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Pre-engineered Steel Buildings: 5 Things to Consider When Buying Land

Pre-engineered Steel Buildings: 5 Things to Consider When Buying Land

Finding the right land is an important step when planning pre-engineered steel buildings.

Before people erect pre-engineered steel buildings, one of the first things they need to do is secure a piece of land. If you don’t already own a parcel, it’s worth conducting thorough research to ensure it meets all of your requirements, while satisfying national, provincial and local building regulations.

There are many factors that will influence your decision, and this article is intended to address some of the most common ones.

 

  1. Define the Vision for Your Building

Before you begin scouring the countryside for a suitable piece of land, look at your building design and determine the type of land you require in terms of:

  • Lot size
  • Access
  • Location

Whether the land will house large steel warehouse buildings or small steel barns, when armed with a clear understanding of what you need you can better refine your search parameters to locate the ideal property.

Of course, you’ll also need to calculate a budget when choosing land. This, combined with steel building prices, will likely represent the bulk of your capital investment for the project.

To learn more about the cost of pre-engineered steel buildings, read: Industrial Steel Buildings: 5 Factors that Affect Cost Planning.

 

  1. Zoning

When researching available land options, you’ll need to ensure it is properly zoned for your intended use. For instance, if you want to erect pre-engineered steel buildings for light industrial use, but the land you’ve identified isn’t designated for that purpose in the local zoning bylaws, there is little chance you will receive a building permit. 

Local zoning bylaws contain guidelines that dictate:

  • What you can build on a property
  • Where you can build on a property
  • Parking and access requirements
  • Intended use

There are ways to apply for rezoning or a property variance, but you will be at the mercy of the local council’s decision. Plus, it can take considerable time for the process to work itself out.

 

  1. Building Setbacks

Your local municipality’s zoning bylaws will contain a section on property setbacks. These establish the minimum distance required between your building and the property line, as well as any place that might require additional protection, such as: 

  • Roadways
  • Bodies of water
  • Public utilities

So, while a property might appear to have enough space for your building, it’s possible that a setback requirement will hinder your plans.

 

  1. Lot Coverage

Most zoning bylaws contain a provision to regulate maximum lot coverage. This is typically calculated as a percentage of the coverage area of the building, compared to the total lot size. Different governments calculate this differently, and it’s important you use the right formula to meet their standards.

 

  1. Physical Barriers

Unique landscape features are another potential obstacle for land development. A good example would be a riparian area—such as a fish-bearing stream—that borders a property. Environmentally sensitive areas such as this are protected under law by various government bodies and need to be approached with careful consideration.

 

Looking for a building company with a thorough understanding of zoning bylaws and other development regulations governing pre-engineered steel buildings? Call Metal Structure Concepts to talk to one of our expert estimators.