El Segundo Home Buyers: 4 Key Property Setback Tips | Blog

4 Things Every El Segundo Home Buyer Should Know About Property Setbacks

What is a property 'Setback'? And how does it pertain to an exterior remodel?

A property set-back is the distance between a structure and the property line. There are several types of setbacks, such as a front yard setback or a zoning setback for a side or rear yard. It defines how much space you need to leave between a dwelling and a curb, property line, or other structure.

1. Every city has different setback requirements and building codes.

Hire an agent that is familiar with the local codes, so when looking at homes, you can understand what you potentially can or cannot do.

One of my favorite building codes in El Segundo is the front porch code. Code allows porches to encroach into the front yard setback to within 16 feet of the property line. The porch cannot exceed 50% of the width of the structure, not the lot. That is a very important little detail to keep in mind when walking a property for the first time.

In Southern California, we don't have a lot of extra square footage to work with. As a real estate team, we help our clients visualize the potential of every listing, and find ways to utilize every inch of a property.

2. There are setbacks on all sides of your property.

Every property has setbacks. Side yard setbacks are 10% the width of the lot not to exceed 6 feet except on lots less than 40 feet wide. Those lots are allowed to have narrower side yard setbacks. Rear yard setbacks are typically 5 feet to accommodate utilities. Front yard setbacks start at the property line and 22 feet is typical for El Segundo. It is very important to know where the property line begins. Some property lines start at the curb face, some start anywhere from 5-10 feet inward from the curb face. This information can be obtained from our local El Segundo Public Works Department.

3. Setback requirements for main buildings are different from setbacks for detached structures, AKA detached garage.

The setback requirements that are in place for the main house or an attached garage may be different than the restrictions imposed on accessory structures, like a detached garage, shed, or workshop. While the exact setback line differs from property to property and even from town to town, these restrictions help to protect your property and your neighbors’ properties from potential problems. In many instances detached garages built in the 40's and 50's in El Segundo sit on the property line or the eaves of the garages are on the property line. This is referred to as a "Legal Non-conforming" condition. You can keep the garage where it is, but if you tear it down you will be required to move it to todays code requirement which is 3 feet off the property line for a detached garage.

4. If setback requirements aren’t met, homeowners can be forced to make expensive alterations to structures on their property.

Building without proper permits has many potential pit falls. One very expensive issue would be building inside the setbacks without proper permitting. The are times we come upon upgrades owners have made to their properties that they completed without the required permits. The risk here is if you were to go through the process to legally permit an addition to your home the city could require you to return the non permitted work done inside the setback back to its proper form.

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4 Things Every El Segundo Home Buyer Should Know About Property Setbacks

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4 Things Every El Segundo Home Buyer Should Know About Property Setbacks

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