Quote:
Originally Posted by moneymm22
Is a variance a problem to get, or basically just alot of hoops and time?
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It's definitely hoops and time; whether it's a problem will depend on what you want to do and, as mentioned, your neighbors.
The people across from me have a corner lot, and when you're on a corner, your side yard is considered "frontage" and subject to the same setbacks as the front. For example, a non-corner house may have a 45' front setback, plus a 12' setback for the lefthand side yard. But the corner house will have a 45' setback for the front AND 45' setback for the lefthand side yard (if that side is the corner side). When my neighbors wanted to add a wraparound porch, it would have encroached on the 45' setback for their corner side yard (they couldn't wrap it around the other side because the garage was there.) So they had to apply for a variance. They got it, no doubt because the porch is only 6 ft deep. They may have even gotten it for a deeper porch but that's all they were looking to do. They had no problems getting it. Your mileage may vary.
If I were you, I'd start by finding out what the setbacks are for your yard. You might even be able to do it by phone. Call the Building Department and ask. If you don't want to give them your actual address, just say you want to know the setbacks for the houses on your street. Or you can just stop by and ask them for a list of the setbacks that apply to your neighborhood. They will have it as a single sheet of paper with them all listed according to what a building is zoned as, and also with diagrams on the back. At least that's how Islip and Smithtown do it. Then measure the distance from the curb to the existing front of your house, and you'll know if you'll need a variance for a porch or not.