For any residential construction in Columbia, you need to know your district’s setback and zoning rules, as they dictate where you can build, what you can build, and how far the structure must be from the property line.
Columbia’s setback and zoning rules differ from district to district. We can confirm the front, rear, and side setback distances in your district and keep them in mind when planning the house’s size and footprint on the lot. Violating setback and zoning rules for custom homes can lead to fines and other consequences, which we help homeowners avoid.
Bring your vision for a custom home in Columbia, South Carolina to life by contacting Blythe Custom Homes through our website.
What Are the Columbia, SC Zoning Rules for Custom Homes?
The zoning rules you have to follow when building a custom home in Columbia depend on the specific district you are building in, which we can confirm for you.
You can only build a single-family custom home in certain parts of Columbia because of zoning rules and restrictions. This type of structure can only exist in one of the area’s nine residential zoning districts.
Columbia has several “overlay” districts that allow single-family homes and other residential construction, but building in overlay districts generally allows for less customization.
Zoning rules control land use, building scale, and placement. Zoning permits are required before you can start construction on a custom build, meaning building plans must get zoning approval.
What Are the Columbia, SC Setback Rules for Custom Homes?
Setback rules are part of zoning and also vary from district to district. However, their purpose remains the same: to provide privacy and leave enough space for public safety concerns.
Setbacks are the minimum distance allowed between a structure and its property line. Setback rules vary from zoning district to zoning district in Columbia, and we can consider the rules in your area when planning the placement and size of a new custom build.
The minimum setback, or distance between the property line and the home itself, is assessed from all sides of the structure, including the front and back. Side setbacks are generally smaller than rear and front setbacks, although that is district-dependent.
How Do Setback and Zoning Rules Affect Custom Builds in Columbia, SC?
Zoning and setback rules affect the overall design and placement of houses, so they must be considered during the initial planning stages of custom builds in South Carolina.
Exterior and Interior House Planning
Local setback rules determine the buildable area on your lot, which affects the size of your home. Zoning rules can also set building restrictions on a structure’s size and height, affecting the planning process and the layout of the home.
If plans cannot get zoning approval, they must be amended and resubmitted for approval before you can begin any construction work without risking stop-work orders or fines.
House Placement on Lot
As mentioned, you can generally build a custom home only in a residential zoning district. While several overlay districts in Columbia allow residential construction, there may be less room for customization in these areas.
What Setback and Zoning Rules for Custom Builds Apply to Me?
Even within Columbia setback and zoning rules can vary dramatically from district to district. This means the rules that apply to you and your property may be completely different from those that apply to a friend on the other side of the city. You must know your specific setback and zoning rules, which we can identify for you.
To determine the exact setback and zoning rules that apply to your custom build, we need the location of your lot. This tells us which residential zoning district you are in, which in turn determines the regulations for front, rear, and side setbacks for main buildings and accessory dwelling structures.
FAQs About Setback and Zoning Rules for Custom Builds
What if You Don’t Follow Setback and Zoning Rules in Columbia, SC?
Not following setback and zoning rules puts you at risk of incurring expensive fines, facing stop-work orders, and being unable to secure any building permits for residential construction. Any work that violates zoning rules may also be destroyed.
Why Are Setback Rules in Place?
Setback rules are in place for public safety, privacy, and to manage neighborhood density, so following them is important.
Can You Change Setback and Zoning Rules?
You may be able to get an exception to setback or zoning rules by requesting a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals in Columbia, which we can help with in certain cases.
Is Anything Allowed in Setback Areas?
Major parts of the home’s structure generally aren’t allowed in designated setback areas. Still, small accessory structures, architectural features, and landscaping may be fine as long as they are a certain distance from the property line. However, we will check to make sure that’s true before moving forward with such plans.
How Do Front, Rear, and Side Setbacks Vary?
Front and rear setbacks are generally the largest, with side setbacks being the smallest, sometimes only several feet, depending on the area.
How Do You Know Which Setback and Zoning Rules Apply to You in Columbia, SC?
When we plan and build your custom home in Columbia, we can determine which setback and zoning rules apply, so you don’t have to worry about obtaining a zoning permit or starting construction.
How Can You Follow Setback and Zoning Rules without Issue?
When you trust us to handle the construction of your new custom home in South Caroline, we will follow applicable setback and zoning rules to avoid fines, stop-work orders, and other consequences of violating local building rules.
Build a Custom House in Columbia, SC with Us
Plan your new build with Blythe Custom Homes in Lexington, South Carolina, and go to our website today.
