Planning Tips
Designing & Building your Vacation Cottage

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THE BUILDING SITE:
(Page 1 of 5)

• The first design consideration should be based on the physical limitations of the building site.

• What are the physical lot dimensions and building setback lines? What setbacks do you have for the front, sides and rear lot lines?
  
  
• What legal or utility easements do you have and do you need to stay away from them or can you build within them, or over them?
  
  
• What is the maximum "buildable area" you can build the structure within? To do this, get the lot's dimensions and setbacks, as well as the zoning code setbacks.
  
  
• Will the cottage "footprint" size fit, or can be modified to fit?
  
  
• Can you overlap any of the structure into a setback or easement? You might need to consider how cantilevers are handled if the plan you would like has one. A cantilever is an overhang extension of living area or deck that projects out from a building and is not supported by a pier or post connecting to the ground. A cantilever can be as little as 12 inches or as much as 12 feet, if properly engineered.

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More Planning Tips:

1. The Building Site
2. Selecting a Cottage Plan
3. The Approval Process
4. Cottage Living Tips