Zoning Considerations Before Building Steel Buildings

When thinking about building, whether steel buildings or conventional construction, it is important to check the zoning requirements of the property where the building is to go up.  The most common zoning approach, Euclidean zoning, named after the town of Euclid, Ohio, where it was first implemented, regulates development through land use classifications.  Common land use classifications are single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, institutional, industrial and recreational. The planning goals of Euclidian zoning are to provide for orderly growth, to prevent overcrowding, to alleviate congestion, and to separate incompatible uses, such as making sure that a noisy factory cannot be built near a residential neighborhood. Euclidian Zoning also regulates the height, bulk and area of structures, which you may find in the form of setbacks, side yards, height limits, minimum lot sizes, and lot coverage limits. All of these zoning requirements may affect the success of your metal building construction project. Therefore, it is important to check with your local planning department to find out what local zoning codes apply before you build.

Generally, agricultural use buildings are exempt from requiring a permit if they are beyond the city limits on farms and ranches. However, agricultural buildings still must comply with building codes for that area. If the local zoning ordinances don’t allow for the particular steel building you want to put up, you can try to modify the proposed building to fit the current zoning regulations; or you can look for land not subject to the zoning requirements. Often you can find a suitable property not far from where you originally intended to build, such just beyond the city limits, where zoning laws are typically not as stringent or complex. If all else fails and zoning laws do not permit you to put up your steel building in the location you desire, depending on your locality, you can apply for a variance, a conditional use or non-conforming use permit for your planned steel building.