Gazebos, in the traditional sense, were designed as standalone structures. They were built in parks or gardens as an intimate areas to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Today, gazebo is more commonly used as an extension of our home. It is mostly utilized as an entertaining area. It may seem like they can be placed wherever you like, but that’s often not the case. There are some guidelines or, in some cases, regulations surrounding gazebo placement.
The main concern usually involves distance and angle from a neighboring house. Sometimes proceeding with a project without clearance can result in the gazebo needing to be removed. In this article, we’ll go through how far should gazebo be from house, so you don’t get into any legal issue. Let’s dive in, shall we?
How far should gazebo be from house?
When considering adding a gazebo to your home space, there are a few things that you may need to confirm before going ahead with the project. Firstly, it’s recommended to get in contact with your local council. Each town, as well as the county, will have its own set of regulations that must be abided by.
These rules may require the gazebo to be built a certain distance from a neighboring home. Furthermore, the gazebo may not be allowed to be placed at a certain angle, interfering with a neighbor’s line of sight. There would be nothing worse than purchasing your dream home with an amazing view and someone erecting a big structure in front of it!
The exact distance will depend on each council’s set of rules. In general, though, the average space is usually between 5 ft. This doesn’t seem like much, but it’s usually the average human’s width to pass by without being obstructed. To be honest, unless the gazebo is built into the house, it would be pretty tight to try to work in that small space with larger or longer materials and tools.
The best way to ensure that this distance is adhered to is by getting a professional to do all the planning. They will mark out the appropriate boundaries, and you can consult with them if there are any problems. They usually have contact with the lawmakers, and the process is usually pretty hassle free.
Alternatively, you can use a tape measure or even a distance reader if you want absolute accuracy. It’s usually best to give yourself an extra 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) where possible, so you know you’re well within the boundaries.
Can I put a gazebo right next to the house?
Regarding your home, the same applies to checking with your local head of council. In general, there aren’t any rules that decide how close a gazebo can be built beside your own house. Some gazebo types are built from the house as an extension of the inside living area. These varieties generally use one home wall and have 3 wall sides of their own. The roof is bolted to the wall for extra support.
Another variant is the hard top which is a freestanding option. They can usually be placed quite close to a house. But as we mentioned previously, it might be a bit cramped with space to build something too close. Another issue that needs to be carefully planned has a stable foundation. If the gazebo is going to be freestanding, it can be tricky to build a foundation so close to a house.
It may seem like simply attaching it to the house foundations is the easiest fix, but that can cause several other issues with the added weight. As with the building next to a neighbor’s home, 5 ft is a safe distance between your house and the gazebo.
How close to the property line can I build a gazebo?
It’s never a good decision to build whatever you want, wherever you want, on your property without consulting with the local council offices first. Doing so comes with the risk of possibly removing the gazebo and building it from scratch if it doesn’t meet the regulatory standards.
The distance from the house to the gazebo is usually a bit more lenient than building close to a property boundary line. This concept is called a setback. They vary by zoning district and also by structure type. The setback of a gazebo is generally the same as any other living dwelling.
The average family home on a standard sized block has a setback of 5 ft from the side property line and 10 ft from the rear property line. But every home is different, so check the zoning requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How close can I build to my Neighbours boundary?
There are strict rules and regulations when it comes to building a dwelling. Especially close to the boundary line between your home and a neighbor’s. It’s always best to check with your local council for zoning regulations. Generally, though, 5 ft between dwelling boundaries on the sides and 10 ft from the rear boundary line are what most planners have in their guidelines.
What is the 45 degree rule?
The 45 degree rule is an important factor in planning a home extension. It looks at how large or closes a neighboring structure can be to the proposed property. It’s basically where the extension can’t stick past the line of sight of a 45 degree angle taken from the center of the closest neighboring ground floor window. That’s 45 degrees to one side of the center and 45 degrees to the other side, making 90 degrees (a right angle).
How high can a gazebo be without planning permission?
A gazebo is usually classified as a garden building or structure. The height of garden buildings when as close as 6.5 ft (2 m) to a boundary line should not exceed 8-10 ft (2.5-3 m), depending on the zoning laws. When the distance is over 6.5 ft, the structure can be as much as 13 ft (4 m tall).
What size gazebo can I build without a permit?
Depending on the zoning laws of your local area, you may not require a permit to build a gazebo. It’s not worth taking the risk, though. Generally, any permanent gazebo structure under 10 x 10 ft doesn’t require a permit. Likewise, you don’t require permission for a popup gazebo, as they aren’t permanent buildings.
Is a gazebo a permanent structure?
Gazebos can be built to stand permanently. It all comes down to personal preference. Some gazebos can be attached to the side of a house and act as an extra outdoor living space. This can provide shade and rain protection. Other gazebo models can be built as sturdy, stand alone structures. Then you can purchase pop-up variants that can be erected and dismantled whenever you please.
Conclusion:
Gazebos are a great way to accentuate a backyard garden or even produce an extra outdoor living room that was once just a blank space. Understanding the zoning laws and regulations when building such a structure is an important part of the planning process.
The last thing you want is to build the gazebo of your dreams and then have to tear it down if it breaches the rules. We hope this article has helped you understand how far a gazebo can be built in relation to your home and your neighbors. Thanks for tuning in!
