These are actual construction questions I received from readers of my eBook, “Residential Development Made Simple” with answers from me, Colm Dillon, and a leading US master builder operating in 48 states.

Problem 1.

Are there common mandatory national building codes that all states IN the US must follow?

Reply

Unfortunately, the answer is no. But if so, would it make my job that much easier if there was? Each county, municipality and city has its own codes.

We just call each one and get the local codes and build from there. Can you imagine the inefficiency and therefore the costs that this process adds to the cost of doing business from a
point of view of builders and customers.

It would be logical and wonderful if there was a common code for all States with a separate list of Variations issued by each authority for things like weather conditions.

By this I mean that in cold climates we want the codes to reflect the minimum conditions for “retaining ‘heat’ inside the house” and the opposite for tropical climates.

However, the basic code for house construction should be the same as for structural soundness, etc. Unfortunately, there is no “one stop” website to access this information, you must contact
each individual authority.

Question 2.

When looking to develop virgin land, who is the best person to start with in determining what can
really build on it?

Reply

I have written a lot of information on this topic on my website Blog at:
http://www.realestatedevelopmentcoach.com/emailblog
but the starting point is to determine the zoning of the land in question, from there everything flows.

I mean, if you’re looking for land that’s classified as industrial (and you don’t know it), any idea you might have of building a house on it is a waste of time, okay?

Then, if it’s land to create a residential subdivision, go see an engineer, if you live in the US; or a surveyor in other countries such as Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom.

If the land is zoned for units, apartments, condos, or any higher density development, you should see an architect if you want to develop the property yourself.

Problem 3.

I have seen hearing notices placed on recently purchased land in my area. It seems like months go by before hearings take place in our area of ​​PG County, Maryland.

Reply

Well, just as there are building codes for each area of ​​the country, there are also development codes established in the Urban Plan for each town, city, etc.

The Urban Plan establishes the urban regulations, such as the setbacks of the building lines of each boundary; height restrictions; material standards and many other things.

On top of that, you usually have to announce to the public in the newspaper, as well as a sign on the property, that you have submitted a development application.

The Town Plan will have told you how many times the ad has to appear and how long the property sign has to stay up on the ground – oh yes, it has to be up on the front line, not on the back line behind a bush .

All of this takes time: publicity alone can be a month, then it has time if there are public objections, then time for authority officials to verify it, then it has to be on the Council’s agenda. Oh, sorry, you missed that meeting. You have to wait another month. So yeah, it’s a
long process

These meetings can be attended by anyone who has an interest in the property or is going to be directly affected by what you propose to develop.

Some people may not want you to build because of the noise, the traffic your development will add, or because they ever saw aliens there. You have all kinds of people who reject change.

Problem 4.

As a member of the public, how do you make your concerns or support heard?

Reply

If you are a citizen attending the hearing, the chairperson will ask anyone who wishes to speak to come to the podium and present their objections or comments.

If you are better organized, you can submit a written objection, stating your reasons and referring to similar cases that support your position.

Problem 5.

If you are the developer, what action is required of you? What team of people do you need to be with you?

Reply

If the fire in your belly tends to come out of your mouth, when it provokes you, don’t attend – someone will find your ‘hot button’. Result: lose your cool, you lose the argument.”

If your proposed development is controversial, then I would retain a professional from Town Planned to represent you.

As a professional, they are independent; can argue on the basis of planning principles; will know the weaknesses of the local urban plan; and he will state his case in much better language and temperament than you.