Building

Building a house or making an improvement to your property.

If you are considering making improvements to your property such as building a new home, adding to your home, building a swimming pool, installing landscaping, etc, there are a number of things you need to take into account.

To own your own home is part of the American dream, Conswtruction something to look forward to and anticipate. However, building on a parcel of land can have negative effects on the environment and neighborhood in which it is built. There has been an increasing awareness in society about the impact of buildings on public facilities like schools, roads, police and fire protection. Studies have show there can be negative effects in the environment like increased runoff and pollutants eventually entering the Chesapeake bay. As a result there has been a tremendous increase in regulations on building and development.

Citizen associations, environmental groups, and other interested citizens have brought pressure on government to increasingly regulate building for not only large builders, but also as individuals building just one house. While those new regulations have helped the environment, in some cases, it has also brought severe limitations on what and where a property owner can build on his own property.

Pool Besides having building plans drawn, selecting a contractor, and arranging finances, you will need to obtain approval from government agencies and in some cases community review boards. This article will assist you in understanding that process.

1. You need to consider where the exact boundary lines of your property are. We have seen property owners construct houses, additions, swimming pools, fences, etc, across boundary lines, building restriction lines, and critical area lines, etc. Why, would they do such a foolish thing? They would do such a foolish thing because they “thought” they knew where their boundary lines were. Using markers pointed out when they purchased their property they proceeded to build. Only later, did they sadly find the true boundary lines were not where they thought they were (see “Boundary Survey”)

2. If you are putting on an addition or deck, have your house location done with a boundary survey so we can obtain an accurate measurement from the building to property lines. In some cases this will determine how big your addition will be after leaving room for the proper building restriction line. (Minimum distance new additions can be from the property line). Do not use a regular location survey you received at settlement for this.

3. The next thing to do is to check with your county agencies to see a site, grading, or plot plan will be required. A site or plot plan shows the topography of your property, (the proposed structure is shown, along with how the lot will be graded, how storm drainage, storm water management and erosion and sediment control will be handled. Things such as septic areas, wells, and conservation areas, etc, are also shown. See our information links for government contact information.

If you need any assistance with this give us a call, we will be happy to help you.

4. Assuming you do need a site plan, plot plan, or grading plan, contact us early before you have detailed building plans drawn. Often the size and shape of the proposed building or addition will be at least partly determined by regulations. The following is a Building Plan partial list of constraints you may have on your property:

· Building restriction line- these are minimum distances your structure must stay away from your properties’ boundary lines. They can be different for front, rear and side lines.

· Maximum impervious area

· Maximum lot coverage

· Steep slope restrictions (conservation area)

· Setbacks from tidal and non-tidal wetland buffer areas

· Septic area requirements both primary and alternates

· Well set backs ( both you and neighbors

· Critical area requirements

· Storm water management requirements

· Grading and storm drainage requirements

· Erosion and sediment control

· Easements for access, utilities, etc

· Forest restoration areas

· Bog protection areas House

Each property is unique, what applies to one property may not apply to another. A site plan done on your property will not be exactly like any other property.

Your property will be reviewed by numerous county and state agencies. In addition if you are on a state highway or are disturbing wetlands or buffers, state and possibly federal agencies will review your plans.

Contact us to prepare your site plan, we will be happy to help you.