When planning to build a fence, any owner of a suburban area tries not only to identify the material boundaries of his territory, but also to protect the property from the idle interest of passers-by and the attempt on the property of uninvited guests. Therefore, at the planning stage of the site, one of the key aspects, the solution of which must be approached with responsibility, is the distance between the fence and the building. At what distance from the fence you can build a house, without contradicting existing legislation, how to interpret the norms, adapting them to the conditions of land allotments, we will consider in more detail.
Building codes for fencing planning
Many owners of country houses install fences around their property, focusing only on their own opinions. But such a negligent approach can lead to all sorts of troubles, which sometimes have to be solved only in court.
The distances between the objects in a private building are regulated by two main documents:
- SNiP - construction norms and rules. They determine the planning procedure and describe the procedure for preparing project documentation for private development.
- Legislation regarding new buildings.
It must be understood that the legislative documents governing the installation of fences are encouraged to be guided primarily by common sense. The parameters and requirements given in the standards are determined by specific factors.
In order to prevent the likelihood of conflict situations, when designing buildings on a site and determining how far from the fence they should be, it is worth focusing on generally accepted norms
Adhering to current standards when planning the placement of objects on the site, you will ensure yourself and your loved ones peace and comfort
When guiding the construction of the building to current standards, you will protect yourself from many problems:
- reducing the likelihood of possible fires;
- eliminating the occurrence of "land" conflicts with neighbors;
- warning the penalties of technical supervision and state fire supervision.
SNiP requirements
Mandatory conditions that must be observed when designing the site:
- The distance between the apartment building and the fence should be 3 meters.
- Any outbuildings, such as a gardening shed or a garage, can be installed closer to the fence, maintaining a distance of 1 meter.
- If there are poultry houses and farm buildings on the site for keeping livestock, then a distance of at least 4 meters should be maintained. The same distance should be maintained during the arrangement of the greenhouse, especially if you plan to regularly feed crops with organic fertilizers.
- Buildings characterized by increased fire hazard, such as a bathhouse, sauna or mini boiler room, should be placed 5 meters from the fence.
There are also restrictions if there are trees with spreading crowns on the plot. The temptation to save a couple of meters of area by placing green spaces closer to the border, all the same regulatory documents warn. The distance from the outdoor fence to tall trees should be at least 4 meters.
When planning to plant medium-sized fruit trees on the site, they should be placed 2 meters away from the outer fence, and shrubs should be planted a meter away
Note that when determining the distance to the edge of the plot, the distance is calculated from the center of the trunk. Therefore, claims from neighbors regarding the shading of their territory with an overgrown tree crown should be taken into account only if the plant is planted closer than the current SNiP allows.
The main provisions of the building rules SP 30-102-99, as well as SNiP 30-02-97, regarding the distances from buildings to the fence (click on the picture to enlarge)
It is strictly forbidden to move buildings closer to the border, thereby thereby increasing the area of the yard or planting area. Failure to comply with the rules may result in administrative penalties in the form of fines and forced dismantling of the erected fence.
Fire Standards
If we consider the requirements regarding the distance to the fence facing the street, then in addition to the above provisions, a number of restrictions regarding fire safety should be taken into account.
Any capital buildings on the site, depending on the type of building material used in their construction, are divided into 3 categories
Buildings from completely non-combustible materials, such as concrete, reinforced concrete, brick and stone, have an I-II degree of fire resistance. They should be placed from the fence, maintaining a distance of 6-8 meters.
Frame structures with ceilings made of non-combustible materials such as metal tiles or corrugated board have a III degree of fire resistance. When erecting them, it is necessary to maintain a distance to the fence of 10-12 meters.
Wooden constructions and buildings based on a wooden frame are the most vulnerable and have an IV degree of fire resistance. Therefore, even if the wooden elements are impregnated with flame retardants, which contain flame retardants, the distance to the fence should be at least 12 meters.
The distance from a residential building to the fence can be reduced only upon obtaining permission from special services, as well as mutual and documented consent with the owners of neighboring plots.
Sanitary recommendations
When determining the distance from the building to the fence, it is not necessary to discount sanitary standards.
So for buildings with increased fire hazard, the arrangement of which involves summing up the necessary communications, the distance to the fence should be 5 meters. At the same time, the distance to the neighboring residential building should be at least 8 meters. To create conditions under which it is possible to reduce the distance from the external fence to the same bathhouse, experts strongly advise that a sewage system be installed for water disposal.
Nobody will be pleased with the proximity to the house of the neighboring restroom. And enclosures for livestock walking or poultry houses can cause a lot of anxiety associated with the drainage of wastewater into the soil layer. Therefore, even if the required distance to the fence of this kind of construction is observed, it should be placed at a distance of up to 12 meters from the neighboring house.
A street closet on the site, like livestock sheds, can be installed four meters from the fence, but at the same time keeping a distance with the neighboring house
In the outbuildings adjacent to the house, a separate entrance must be provided according to fire safety standards. But then, when determining the optimal distance, one should take the greatest importance of the protruding architectural elements: a canopy, roof, porch. In addition, when arranging a roof slope, even if it is indented 1 m from the boundary, it must be directed towards its yard. These standards apply equally to buildings located in both adjacent territories.
Since the fence itself can be a bulky construction, the distance should be measured from the border to the base of the house.
An important point: if the thickness of the fence does not exceed 10 cm, then it can be safely placed in the middle of the boundary line. If you are building a heavier and bulky enclosing structure, the fence must be shifted towards your possession. From the neighboring territory it is allowed to “capture” only 5 cm from the total thickness of the fence being erected.
On the issue of compliance with sanitary indentation, many owners of suburban areas are more loyal. But nevertheless, they should be taken into account, since unforeseen problems may arise when changing the form of ownership or selling the land.
Relations with neighbors
Conflicts between neighbors regarding the boundaries of their plots and the improper placement of buildings on them are not so rare. Often, domestic conflicts subsequently form the basis of litigation.
Among the most common causes of such conflicts are:
- the fence is too tall or dull;
- the fence goes far into the neighboring territory;
- when constructing the fence, the rules for observing the lighting of the site were not taken into account, as a result of which the neighboring site became shaded.
According to the rules of land use, one common fence is enough to delimit neighboring household plots. Two separate fences are installed when a road passes between these sections. In this case, it is allowed to build a solid fence between the neighbors.
The widespread movement to erect two-three-story cottages in small areas of 6-7 acres, often acts as a cause of conflict between neighbors due to shading of the territory
A structure erected near the boundary between the plots can affect the territory of nearby estates. And not many owners of neighboring land plots consider this effect acceptable. Therefore, before the construction of the building, it is better to enlist not only the written permission of the interested organizations, but also the consent of the neighbors.
Based on this, it is worth noting that if a neighbor completed the construction of his building before you, then in a good way, before you build your house, you must retreat, maintaining a normalized distance.
Fence Height Requirements
Many mistakenly believe that an external fence can even be built without formal conventions. In fact, regarding the dimensions of building envelopes, building rules are mostly recommendatory in nature.
The material used in the manufacture of external hedges is not regulated by building codes. Also, the distance between the support posts of the fence is not strictly regulated.
The gap between the supporting posts of the fence is determined based on the technology of erection of the structure and the specified strength parameters
Fences are divided into two types:
- fences between adjacent earthen plots;
- fences separating the land allotment from the common area.
The height of the fence, "looking" at the street, and the height of the fence that delimits neighboring sections are two different things. In the first case, you can safely erect a fence of any height. The main thing is that the fence should have an aesthetic appearance on both sides and harmoniously fit into the architectural ensemble of the street.
Restrictions are only imposed on the use of elements that may be dangerous to people. These include barbed wire. It should be suspended at a height of 1.9 meters.
When it comes to fencing between neighboring sections, then the SNiPs are more accurate on this issue: the height of the fence should be within one meter. And to mark the boundaries, you can install fences that do not create shading and do not interfere with air exchange over the soil surface. This means that the lower part of the guard must be well ventilated. The best option is a picket fence, trellised fence or chain-link fence, but just not a fence made of a continuous canvas such as a shield fence or a stockade.
It is also allowed to equip hedge fences, supplemented with mesh and forged elements, to mark the boundaries between neighboring sections.
But there are a number of circumstances under which a permit must be obtained to erect a permanent fence. Approval will be required if:
- if the site borders on a public territory and a protected area with architectural monuments;
- if necessary, erect a fence on a retaining wall, which reaches a height of 2.5 meters.
Do not rush to erect a permanent fence if the boundaries of your site are not yet included in the state cadastral plan.
Video clip: arrangement of the site in accordance with GOST
Of course, there are situations when land plots are so small that their area simply does not allow to comply with all the norms for the mutual placement of buildings. In this case, you can solve the problem using the services of BTI specialists who know all the subtleties and nuances. Otherwise, in case of conflict, you will have to attract lawyers.
