What Size Lot Do I Need To Build My Dream Home?

If you are building a home, it is important to know the building constraints on your property.  This will tell you how big or small your house can be.  This can be looked at two different ways.  The first is if you have a house plan picked out and are now looking at property.  The second is if you have purchased the land and are now looking at house plans.

In order to figure out what lot size you need, all you need to know is the size of the house (length and width, including all roof overhangs, exterior stairs and porches) and the site setbacks for the particular lot you are looking at.  The site setback information can be obtained from your city or county's planning department and is dependent on the zoning of the lot.

We're going to discuss this using our 2470 sf Island Cottage with Piling Foundation as an example. The size of the 2470 sf Island Cottage with Piling Foundation (including all exterior stairs and porches) is 77'-2" L x 55'-8" W.  (The sizes of our Southern Cottages homes can be seen on the ground floor plan of each Southern Cottages house on our website.)

Ground Floor Plan of the 2470 sf Island Cottage with Piling Foundation

For example, if your lot has a 25' front yard setback, a 25' rear yard setback and 10' side yard setbacks you would need a lot that is 127'-2" L x 75'-8" W in order to build the 2470 sf Island Cottage with Piling Foundation.

Sometimes uncovered stairs and some roof overhangs are allowed to encroach into the setbacks, but that is something you will need to verify with your local planning department.  That could allow your lot to be a little smaller.

Let us help you create a building to serve your needs at www.mcleodarchitect.com.
View our architect designed house plans at www.southerncottages.com.