You should be familiar with the building regulations and laws before starting a home construction project. When preparing to build your ideal house or planning a home restoration or addition project, it is easy to let your imagination and creativity run wild.

The options may seem endless and fascinating as you evaluate and choose builders, architects, and interior designers. However, it is vital to remind yourself to be more of a realist to ensure the best outcome of the project. Consider the legal aspects of the project to avoid any issues that may derail or botch it. 

Lot Approval

Owning a parcel of land does not mean you are totally free to do everything you want with the property. Land laws may vary over the years, and people in the past may not have such rules to follow or have been careless when building structures on a lot. An existing structure on a parcel of land may have been built illegally. 

Fortunately, it is easy to access property records nowadays. Before you start construction, you need to obtain the parcel map, find your Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), and verify if your lot is an approved building site. 

Do an online search to determine where to obtain records in your area. You can also get them at the city hall, city or county department, county recorder's office, county courthouse, or the tax assessor's office. 

Zoning Laws

Zoning laws specify the permissible uses of land and the kinds of structures that can be built on it. Access to zoning information is readily available. 

Inquire with the local zoning office, city hall, or other relevant agencies about how to get zoning information relating to your lot to see if there are restrictions or laws that would prevent you from constructing on your intended site. 

Moreover, get their approval before starting your new home construction project. The building permit, which we will discuss later, is different from this.

Local Ordinances and Covenants

Seemingly minor restrictions and regulations can affect how you construct your. You are responsible for ensuring your planned construction project complies with any enforceable ordinances and covenants.

Even if you get approval to build a specific type of structure in your zone, an ordinance may still limit the height or size of that structure. Obtain an official permit from the local planning commission to ensure the project is in compliance with the local ordinance. Visit the city hall or local housing department to get this information.

Moreover, you should ensure the construction complies with any community covenants if you are building in an area governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA). If you are a homeowner without a copy of the covenants, you can obtain one from your county assessor's office. 

The community's bylaws are not required to be made publicly available. But you can discover the HOA's contact information at the county assessor’s office and ask for a copy.

Building Codes

Building codes are standards concerning the physical structure on the land and its specifics, as opposed to zoning laws, which deal squarely with land usage. Many nations, including the United States, adopt building codes covered by the International Building Code (IBC). These standards provide rules on fire prevention, plumbing, safe electrical wiring, etc. 

A locality adopting the IBC also uses the other codes (National Electric Code and International Plumbing Code) contained in it. Typically, your builder or project engineer will ensure that every aspect of the construction complies with the IBC. 

However, you can also do your research and get information about such codes online. If not, you can visit your local building code office to find the necessary information you need. 

Plans and Permits

Constructing or remodeling a house requires a building permit, and you will need your plans to get approved by the local building office. You must submit pertinent requirements, such as structure drawings, floor plans, measurements, elevation view, and specify the kinds of materials that will be used. 

Take note of the checklist from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to know the process of getting building permits. Discuss with your team regarding who will file the permits, knowing the importance of each permit filed for the project. When building a new house, you will need multiple permits. 

Do not skip this process to avoid legal consequences. If you are the contractor or builder, you will be liable for building-related damages under the law, and you will incur greater sanctions if you do not file the necessary permits. 

Endnote

There are legal considerations you must keep in mind when building a new home. Disregarding the legal aspects of a construction projection may lead to the project not being compliant with rules and regulations. Non-compliance, in turn, can make the owner or the builder legally liable and derail the construction project.