Whether big or small, definitely it is pleasing to own a property. It is like a territory where you have control of what to do, although you have to concede also that there are limitations in it. You have to respect other territories or the greater good of your community. This is also the concern on how far or close to the property line you can build your carport.
The Common Rules
Based on some building codes, constructing a carport five feet away from the property line is allowed. This is particularly applicable if it is freestanding, positioned in the side or at the rear, less than 8 feet tall, and occupies a smaller area. The front part is a relatively complex matter. If it faces a big road, you are required to put a wider setback. This is also the case for an attached carport since its distance is linked to the house.
To be safe on measurement, always remember that each state has specific laws on building accessory structures. It is worth it if you visit your local government’s building and zoning codes review division. Your query leads to getting the exact details of the distance of your carport from the boundary.
Even if you are just contemplating building a carport, getting a copy of your land survey map is very helpful now. It can unmask a probably serious concern about your property line. And if you can face that head-on, then you can also fast-track the approval of your carport later.
Issues in property line
The definition of the property line is pretty simple but it may not be clearly defined between two parties or even for the entire neighborhood. The presence of fences can help, but someone can still dispute over a property with or without it. The main point here is still about what is stated on the land survey map or perhaps, the land use agreement.
In terms of land use, you have to be familiar with the prescriptive easement or giving a person or people the right to use a property owned by another person. This agreement settles the right to use, but legally the property belongs to the owner. The prescriptive easement has two types—gross and appurtenant. An Easement in Gross is allowing an individual to use a land area. This is somewhat fixed for life and a non-transferable right. However, the easement agreement can be canceled if the legal owner sells the property. An appurtenant easement, also known as “running with the land,” is the legal agreement to use a land area to connect or pass to a property. An example of this is permitting you to use a part of your neighbor’s property for your carport’s driveway. Typically, this is irrevocable even if the owner sells the land.
Adverse possession, on the other hand, is acknowledging that ownership belongs to a user who adversely, notoriously, continuously, and solely owns the land portion for 15 to 20 years or more (depends on the state). Some people use it to defy land ownership based on what is stated in the land survey.
Another important consideration when planning to build a metal carport is to secure the required building permits.
