Lot Setbacks & Restrictions - What to Consider When Buying Land for Your Next Home.
You just found the perfect land to build your new custom home on! It’s in the right location. The school district is perfect. The view is spectacular. What more could you ask for? Besides shopping for the best homebuilder to start pouring the foundation, there are a lot of details you’ll need to consider before signing on the dotted line. Below are just a few.
Setbacks, Coverage and Height restrictions: Are there set back restrictions that would limit what you can build? What is the percentage of land that can be covered by a structure in your county? Can you build a second or third floor on your new home without breaking height restrictions?
Zoning and HOA Restrictions: Is your land zoned for residential use? Is the land in a community that has covenants, codes and restrictions? Is there an architectural committee that will need to approve the design and style of your home? Are there restrictions on home size and height?
Water and Sewer: Is public water and sewer available? If not, are you OK with well water and a septic system? Can the property support these needs? All of this should be accessed by a professional.
Power and Gas: Are these utilities available? If they are not, can you tie into existing public utilities?
Location: Is the property accessible? Can you access it from a main road? Can Fire and Rescue reach your home if needed? Will your roads be cleared in inclement weather? Will you receive trash pickup and other services provided by the local county or state?
On the Eastern Shore, there are many restrictions in place to protect the integrity of the land, wildlife and waterways and these regulations are sometimes the most difficult hurdles to clear. What I’m referring to are setbacks and coverage restrictions. Setbacks are defined as the minimum distance from the property line that a structure can be built. Coverage restrictions restrict the amount and placement of impervious surfaces added to a piece of property, and in critical zones this can amount to a lot of your land.
When you begin subtracting restricted footage from your lot, you often end up with a space that isn't as desirable as you had imagined. It’s a good idea to speak to an architectural designer about the lot and the home you want to build, discuss the options that a property presents, and what you can and cannot do with it.
At Paquin Design/Build, these restrictions are commonplace in what we do every day. Our president, Brent Paquin, is passionate about the design process and uses his skills and creativity to design properties that maximize coverage allowances, yet stay within height limitations and other county and state restrictions. With architectural designers and a build team under one roof, the technical knowledge and expertise that Brent has access to has opened doors to homeowners that could not see a possible solution. There’s nothing better than finding a way to deliver someone’s dream.
If you have questions on a lot you currently own or would like assistance choosing land that you can successfully build on, call Paquin Design/Build today. We’ll be happy to help you select a homesite that will pair nicely with the home of your dreams.
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