Unrestricted land does not have some restrictions that homeowner’s associations may impose such as home size, color, style, placing mobile homes, animals, and some other things that MrLandseller tries to highlight in this article that land to be labeled as “unrestricted.”
What Does Unrestricted Land Mean?
Some landowners suppose that they can build whatever they like and do whatever they desire once they have unrestricted land. That’s not necessarily true.
There may be:
Deed Restrictions
Deed restrictions may impose some limitations on the type of property structures. Homes in communities must have the same below features:
- Architectural aesthetics
- Roof colors
- Fences
- Mailbox styles
However, land outside of communities can have deed restrictions that regulate the amount of space between homes, how far back homes can be from the street and how many cars are allowed to park in the driveway.
Deed restrictions may limit single-family homes. Therefore, if you had plans to begin a chicken farm, you have no permission if there are deed restrictions.
Easement Restrictions
Easements are typically invisible, however, most properties have them including:
- Utility easements
- Building setback lines
- Ariel easements for power lines
- Traffic easements
- Street easements
- Sewer easements
- Gas lines
Easements effect where you place your driveway or even have a driveway at all.
Zoning Restrictions
Zoning restrictions regulate how to use and develop properties. Some cities have several zoning restrictions and designated zone areas for commercial, industrial, residential, and multi-family.
When land is located in a residential zone but advertised as unrestricted, perhaps building a high-rise apartment won’t be allowed.
Unrestricted Land Definition – What it Means
Building any type or color home on a piece of unrestricted property is possible and you have no problem with architectural requirements or square footage minimums.
Placing a mobile home or tiny home on the property is possible, however, you require to get the right permission and the structure should meet local building codes.
The Dark Side of Unrestricted Land
The idea of unrestricted land looks amazing. Building any type of house is possible. However take into account that your neighbors perhaps have unrestricted land, too.
Maybe they don’t prefer to give their property the same level of care you give.
Some properties might have junk in yards such as several rusted cars, old tires, other debris, and multiple RVs or trailers on the property.
Such properties decrease the value of other properties in the area. And neighbors can do nothing about it. However, if you plan to purchase several acres, you may never see your neighbor.
Building on Unrestricted Land
Before any action about building, you must make sure that the land is unrestricted by checking deed restrictions. Sometimes there is no homeowner’s association or community, But, there may still be deed restrictions. Two neighboring farms could have made a deal some years ago, and those limitations may still be in place at present. Some deed restrictions can ruin your plans for your dream home.
Bedroom Numbers
Houses of a certain size have restrictions that limit the number of bedrooms since septic or sewer capacity is limited.
Pet Restrictions
Deed restrictions designate the type and number of animals on your property and according to it, you can have animals. Limiting or prohibiting livestock like pigs, chickens and goats are common outside of HOA-controlled neighborhoods in most common deed restrictions.
Keeping livestock out of residential neighborhoods is the reason that deed restrictions will prohibit livestock. Therefore, Don’t think since you purchase property outside of a neighborhood you have permission to open a pig farm.
Prohibiting certain breeds of pets, restricting the number of pets to live on the property, and prohibiting residents from keeping pets outside may also be available in deed restrictions.
No Businesses
Preventing any business from home may be available in Deed restriction, therefore running your business from your home is not legal. Such restrictions are typically put in place to control the amount of traffic moving in and out of residential areas.
Adjacent Structures
External structures such as garages, sheds, detached workshops, pools may be limited according to their Deed restrictions. The percentage of property building also may be restricted.
Tree Removal
There are restrictions for removing trees in HOA-controlled neighborhoods. Also, such limitations may be available in place on rural land. Sometimes it is possible to have an agreement between neighbors for Limiting or prohibiting the number or types of trees to remove from the property. That agreement may still be unbreakable.
Vehicle Restrictions
For motorhomes, motorcycles and boats Deed restriction can apply to properties outside of HOA-controlled neighborhoods. Prohibiting the storage of non-working cars in front of the property in some cities is another restriction.
Obstructing a Neighbor’s View
If your property is located in an area with no neighborhoods, this restriction is not a problem. However, in areas with neighborhoods, a deed restriction prohibits you from obstructing your neighbor’s view.
This type of restriction is not common and usually, you can find them in vacation areas. However, mundane things may be protected under this type of restriction. For example distant views of the mountains or nearby lakes. The width and height of your dream home will affect when such restrictions are applied.
It’s necessary to know that not all “unrestricted land” will have deed restrictions. Some properties are unrestricted. So, building any style home of any type when you have permission is possible.
The Best Uses of Unrestricted Land
Depending on your goals the best way to use unrestricted land changes. One of the popular options for unrestricted land is Homesteading. Once land has no restrictions, growing your food, raising livestock, and generally living off of the land are options. Also using solar power as your main source of power provides you with off-grid living,
checking the local laws to make sure that you can live off of your land this way is a prerequisite in this case.
Unrestricted land for building a tiny home is the best choice unless you can buy a plot in a tiny home community.
If you have a plan to live in a mobile home or RV, unrestricted land allows you Because, in other plots, particularly in neighborhoods, having a mobile home is not allowed on the property.
Farming, timber sales, and livestock raising are other great uses for unrestricted land. If there are no restrictions, you can do just about anything you like with your land.
Where and How to Find Unrestricted Land
Listing unrestricted land is similar to other pieces of land. This feature can attract more buyers, therefore these lots tend to sell rapidly. You can search your local GIS to find properties in your area that are unrestricted.
It’s crucial to do your due diligence once purchasing property that’s advertised as “unrestricted.” You may just find that the land does have restrictions in place and those restrictions may have been in place for many decades.
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