How zoning can impact property owners planning to build. A blog series by Wayne Branum, AIA
Over many years of practicing architecture in Minnesota and Wisconsin I have been surprised by how many property owners are not fully informed about the issues involved with building new or remodeling their properties, especially on bodies of water. In this blog series I plan to provide some basic information I hope will help and inform property owners who may be thinking about building in the future.
The first and I think the most important item to know is your property is unique. Do not assume you can do something because others in your neighborhood have. Zoning ordinances are not static, they are always being refined and new rules are being added. You need to understand what governing body has jurisdiction over your property and then find out which ordinances apply to your property. You can do this by visiting with your local zoning official. I recommend you also read the applicable ordinances yourself. Most communities have web sites with links to their ordinances online.
ADDITIONS AND REMODELS:
What to look for if you have a building and wish to add on or remodel:
Not all of your property will be available to use. You will be restricted to the area inside the setbacks. A setback is the distance from a property line to where a building can be placed. A typical lot will have a road setback, side yard setbacks and a setback from the water line. In addition to the basic setbacks there will be a limit on the height of the building. Most lots also have area limits on the amount of impervious surfaces. Lots on water typically are more restrictive on this so there can be the greatest amount of exposed surface to capture or filtrate water before it can drain into the body of water you are on. Is your home older and was it built prior to many of the current ordinances? You may have a sub standard situation in which additional zoning restrictions will apply. Determine if you are in a substandard condition first. If you are the substandard ordinances apply first and then the standard ordinances will apply if your situation allows.
Most if not all of the relevant information can be obtained by having a contour survey done for your property. It is very likely that the municipality you live in will require this document in order to apply for a planning review or a building permit. It is also very important for a designer to have this document to aid in the design process. With survey in hand you are now ready to contemplate your options for modifying or enlarging your building. Imagine all the possibilities, but within the limits apply to your situation. If conforming is not possible you may need to consider a variance from the ordinances. That is covered in another installment of this series.
This post is the first in a series that Wayne will be writing about on the impact of zoning ordinances in regards to building on water. With decades of award winning experience in architecture, Wayne has come across many obstacles with such projects and has plenty of advice on how to avoid them. If you're thinking of building or remodeling on water, you won't want to miss the next installment coming soon! If you'd like to see more about Wayne, stop by his profile page!