Land Use Obstacles

My biggest obstacle to building my new modular home is WHAT???
Land-use, zoning, and permitting for your new modular home may prove to be your biggest obstacle!

Why?
There are many laws, ordinances, rules and regulations that govern the home building process. You may encounter a number of issues that will need to be addressed prior to purchasing land, obtaining your building permit or designing and ordering your new home.

We can help!
Custom Modular Designs, LLC can help guide you through the land-use and permitting process. If you need to hire a land-use professional then we can refer you to a number of land use professionals who can assist you with the hurdles associated with the land-use, zoning and permitting process of building a modular home. If you have not yet purchased land it is important to speak with us before your enter into a Purchase and Sales Agreement! Custom Modular Designs, LLC can assist you in finding the right land-use and real estate professionals to help before or after you have purchased land. A number of issues must be completed before you design and order your new modular home.

The following is an illustrious list of tasks that may need to be completed prior to purchasing or building on a lot:

1. Physical Lot Inspection.
2. Lot size, shape, setback requirements (side, rear and front yard) and lot coverage restrictions
   a) All of these factors will determine the "footprint" or "building envelope" of your new modular home.
3. Lot road frontage.
   a) If your lot lacks the required road frontage then you may need to apply for a variance or special exception to build your modular home.
4. Allowable use of the lot in accordance with zoning.
   a) If your lot is not zoned for your intended use then you may have to apply for a use variance
5. Height of your modular home.
   a) Most if not all cities and towns have ordinances that will restrict the height of your home. This can greatly impact the design of your modular home.
6. Survey and/or plot plan requirements.
   a) Do you need a survey of your lot? Usually at least a plat plan is required to obtain your building permit to construct your modular home.
7. ISDS or public sewer.
   a) Is public sewer available for your lot? If yes then where is the nearest connection point? If public sewer is not available then you will need an approved septic system design. The type of the septic system will determine the ultimate cost of the septic system.
8. Well or public water.
   a) Is public water available for your lot? If yes then where is the nearest connection point? If public water is not available then you will need a private well.
9. Ground water table.
   a) What is the ground water table? A high water table may prevent you from installing a full basement for your modular home or will require a dewatering system.
10. Coastal properties.
    a) If your lot is located near the ocean or any extension thereof then you may need to apply for approvals with Coastal Resource Management.
11. Wetlands.
    a) Is any portion of your lot subject to state or federal wetlands jurisdiction?
12. Ledge, rock, and soil conditions.
    a) Is ledge present in your building area? The presence of ledge and other unsuitable material will impact the cost of your modular building project.
13. Impact fees.
    a) Many municipalities charge an impact fee for new home construction. Does your local municipality charge an impact fee? If yes then what will be the amount of your impact fee?
14. Moratoriums or caps on the issuance of building permits.
    a) Some municipalities have building moratoriums or caps on the issuance of building permits. Does the municipality where your lot is located have any moratoriums or caps currently in force or planned for the future?