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Found your dream piece of land? STOP and go over these things before making an offer.
Zoning and Permits
Verifying local county or city zoning laws to ensure your intended build (house, barndominium, or outbuildings) is allowed is the first step. Checking minimum lot size and set back restrictions is very important before making an offer.
Perc Test and Septic Permitting
Soil type dictates whether a site can support a septic system. In areas sitting over the aquifer, Panhandle Health District rules often require a minimum of 5 acres for new individual septic systems. For properties not located over the aquifer a septic system typically can be permitted on less than 5 acres.
Water and Wells
You cannot assume that every property will have access to water. Drilling a well in North Idaho can cost anywhere from $25,000-$40,000 or more depending on the soil composition and depth needed to reach water. Using the Idaho Department of Water Resources to investigate other well in the area is a great place to start.
Access and Roads
Confirming legal, year-round access is key. Checking if roads are public or private will let you know what you can expect. Private roads require a clear road-maintenance agreement for snow plowing, grading, and emergency vehicle access while public roads come with those things already in place.
Utilities and Easements
Understanding the difference between access easements and utility easements is important before you buy. An easement for a driveway does not mean power lines or water can run through it. Check the distance to existing power poles to avoid massive trenching or extension fees. A utility easement on the property does not always mean the utilities are already on the property. It could be an easement for another property close by.
Environmental Constraints
Is this parcel considered wetlands or in a flood zone? Are there any steep slopes that will be prone to erosion? Is this property in a high fire-risk zones that complicate building permits and insurance coverage?
CC&Rs – Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
Reading the CC&Rs for a property if there are any in place is very important to know if there are rules on livestock, shooting, clear-cutting timber, or building timelines.
After reading through this if you have any questions please reach out so we can talk further about what you are looking for and what you would like to avoid. I’m your rural North Idaho expert!
