How close can a structure typically be to the edge of the lot?

Question

I'm nowhere near the process of building a home, or even owning the lot, but I'm in the "dreaming" stage, designing floorplans etc.

The home will be located in Panama City, FL. I've been looking at lots, and there seem to be a lot of long, narrow ones, usually 45-50 feet wide.

Wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have to have a 2 car garage attached. So, I'm trying to get a ballpark idea how close to the property line an occupied structure is allowed to be. Obviously, I could research it and call half a dozen people, but I figured it'd be faster to get some, at least general, idea here. Thanks.

ShortyG · Answer

You must call wherever you get the permits in your area and ask them. The distance varies by locality, even within a locality. Where I live, south of Chicago, the setback is 3 feet for any structure. Some homes in my neighborhood are built 6 inches from the property line but they were built before the ordinance was written. Where my son lives 5 miles from me, just across the village line, the setback is 10 feet. When I visited a cousin in Panama City Beach a couple times I saw a bunch of those narrow lots, with a 2 car garage basically as the front of the house.

Karen L · Answer

There isn't really a typical setback. It varies wildly from place to place. Call your city hall and ask what it usually is in your area, and check for an individual lot before you buy that lot. Don't get too specific with your dreaming until you know what size your house can be. 
Design away, if it entertains you, but when it comes to actually building you may find that what you design isn't going to fit on the lot you get.

Towanda · Answer

Every place has it's own rules.  Here it is five feet but you need to be sure what is right for your area.

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How close can a structure typically be to the edge of the lot?

3 Answers