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April 20, 2009
Selling Backyard to Neighbor
I'm looking for information on selling some or all of a rowhouse back yard to a neighbor (i.e., so the buying neighbor ends up with a double-width yard and a sort of L-shaped lot, while the selling neighbor ends up with a smaller yard or no yard at all). Are there any tricky legal issues? How did you deal with air rights/FAR? What is a fair price for half of a backyard? For all of a backyard? Assume that there is no landscaping to speak of and both yards are basically blank slates.
Comments
The first thing I'd look at would be what's left of the rear yard. If the building is not on a corner, then most likely, it needs a 30' minimum rear yard. Get rid of the rear yard and you've got a non-compliant building. Additionally, there are minimum size requirements for the lot itself, depending upon which zone it's in. Too small a lot and you create a non-conforming lot, strictly prohibited. Get an architect to do a zoning study or have a look through the zoning code yourself.
Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP
Urban Pioneering Architecture
Posted by: JimHill at April 20, 2009 12:39 PM
I'd also keep resale value in mind. Even if it's legal to go as small as 30', I think a lot of buyers would be turned off, especially if the neighbor develops that part of the lot with their bbq patio, kids play area, etc. Nothing like having a short yard AND noise too.
Posted by: zeebee_in_bklyn at April 20, 2009 2:30 PM
Don't do it.
Posted by: SJ at April 20, 2009 4:23 PM
why would you even consider doing such a silly thing...it will make your house unsalable in the future
Posted by: eman1234 at April 20, 2009 7:07 PM
I would consider a long term rental to keep your resell value secure.
Posted by: Argyle Road at April 22, 2009 3:05 PM
Yep. Renting your neighbor use of your backyard is the way to go here.
Posted by: zinka at April 22, 2009 4:03 PM
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