Thread: Question on Small Lot

Wanted to get some feedback, I am looking at buying a beachouse. The lots is .13 of an acre about 5509 sqft. The existing house is a two bedroom about 1200 sqft, I want to add about 1800 sqft to it. My architecht said there is certain coastal regulations, and obviously the setbacks we need to look into. Does anyone think this is possible to get somethng around 3000 sqft on this small of a lot? Also if anyone has pics of a house around this size on a small lot that would be great. Thanks. Couple pics of the house.

depends on regulations, but I definitely see it as being possible. Look up modern homes in places such as Newport or Laguna Beach, both in California. I have seen many homes on lots that sound similar to the same size as yours.

depends on local zoning codes

Sometimes they go by footprint. so with multilevels and overhangs you can probably achieve it.

yep it can physically be done, we do it in Cali all the time, the question is going to be what are the regs?
What is the dimension of the lot?
What is the side set backs?
What is the rear set back?
What is the front set back?
What is the height restrictions?
What does the soils report say, can you build down?
New drainage requirements vs. old? How much change do they consider a remodel to remain grandfathered in to old regs?

PM me the address and include the county and state, I'll pull it up!

Found this for what its worth. This property is zone r5. F. R-5 MULTI-FAMILY, MEDIUM DENSITY DESIGN DISTRICT
1. Purpose. The purpose of this district is to set aside and protect areas which have been or may be developed predominantly for medium density multi-family dwellings of various types. Certain other uses are also permitted as-of-right or by Special Exception subject to adequate conditions and safeguards. It is intended that new development permitted in this district be harmonious and compatible with existing buildings. It is hereby found and declared further that these regulations are necessary to the protection of these areas and that their protection is essential to the maintenance of a balanced community of sound residential areas of diverse types.
2. Procedure. All projects located on lots of 30,000 square feet or more, and all applications for R-5 Special Exception uses shall be subject to approval of site and architectural plans by the Zoning Board. R-5 projects located on lots of less than 30,000 square feet shall be subject to review and approval by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
3. Permitted Uses, as-of-right. In any R-5 district a building or other structure may be erected, altered, arranged, designed or used, and a lot or structure may be used as-of-right for any of the following purposes and no other:
a. Dwelling - single family, two family and multifamily.
b. Public parks and playgrounds.
c. Public schools.
d. Passenger terminals and stations.
e. Family day care homes.
4. Permitted Uses, Special Exception. The following uses shall be permitted by Special Exception; the same uses and in the same manner as are permitted by Special Exception in the R-6 district and in addition:
a. Colleges and Dormitories.
b. Historic Site.
c. Public and Charitable Agencies.
d. Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations and Masts.
e. Hospital Complex
5. Building Regulations
a. Minimum Lot Area: One Family Dwelling: 5000 sq. ft.
Two Family Dwelling: 6000 sq. ft.
Multi-family Dwelling: 9000 sq. ft.
On lots of at least 5,000 sq. ft. but less than 6,000 sq. ft., there may be located by conversion a second dwelling unit in a single family dwelling existing as of June 24, 1986 or constructed or last modified as to total floor area at least five (5) years prior to the date of application under this section. Such second dwelling unit shall be limited to one (1) bedroom and no more than three (3) additional rooms, and may occupy the
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existing unexpanded useable floor area of any single floor, or if created by expansion shall be limited to 700 sq. ft. of useable area. Building coverage (footprint) of the principal building shall not be increased by the conversion or subsequent to the conversion, except for exterior stairways required by the Building Code. Three (3) off-street, suitably screened and landscaped parking spaces shall be provided for such converted dwellings, two of which may be provided in tandem.
b. Minimum Frontage:
One or Two Family Dwelling: 50 ft.
Multi-family dwelling,
lot area less than 30,000 sf.: 60 ft.
lot area 30,000 sf. or more: 150 ft.
c. Maximum Building Coverage, all Buildings: 30%
d. Maximum Building Height:
1 or 2 Family Dwelling: 2 1/2 stories, may not exceed 30'
Multi-family Dwellings: 3 stories, may not exceed 40'
e. Minimum Yards: Front - 20 ft., Rear - 30 ft.
Side - 1 or 2 family dwelling: at least 6 ft. each side.
Multi-family dwelling: Six feet (6') plus 6 inches (6") for
each foot of length of an individual building over forty-five
(45'), measured parallel to the side lot line, not to exceed
fifteen (15') feet. (99-004).
f. Minimum Lot Area per Dwelling Unit:
For all lots 30,000 square feet or more there shall be at least 2,500 square feet of lot area per dwelling.
For all lots less than 30,000 square feet there shall be at least 3,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit.
g. Below Market Rate Requirement: On lots with an area of 30,000 square feet or more not utilizing any bonus density, not less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of dwelling units shall be offered for rent or sale as Below Market Rate (BMR) units. By application for special exception, the Zoning Board may approve a bonus density not to exceed 22 dwelling units per acre on lots with an area of 30,000 square feet or more, provided that an additional number of units shall be offered for rent or sale as BMR units and any existing subsidized dwelling units on site shall be retained or replaced pursuant to a plan approved by the Zoning Board. Projects utilizing bonus density shall provide BMR units totaling not less than ten percent (10%) of the density permitted in Section 9-F-5(f) plus one-fifth (1/5th) of the bonus density utilized.
For projects utilizing bonus density, where non-subsidized housing will be demolished or was previously demolished within the three (3) year period preceding the filing of
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the application, additional BMR units shall be provided equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the number of units demolished provided that the Zoning Board may exclude those units with a market rent or sale value greater than 150% of current BMR rent/sale limits.
Required Below Market Rate units shall be affordable to households earning not more than fifty percent (50%) of the Stamford SMSA Median income and shall be provided in accordance with the standards, definitions and procedures contained within Article III, Section 7.4 of these Regulations.
h. On lots with an area of 30,000 square feet or more utilizing the bonus density set forth in subsection (g) above, the Zoning Board may approve the following modifications of R-5 development standards:
i) front setback from street center may be reduced or waived.
ii) useable open space shall be provided on-site, with the amount, location and design of such open space subject to determination and approval of the Zoning Board.
iii) maximum building coverage percentage may be increased to 33% if a one-car enclosed garage is provided for each unit or increased to 35% if a two-car enclosed garage is provided for each unit.
iv) the requirements of Article III, Section 7-K may be reduced or waived. (203-10)
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