Alternate name: row house, cluster home, patio home
Do I Need a Zero-Lot-Line House?
There are plenty of things to consider when moving to a new home. Space, location, and size are all important, especially when you have a family. Let’s say that you, your spouse, and your two children are searching for somewhere new to live. You already live in a large city, but your growing family needs more room to spread out. Unfortunately, your job can’t accommodate you working elsewhere—you still have to come into work and cannot be relocated. A zero-lot-line house may be a good option for you; these homes focus on maximizing space in areas where land is at a premium and can be more affordable than regular, single-family houses. Zero-lot-line homes often have little to no yard. In some cases, this could be a benefit, since you’ll have less to maintain. If you have children or pets, however, the lack of a yard could be a downside.
Alternatives to a Zero-Lot-Line House
Although a zero-lot-line house may be a good option in some cases, it may not be a good fit for you. Fortunately, there are a vast variety of other homes that can suit your needs. If cost is an issue, you may want to consider opting for an apartment or condominium rather than a zero-lot-line home, although you’ll experience less privacy when sharing walls. If you’re looking for outdoor space, searching for a single-family home could be a good option. Most homes come with a certain amount of yard and, depending on location, zoning laws prohibit lot sizes below a certain threshold. Regardless of your needs, there are plenty of alternatives for homes—whether you’re searching in cities or more rural locations.
Pros and Cons of Zero-Lot-Line Houses
Pros Explained
Offer affordable housing in expensive areas: Zero-lot-line houses are built for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is usually affordability. Smaller lot sizes allow for less expensive homes.
Situate homes so as to maximize space, both indoor and outdoor: Allowing a home to be built up to the property line means that your house can be larger than one that has deeper setbacks on the same sized lot. A home situated along a single property line can also result in more usable yard space; having 10 feet of yard along one side of your property can be more usable than five feet on either side.
Cons Explained
Offer less privacy than standard-lot-line homes: Because zero-lot-line houses are situated so close to the property line, you may experience a lack of privacy when living in one. This could be due to physically sharing a wall or simply having exterior walls very near to other houses. Not available everywhere: Zero-lot-line homes may not be available everywhere. Local regulations will dictate this. Floor area ratio (FAR) is the maximum amount of square footage your home can have based on your lot size; local regulations may limit your home’s FAR.
