So You Want To Build – Where Do You Start?

You will need to know what restrictions are applicable to your building lot location. Your township office is the place to give you all the information you will need to build on your property. The Building Department will advise you who to speak to regarding septic system approvals – you cannot get a building permit without septic approval from your local Health Unit. You will also be given the requirements for your specific zoning, in order to figure out what size and where your house can be placed. Different zones have different setback requirements from property lines. You will also need to know if you own the 66′ road allowance (waterfront lots), this is a strip of land that almost every lake front property has, unless it has been purchased by a previous owner or yourself, it will be owned by the Township and it makes a big difference in your building set-back from the water.

The Township can also advise you on who to see to get entrance approval for your property. If it is a County road you would see the County office for approval, if it is a Township road your approval would come from the Township office and if it is off a Provincial highway, approval would be obtained from the Ministry of Transportation. These approvals are to determine a safe location for your driveway entrance.

Once you know all your set-backs and zoning requirements you can choose a home to fit on your lot. For example; if your lot is only 75′ wide and your zoning requires a min. 10′ side yard on each side, you would be limited to a house that is no wider than 55′, – 50′ to play it safe. Another thought to keep in mind is where out buildings might go ie. a shed, garage or bunkie, in most zones they are only allowed to be located in the rear or side yard, this could effect the width and location of your house. You also have to fit your septic bed in there as well with it’s own setbacks from lot lines, wells and houses. Some good advise it is that if you can get a gravity feed to your septic bed rather than pumping up to it, then do that and then choose a house or cottage that fits in the space left if possible. Large lots of 2 acres + usually have plenty of room for most buildings. It is the smaller properties especially less than 1 acre that get tough to fit everything on.

Tear Downs

If you plan to tear down an existing building you will need to see the township first. The location of the old building may not conform to updated township zoning by-laws and it’s removal without approval would mean you would have to locate the new structure to meet the new set-back requirements. On the smaller lots it can become a very large problem.

ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT BEFORE YOU TEAR DOWN OR BUILD ON YOUR LOT.

You can contact Hydro One to provide you with a Hydro Layout and price once you have determined the location of the home on the property. You have the option of installing a temporary service to aid in the construction of the house or you can wait until the basement is in to have the hydro panel installed. The majority of contractors have generators to supply power until the hydro panel is installed, you can discuss this with your builder and the electrician. If you are friendly with your neighbor you could offer to pay their hydro bill for the month or 2 that you need power and that will save you money compared to a temporary service or use of a generator.

When choosing a property keep in mind that a sloping lot lends itself very well to a walk-out basement and my Practically Green designs. If you have a lot that is close to the water table and you want a full basement you will not have it without a fight and a lot of money. If you have a big slab of bedrock where your house will go you will have to decide if you really want/need a basement. You would have the option of blasting the rock out, or building a foundation on top of it and bringing in fill to protect your footings. Over the years I have learned that Oak, Maple and Birch trees have roots that need more soil but if you see mostly Pine and Cedar, it usually means lots of rock, be it one big slab, or broken up chunks.