What to Look for When Buying Land in the Tampa Bay Area: A Guide by Chadwell Homes
Buying land to build your dream home in the Tampa Bay area is an exciting step—but it’s one that comes with some critical factors to consider before making the purchase. At Chadwell Homes, we specialize in custom homebuilding and work with clients throughout this process to ensure the land they choose is suitable for their vision. Here are the top three things you should look for when evaluating a lot in Tampa Bay:
1. Zoning Designation
The first thing you need to verify is the zoning. Make sure the land is zoned for a single-family residence. Zoning laws dictate what can and cannot be built on a property, and building a custom home on land not zoned for residential use could lead to expensive delays or make the property unusable for your needs. Always check with the local municipality or planning department to confirm the zoning before moving forward.
2. Setback Requirements
Once zoning is confirmed, the next step is to understand the property's setback requirements. Setbacks are the minimum distances your home must be from the front, back, and side property lines. These rules vary by municipality and can significantly impact the size and shape of the home you’re able to build. It’s important to ensure that your dream home can fit within these constraints. We frequently help our clients review these restrictions and work closely with architects to create a custom floor plan that works within them.
3. Flood Zone & Base Flood Elevation
In Tampa Bay, particularly in coastal or low-lying areas, it's essential to know whether the property is in a flood zone. You'll want to review the FEMA flood map and determine the base flood elevation (BFE) for the lot. If the land is in a high-risk flood zone, you may be required to build the home on pilings or elevate it to meet floodplain management regulations. This can impact both the cost and design of the home, so it’s best to evaluate this before closing on the land.
At Chadwell Homes, we offer personalized guidance through every step of the land acquisition and building process. If you’re considering buying land in Tampa Bay, reach out to us—we’d be happy to walk the lot with you and help you make an informed decision.
📞 Call us at 813-413-4013 to get started on building your dream home!
