Tag Archives: rural property

How Urban Growth Boundaries Can Affect Your Property

urban growth boundaries

Now more than ever, more people are moving from both rural and urban areas—a trend that is slowly redefining urban growth boundaries everywhere. The allure of city living has dwindled over the past five years in exchange for a life in the suburbs. Similarly, those in rural areas who are financially able are moving closer in, as well. For example, economic analyst Jared Kolko discovered a 30 percent increase of college educated populations in nonmetropolitan counties, all around the Pacific Northwest and Idaho. These two opposing trends will inevitably cause a time for flux in urban growth boundaries.

Living outside an urban growth boundary comes with its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. An urban growth boundary is usually decided by a city or metropolitan area. Depending on where these municipalities draw the line can cause serious comparative disparities in land value. Farmland can be valued at 10 times less than similar land merely feet away. It’s important to know where these boundaries are, and what policy trends are occurring.  

You can either save or lose money depending on your intentions. The addition of new infrastructure on your property will increase its value no matter what. It’s a much better route than renovating an old pre-existing structure. Click here for more information about the pros and cons of new construction versus renovation.

Check an updated version of your closest city’s urban growth plan, and find out where your prospective land is in relation to it. Studying policy trends in the past to see how you could be affected later, can help gauge how future decisions on increasing the boundary will be made. Being conscious of these factors can make or break a property’s market value.

Seclusion has been a key attraction for rural living, the price one might pay if land falls too close to an urban growth boundary. Cities can retroactively justify expanding infrastructure near or around your property if it was set aside into a rural reserve. This annexed land around your home can be used for any kind of development. So be sure you are staying privy to the projects being proposed in these areas before buying property as well.

Not many cities in the U.S. adopt urban growth boundary policies. Those that do are typically places where the lines between urban and rural blur. Examples of these places can be found in Portland, Oregon; Boulder, Colorado; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Seattle, Washington. DC Structures knows firsthand the headaches of city planning, and the amount of government regulation that accompanies it. Staying on top of recent trends in rural-urban migration and city planning can make a huge difference when assessing land for your structure.

Ready to take the first step toward building your dream structure on your dream property? Request a free quote to get started today.

Project Feasibility: Can I Build This Here?

project feasibility

There are plenty of reasons to be exhausted by a construction projects, and one of the biggest of those headaches relates to project feasibility. As you begin your design, planning and construction process, it’s important to consider how things like zoning, building on protected lands and other new construction requirements may affect your project. With a little research and the right questions you can make sure you don’t end up putting the cart in front of the horse.

The first thing to consider is the kind of structure you want to build on your property. Depending on the size and intended use, there are hoops you may have to jump through with zoning and permit requirements. Will the structure be multi-functional and contain a living unit like this Shasta RV barn? If so, you will want to check with your county’s land use office for regulations on building new or additional residential units on your property. You may discover there are special permits you need to request and get approved before you start the building process.

The size of the structure you want to build on your property is also a point of distinction. It’s much easier to build a small structure on undeveloped property than it is to build an entire riding arena, like this impressive Canyon kit in Oregon City. If your property is still untamed or limited in use then you may want to consider a smaller more practical structure, like this Pendelton Shed Row barn. Its compact design is flexible and works well for any property.

Rural property owners should consider obstacles that come from building on undeveloped land. Keep in mind that building on undeveloped land requires you to plan out sewage, water and electrical solutions for your structure. You should also make sure the topography of your land lends itself to construction. Poor soil and rugged terrain can affect the foundation of your home over the long term and should be avoided. Other times there may be protected lands—such as wetlands or riparian zones—that can’t be built on. These problems can throw a serious wrench in any plans you have, so make sure you address them ahead of time.

The best way to avoid issues that may arise from building on your land is to be informed, and to work with experienced builders. Contacting your local planning commission will usually yield answers to any questions about zoning and protected lands, but it’s more difficult to find an experienced builder that you can trust. Nothing will provide more peace of mind than working with a contractor who has experience in the region you are looking to build.

DC Structures has worked with contractors both in-house and through outside partnerships to complete projects that span developed and undeveloped land, as well as those on rural properties and within city limits. You can trust DC Structures to get the job done right. Request a quote and start planning a dream home for your property today.