Don’t know what you’re

allowed to build?

A Zoning Study can help bring clarity.

Front view of a modern house with light green brick exterior, black window frames, and a black front door, with stairs leading up to the door, and small garden with flowers and plants in front. Multi-family home renovation by Boreal Modern, Chicago

A property’s zoning will tell you what your jurisdiction will and won’t allow you to build on a particular property. 

This includes things like the building’s use, number of dwelling units that can be built, allowable heights and areas, and how close it can be to the property lines. 

Verifying that your project will be allowed by your jurisdiction is the first step in pursuing any construction project.

A comprehensive zoning study distills the complex zoning code down to a clear rulebook tailored to your site, and gives you specific guidance on how to maximize the yield on your lot. 

A technical diagram of a property layout showing an existing garage and three units, with labels for each, on a dark background with green lines and text. Zoning Study diagram by Boreal Modern

Sample Zoning Study

This sample zoning study was prepared for a client who wanted to build 4 townhomes on a lot he purchased. Through examining the local zoning code, we determined that he was only allowed to build 3 townhouses on the site as-of-right. The zoning study report distills the complex zoning code down to the restrictions applicable to their intended use, resulting in a clear rule book for their specific site. We also took the restrictions laid out by the jurisdiction and applied them to the specific site in a series of drawings depicting the maximum allowable building. This is often referred to as a massing study or the zoning envelope.

This sample zoning study contains both the written Zoning Study Report and the Massing Study / Zoning Envelope drawings.

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Have questions about your own property?

Let us be your guide.

Click the button below to reach out about a personalized zoning study.

Or email us at info@borealmodern.com for general inquiries.

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