A note in the March 2006 JLC (just arrived today). From “In the news” pg 36, and I quote the complete text:
“A house built 7 feet too close to the street must be taken down, baltimore City Court judge Alfred Nance ruled in December. Channel WBAL reports that the builder, CK Williams, has declared bankruptcy, leaving homeowner Deanna Malone with just two options: Move the house or sell for a loss and start over somewhere else.”
You have to wonder how the BI could miss 7 feet during the construction process.
“When asked if you can do something, tell’em “Why certainly I can”, then get busy and find a way to do it.” T. Roosevelt
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Oh, that's not that farfetched... One city service here signed off on the design, signed off on two rough inspections, then failed the install on the final inspection. Presumably, the failure had a lot to do with the new inspector that came on before the final and deciding to put his stamp on the project, so to speak.
Moving the house is cheap. Building a new foundation (if required) is not.
Fast Eddie....."with just two opitions" ....how about a third , take off the offending 7 ft. I have done similar twice , one had a plumbing wall . Cost?....about same as room addition after demo.
"You have to wonder how the BI could miss 7 feet during the construction process."
Out of ?
If the setback was 15' along with a row of existing houses at the correct setback on a straight road.
Now make it 50 ft and curving road and no house for 2 lots on each side.
You're right. But, it still sux for the HO.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I'd try for a variance for the property first. Here it's about $1500, with no guarantee of getting approved.
Cheaper than the other alternatives, though.
I'm partners in a rental house that had that problem in it's past. Our house was apparently built (in the 1920's) one foot onto the wrong side of the property line.
I guess nobody noticed until someone built a new house next door. The previous owner had to work out with the neighbor to buy six feet (5' setback) of the neighbor's front yard between the road and the back of the house. Good thing it was a tiny house..
I'm sure he paid thru the nose but better than the alternative.
Richk1