As the population of Edmonton continues to expand, homebuilders are looking for ways to get the most out of their communities. In the past, regulations have specified a home must have a definite amount of space on either side – creating awkward side yards that often don’t get a lot of use.

So what Is A Zero Lot Line? A zero lot line house is a residential property that comes up to or lies on the home’s property line. This means that instead of the home being placed in the middle of a property or yard, with setbacks on both sides, a “zero lot line” home is aligned on the edge of the property boundary.

Zero lot line building is attractive because you lose less land to setbacks and get more control over the footprint of your home. For example, if indoor living space is what you need – you can allocate more of your property towards getting an ideal floor plan. These zero lot line homes can have some great advantages over traditional homes, but would one of these models be right for you?

Let’s take a look at some of the other advantages, disadvantages, and features of Zero Lot Line homes.

Build A Bigger Home

One of the most obvious advantages of a zero lot line home is that it allows you to use the extra space on the lot – in a traditional layout, a home would have a small amount of yard space on each side of it, whereas with a zero lot line layout, the home is built right up to the edge of the lot on one side, and has a five-foot yard on the other side. 

This is especially advantageous if you’re planning on building a brand-new home from scratch, as it allows you to incorporate the extra space right into your design.

Save Money Compared To A Regular Lot

The other primary advantage of a zero lot line home is it can be a lot more economical than a home on a standard lot. By using less space for the building, you can get a great deal on a new home by saving on the price of the lot, without having to sacrifice anything when it comes to the size of the home itself. 

You can use the money you’ll save on buying your home to put towards some extra upgrades, so you’ll really feel like you’re getting more bang for your buck. These savings also make a zero lot line a perfect choice for someone looking for their first home. 

Less Yard Maintenance

Zero lot line homes are also a great option for busy families, as you’ll have to spend a lot less time maintaining your yard. People can sometimes find traditional layouts a little awkward when it comes to maintaining the small four-foot sections on either side of the home. With a zero lot line home, you’ll only have a single, larger side yard to worry about, which means more time to spend with the family and less time working on the garden!

How much separation is between homes?

One of the common questions people have when it comes to zero lot line homes is what distance is between the neighbouring homes. There is a minimum of five feet between each building. With modern building materials and techniques, noise and priv from the neighbouring buildings won’t be an issue.

As builders of duplexes and townhomes as well as single-family homes, here at Sterling we know how to build homes that offer the maximum amount of peace and privacy.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Zero Lot Line Homes?

There are a few other minor adjustments and changes that need to be made to accommodate a zero lot line home, such as:

• There will be some restrictions when it comes to adding a side entrance to a zero lot line home – you can’t have an entrance that you need to go onto someone else’s property to access. A door is allowed on the easement side of the property, as long as it meets the appropriate fire safety rating. 
• Similarly, there will be some restrictions when it comes to adding windows to the side of the home – this is to maintain privacy between the neighbouring buildings. 
• A zero lot line will also affect the layout of the home’s basement, as the furnace and mechanical room are required to be on the side that can be accessed from the yard.

Overall, zero lot line homes offer many distinct advantages, whether you’re a first-time buyer, a young family looking for a place that offers space and affordability, or an older homeowner looking to downsize to something that’s more convenient to maintain. Come talk to one of our Area Managers today to see which neighbourhoods currently offer a zero lot line as an option.

Photo credits: depositphotos.com

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