Site Analysis Report

Know what your property allows.

An architect reviews your property, its structures and the regulations.

Lot diagram from the sample report: property line, buildable area, two buildings, wetlands and roadNBuildable areaWetlandsRoad

$249

Same-day rush
+$100 in nine towns, by noon
Delivery
1 business day in nine towns, 2–3 elsewhere
Report
About five pages, PDF
Review
Chris Carr, Architect
View the sample report (PDF)
Lot diagram from the sample report: property line, buildable area, two buildings, wetlands and roadNBuildable areaWetlandsRoad
Sample reportLot diagram, redrawn from the report; not to scale.
Same-day rush
+$100 in nine towns, by noon
Delivery
1 business day in nine towns, 2–3 elsewhere
Report
About five pages, PDF
Review
Chris Carr, Architect
What the report shows

Room to expand

See how much more you can build and which rule sets the limit.

Allowed

6,500–6,700square feet

7% building coverage cap

Existing

2,200square feet

Two buildings

Available

4,300–4,500square feet

Limited by the coverage cap

Also in the report

Setbacks and height · Flood zone and wetlands · Septic, sewer and water · Historic and scenic-road limits

Sample reportFigures from page 3.

Site conditions

The unique conditions of each property, indicated.

Site sketch 1 of 3: property line, buildable area and buildings
A long drive to a rear lot.
Site sketch 2 of 3: property line, buildable area and buildings
A house at the wetland edge.
Site sketch 3 of 3: property line, buildable area and buildings
A wetland across one corner.
Site sketch 1 of 3: property line, buildable area and buildings
A long drive to a rear lot.
Site sketch 2 of 3: property line, buildable area and buildings
A house at the wetland edge.
Site sketch 3 of 3: property line, buildable area and buildings
A wetland across one corner.

Who it’s for

Buying

See what a property allows while you can still negotiate or walk away.

Renovating or adding

Learn where an addition can go and how large it can be.

Real estate agents

Answer zoning questions on a listing before buyers ask.

Expert analysis of property data

Zoning
Town zoning regulations and zoning map
Parcel and buildings
Assessor records, the state parcel map and aerial building outlines
Flood, wetlands and soils
FEMA flood maps; town wetlands regulations, CT DEEP wetland soils and the USDA soil survey; USGS elevation data
Septic, water and environment
CT DEEP sewer service areas, water utility service areas and CT DPH watersheds; CT DEEP cleanup sites, rare species and aquifers, and the EPA radon map
Historic and roads
The Connecticut Historic Resources Inventory and CT DOT scenic roads

The Girard House team prepares each report, with final review by Chris Carr, Architect.

A Site Analysis Report is not a survey, title search, appraisal or official zoning determination.

Order a report

$249

Launch price

Same-day rushAdd $100 for same-day delivery in nine towns when you order by noon Eastern on a business day.

View the sample report (PDF)

Agents get co-branded reports, and the first one is free. Ask us.

  1. 01Enter the property address.
  2. 02We compile the town, state and federal records.
  3. 03You receive your report as a PDF.

After the report

The report is yours. Use it to make an offer, plan an addition or answer a buyer’s questions.

Questions

What is a Site Analysis Report?

A Site Analysis Report is a PDF of about five pages on a Connecticut property, its structures and the regulations that apply to it. It covers zoning, setbacks, building coverage, flood zones, wetlands, septic, well and historic status, and lists every source.

Who prepares the report?

The Girard House team prepares every report from town, state and federal records, with final review by Chris Carr, Architect.

How much larger can my house be?

That depends on the building coverage limit in your zoning district, and in some towns a floor area limit, measured against what already stands on the lot. Setbacks, flood zones and wetlands then decide where new work can go, and work inside the town’s review area around a wetland or stream needs a permit from its inland wetlands commission. The report shows how much you can add and where.

Can I add a second story?

That depends on the height limit in your zoning district, set in feet and often in stories, and on whether the house meets today’s setbacks. Building up over a part of the house that sits inside a setback may need a variance. If the house is on a septic system, adding bedrooms also depends on the system’s capacity, which the local health department reviews. A flood zone or a local historic district adds its own rules and approvals. The report sets out each of these for your property.

Is an accessory dwelling allowed?

That depends first on your town. A 2021 Connecticut law, Public Act 21-29, allows one accessory apartment as of right on a lot with a single-family house, but towns could opt out before 2023 and keep their own rules. Local rules can set the size of the unit and where a detached unit can go. If the property has a septic system or a well, the local health department also reviews the plans. The report shows which rules apply to your lot.

How long does it take?

Reports arrive the next business day in Westport, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, Fairfield, Ridgefield, Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien. Elsewhere in Connecticut, allow two to three business days.

Can I get a report the same day?

Same-day delivery is available in those nine towns when you order by noon Eastern on a business day. It adds $100, for a total of $349.

What does it cost?

A report costs $249 at launch. Reports are non-refundable.

Not sure a report is right for your property? Email chris@girardhouse.com with the address and we’ll tell you.