How to Determine the Size of Your Lot

Accurately determining the size of your lot is an essential step when filling out your Fortify Form after purchasing your Fortify Plan. The size of your lot can affect the security recommendations made for your property. Knowing how to measure your lot, calculate its area, and understand its dimensions is key to ensuring your Fortify Plan is tailored to your property. This blog will guide you through the process of determining the size of your lot, covering everything from measuring lot boundaries to understanding zoning requirements.

1. How to Measure Lot Size

The first step in determining the size of your lot is to measure its boundaries. To do this, you’ll need to identify the length and width of your property. If your lot is an irregular shape, break it down into manageable sections (like rectangles or triangles) and measure each section separately.

Lot Size Measurement Guide:

  • Use a measuring tape, laser measure, or surveyor's wheel to determine the length and width of each boundary.
  • For irregular shapes, divide the lot into simpler shapes, measure each, and then calculate the total area.

Once you have the measurements of each side, you can calculate the total lot size.

2. How to Calculate Property Lot Size

Once you have the dimensions of your lot, you can calculate its size by multiplying the length by the width if it’s a rectangular or square lot. For irregularly shaped lots, use formulas for triangles, trapezoids, or other geometric shapes to find the area of each section.

How to Calculate Lot Dimensions:

  • For rectangular lots: multiply length by width to get square footage.
  • For irregular lots: divide the lot into simpler shapes (e.g., triangles), calculate each shape’s area, and then add them together.

You can use a residential lot size calculator to simplify this process, ensuring you get an accurate measurement.

3. Measuring Acreage of a Lot

For larger lots, you may need to measure in acres. To convert square footage to acreage, divide the total square footage by 43,560 (the number of square feet in an acre).

Measuring Acreage of a Lot:

  • Calculate the total square footage of your lot.
  • Divide the square footage by 43,560 to convert to acres.

Knowing the acreage is important for rural properties or larger lots, as it can affect security coverage recommendations.

4. Lot Size vs Square Footage

It’s essential to understand the difference between lot size and square footage. Lot size refers to the total area of your land, while square footage refers to the livable space inside your home. When determining your lot size, focus on the total land area, including yards, gardens, and any additional outdoor spaces.

Lot Size and Property Value:

  • Larger lots often have higher property values, which can influence your security needs.
  • Smaller lots may have less space for additional security features, but accurate measurement ensures the best recommendations.

For your Fortify Form, focus on the total lot size, not just the square footage of your home.

5. Determining Lot Boundaries

Before measuring your lot size, it’s important to know your property’s boundaries. You can typically find this information on your property deed or from a land survey. Clear boundaries help ensure you’re measuring the correct land area.

How to Determine Lot Boundaries:

  • Check your property deed or land survey for boundary details.
  • Use markers like fences, walls, or corner posts to identify the edges of your property.

If there is any confusion about where your lot begins and ends, it’s worth consulting a surveyor.

6. Standard Lot Sizes

Lot sizes vary based on location and zoning regulations. In urban areas, standard lot sizes may be smaller, while rural lots can be much larger. Understanding the typical lot size for your area can help you determine how your property compares.

Standard Lot Sizes:

  • Urban lots typically range from 2,000 to 7,000 square feet.
  • Suburban lots may range from 7,000 to 12,000 square feet.
  • Rural lots can range from half an acre to several acres.

Check local zoning requirements to understand the typical lot size in your area.

7. Lot Size and Zoning Requirements

Zoning regulations often dictate how large your lot must be, especially if you’re considering building or making changes to your property. These regulations can affect how much land you need and what you can do with your lot.

Lot Size Zoning Requirements:

  • Residential zoning laws often dictate minimum lot sizes, especially for new builds.
  • Check with your local zoning office to ensure your property complies with regulations.

Understanding zoning requirements is important when reporting your lot size in your Fortify Form, as it can affect future modifications to your property.

8. How to Find Lot Size

If you don’t have immediate access to the measurements of your property, you can find your lot size using several resources:

  • Property Deed: Your property deed often lists the lot size and dimensions.
  • Tax Assessor’s Website: Many local tax assessor websites list property dimensions and lot sizes.
  • Land Survey: If you have a recent land survey, it will show your lot size and boundaries.

For the most accurate data, use these resources before measuring your lot manually.

9. Measuring Lot Size for Building

If you’re considering building on your lot, knowing the exact size and dimensions is critical. Many building codes require specific minimum lot sizes, setbacks, and other regulations.

Measuring Lot Size for Building:

  • Measure your lot boundaries to ensure you have enough space for your project.
  • Confirm the total area of your lot before starting any new building or expansion projects.

This information can be crucial for your Fortify Form if you plan to modify your property in ways that affect security.