What are Setbacks and Easements?
When you choose a homesite, you'll want to know where your home and other structures can sit on the property. Understanding the location of Setbacks and Easements will help you with that!
Just a few Key Terms to Know
Property Line:
* The boundary that separates your property from the next property or public space. The corners are marked by property pins driven into the ground.
Setback:
* A preset distance between your property line and where you can place your home or structure. Setbacks are established by the city or county.
Easement:
* A portion of your property that is generally set aside for drainage and utility services. You own the easement area and can use it for many purposes, except for structures and digging.
Setbacks
Setbacks follow city or county planning requirements and apply to each homesite. They help you understand where your home, shed, garage, or other structures can be placed on your property. Setbacks start at your property lines and extend toward the middle of the homesite.
Setbacks exist for several reasons, including:
* Road access and visibility. Front setbacks keep homes positioned back from the roadway for proper visibility when exiting your property.
* Utility access. Setbacks give utility providers adequate space for utility services and accessibility just in case maintenance or service is required.
* Fire safety. Adequate spacing between homes helps prevent fire from spreading from one home to the next in an emergency.
* Drainage. Setbacks leave room for water to drain properly away from your home to help avoid structural issues.
Easements
There are several types of easements, each set aside for a specific purpose. The two you'll see most often handle drainage and utility services.
Drainage Easements keep water flowing in the right direction and at an appropriate pace.
Utility Easements are necessary to bring utility services to your homesite and can still offer plenty of functionality.
Here is what is generally welcome inside a utility easement:
* Grass, mulch, and ground cover
* Low landscaping and flower beds
* Pavers that can be lifted
* Playsets, picnic tables, and above ground BBQ pits and grills
* Some movable storage bins and trash receptacles
* Dog runs and some fencing options
Planning Your Home Placement
When planning the placement of your home, it's important to understand that homesites in the same community can have different setbacks and easements.
Before you finalize your purchase, a Cayetano team member will provide your homesite's dimensions and help you locate your options to place your home.
