A construction line determines how far away new construction must be within the lot boundaries.
Also known as a setback line, a building line is the distance between the ends and sides of a city lot beyond which building construction may not extend. The exact location of the construction line is determined by the county in which the lot is located and may vary depending on the local zoning laws that apply to that section of the city. The institution of designated building lines is useful in the planning or positioning of city blocks and streets, connecting these blocks to city streets in commercial and residential areas. From this perspective, a construction line makes it easy to incorporate plans for the inclusion of utility lines, sidewalks, and still maintains a uniform look for the area.
It is important to note that the local jurisdiction determines the type of construction line that will apply to a particular area of the municipality. Generally, building construction in business districts must conform to lines that take into account the need for rail, road, and even pedestrian traffic within the immediate area. Likewise, residential areas will prohibit the construction of fences and other structures along the front of the subdivisions, allowing the opening of sidewalks in these neighborhoods.
While the building line along the frontage of a city lot is likely to be the same for all lots in the immediate area, there may be some exceptions. For example, a municipality might allow a health facility, such as a hospital, to expand construction, such as a covered reception area closer to the street, while requiring a business a few blocks away to limit construction to more remote areas. from the city. batch. The intended use of the structure can play a role in determining the location of the building line, taking into account citizen safety concerns, as well as allowing uniform plastification or mapping of an area layout.
In some nations, it is not uncommon for a construction line to also be identified as provisions in wills or deeds. Housing developments and planned neighborhoods often have some information about where an end result is set for a particular street, making it easier to maintain the appearance of the development. Changing a building line is usually not an easy task, but it can be done with the approval of the local zoning commission. Changes are rarely granted simply because the owner requests them. If the commission determines that granting an exception to allow construction beyond the current line has significant benefits, or that changing the line would in some way improve prospects for a given geographic area of the city, the chances of an adjustment they increase considerably. .