Features Overview

The block or development parcel

The individual building site is the smallest scale of development and is contained within a lot. Lots can be thought of as the legal boundaries of a property which define the land you own and typically are squares or rectangles. However, in some cases, parcels can be irregular shapes as a result of road intersections, natural features or the convergence of two different city grids.

Parcels typically take their shapes as a result of the underlying City grid. For example, Chicago’s square grid informs its square parcels and thus the existence of square buildings whereas Manhattan’s rectangular grid results in rectangular parcels and therefore has narrow, long buildings.

Within cities, each parcel is assigned a zoning designation which gives certain permissions and limitations on the underlying land. Zoning tells the property owner what they can and cannot use their property for, how much of it and how to do it. Before you start on a project, zoning should always be reviewed as it has the potential to make or break your project before it starts.

Not sure where to start? 2Code are experts in zoning and land use entitlements with previous working experience in big and small cities. Don’t let zoning issues derail your project, contact us today.