Design Your Own Home Free Tutorial
Module 2 Zoning Laws
This is Module 2 of the design your own home free tutorial. These modules are best read in order. This tutorial covers complete house design from initial site analysis through to creating construction drawings. If you are just starting out, go to the:
Design My Home Tutorial Introduction
or
Site Analysis
Tutorial Module 1
Residential Home Design Zoning LawsBefore you can start to design your own home you must investigate your local residential home design zoning laws to determine exactly what you are allowed to build on your land. You dont want to spend hours on a house design you could never get approved to build.There are a few ways of finding your local zoning regulations.Contact the building inspector at your local city hall or regional office.Search online for published residential zoning laws for your city or region.
Your local zoning by-laws will state:
Required setbacks from the street, rear and side lot lines.Any height restrictions.Any restrictions on the percentage of land your home and outbuildings are allowed to cover.Any restrictions on the style of home you are allowed to build.Any restrictions on operating a business out of your home.
Adding Zoning Regulations to your Site MapNow, on your site map,
Draw the setback lines for the front, rear and side lot lines. The setback distance refers to how far from each property line (front, side, and rear) that you are allowed to build your home. Remember that the setbacks usually pertain to decks, porches and even roof overhangs. The zoning regulations will state what must lie within the setbacks. Sometimes corner lots have different setbacks for the street side lot line.
Next, on the margins of the map:Write out any other restrictions for the land. For instance, if the house can only cover 30% of the available land, write this down. If the lot is small or size restrictions may be an issue, calculate roughly what size house you can build. Note any height or style restrictions your community may have.
Next Module Planning Outdoor SpacesWith your map in hand, now its time to:
Plan Your Outdoor Spaces
Tutorial Module 3
Jump from the free Design Your Own Home tutorial Module 2 to the Tutorial Introduction
Jump to The House Plans Guide Home Page
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