Site Research
Layout
Government Regulations
Legal Impairments
Neighbors
Utilities
Physical Conditions
Site Research may be done either before or after purchasing land. We generally do this before or in conjunction with the early phases of design work. As covered in our booklet How to Choose a Site some information should be gathered before land is purchased. For an addition-remodel or for someone who already owns the building site, we look into the following:
- Property Layout:
- Plat map with range, township and tax lot number, available from the county assessor. This map may also be obtained through your real estate agent or title company.
- Surveys that have been done on the individual property, the subdivision, or the partition plat.
- The presence or absence of boundary markings on the property.
- Location of access road. If the property does not abut a public road, the legal access may be on a recorded easement across another property. Make sure it is physically and financially feasable to build a driveway at the location of the legal access.
- Location of trees, shrubs and plants.
- Known buried objects.
- Location of easements.
- Un-buildable areas on the property.
- Location and nature of fill.
- Area for septic system.
- Location of well or planned well.
return to top - Government Regulations:
- Written rules and restrictions from government agencies with authority over the property.
- Laws or codes restricting building rights in natural zones such as water shores, high wind areas, wetlands, flood plains, seismic or slide zones. Geo-technical, engineering, or environmental reports may be required.
- Zoning laws which affect use, height, lot coverage and setbacks.
- Temporary legal conditions, such as moratoriums or land use changes in progress.
- Rules related to a special use, such as a home business or bed-and-breakfast.
- Building permit application procedure.
- Rules on obtaining a variance.
- Septic system approval process.
- Water system rules and approval process.
- Fire rules, tests or inspections which apply to the structure or landscaping.
- Storm drainage rules, tests, engineering, plans or inspections.
- Rules of thumb, conventions, studies, or reports which the local building officials indicate are applicable to the property.
- Special assessments which must be paid by lot owners before building, such as public works fees or road assessments.
- Regulations restricting the cutting of trees and plants.
- Regulations restricting shoreline improvement such as stairs, docks or retaining walls.
- Road approach or private road requirements.
- Applicable building code.
- House address requirements.
- Mailbox requirements.
return to top - Legal Impairments and Restrictions
- Liens recorded against the deed.
- Any other encumbrances on the property.
- Historical societies with jurisdiction over the property.
- Homeowners' associations with jurisdiction over the property.
- The Rights of Neighbors:
- Features shared with neighbors, such as common areas, private roads, fences and shared wells.
- Easements or licenses recorded in favor of neighbors.
- Legal uses which may be made of neighboring properties.
- Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions.
return to top - Utilities:
- Location of the public water main and stub to property line, if any, or community water system. If none, then the feasibility of installing a well.
- Location of the sewer main and stub to property line, if any. If none, then septic system approval and/or permit.
- Location of the nearest electrical, telephone, and cable connection points and the type of connections to be made.
- Availability of natural gas or propane gas.
- Availability of internet connections, and what kind.
- Line-of-sight for satellite reception.
- Any history of electrical power interruptions and power surges and in the area.
- Availability of garbage and recycling services. Burning rules. Dump or transfer station locations.
- Location of the nearest fire hydrant. If none, then whether the property is serviced by a local fire district and with what equipment. The fire district may have requirements relating to your property, for fire prevention or for access, possibly even requiring sprinklers.
- Costs and requirements of the utility companies, including any development or hookup fees, which sometimes run very high.
return to top - Physical Conditions:
- Views and potential views.
- Slope of the road: Is it uphill or downhill from the access road? From the view?
- Sun, wind and storm directions that may determine the preferred orientation of rooms, windows and doors.
- Local weather conditions that may call for special design or methods of construction.
- Local road conditions that may affect access or indicate potential driveway problems.
- Geological conditions, such as a very steep site, which could call for specialized design, engineering, or methods of construction.
- Soil conditions, such as percolation for a septic drain field or stability for a foundation.
- Vegetation on the site and what needs to be cleared to build the house and driveway or to conduct a topographical survey.
- Off-site light or sound requiring special orientation of the house or baffling by trees, fences, or outbuildings.
- Privacy concerns.
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