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Architecture/BUILDING FOOTPRINT

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Expert: - 7/10/2008


Question
Could you please tell me if you include the eaves in a building footprint.  I work for a small village and they are trying to determine within their building bylaw what constitutes the footprint of a building.

thank you

Answer
Good Morning Sally - thanks for your question!

"Building Footprint" is always defined as the permeter of the structure that is in contact with the ground.  I have never encountered a definition that included overhangs or eaves.

For purposes of setbacks, sideyards, and easements, overhangs and eaves are often included - but not for the footprint.

Commercial building codes also reference overhangs and where they can and can't be used in terms of fire separation distance from other buildings and from property lines.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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