Ask the Land Guy: Why Road Frontage Doesn’t Mean You Can Build
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from landowners is: “My property has road frontage, so I can build on it.”
Not necessarily.
Road frontage is important, but it is only one piece of the buildability puzzle.
A parcel may have plenty of frontage and still be difficult—or even impossible—to develop because of zoning, minimum lot size, setbacks, wetlands, steep slopes, environmental restrictions, access requirements, or septic limitations.
For example, a property might have 200 feet of frontage but not have enough usable land to meet the required setbacks. Or the frontage may be on a road where the municipality requires a specific driveway design or sight distance. If the property needs a septic system, the soil and available septic area can become another major issue.
That's why I always tell landowners:
Don't confuse road frontage with buildability.
Before putting a value on vacant land, you want to know what you can actually do with it.
As the Land Guy, I look beyond the tax map. I want to understand the zoning, frontage, access, utilities, wetlands, topography, septic possibilities and approvals that determine what the property is really worth.
If you own vacant land in Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange or Rockland County, and you're wondering whether your property is actually buildable—or what it could be worth—let's take a closer look before you make a decision.
845-590-5488 Tom the land guy
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