ᐅ Ideas for Building a House in a Low-Lying Area

We are planning to build a single-family house in a depression (the plot slopes upward on all sides). The center is about 1 meter (3 feet) lower than the adjacent properties and the street.

We wanted to raise the plot to street level (to level out the slope). According to the building authority, there is a requirement that the finished floor level of the first full story may be a maximum of 0.5 meters (20 inches) above the existing ground level on the plot (this corresponds to the zoning plan). This means we have to stay within the depression.

1. Problem: Water can come from all sides.
2. Problem: If the garage remains as planned, there would be a height difference of 0.5 meters (20 inches) between the house and the garage, making the carport between them unusable. Additionally, there would be steps in the yard.

Raising the garage to the house level would probably make it too deep because it is already below street level. This would result in a steep driveway down into the garage.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Here is the view

Hello,

how far is it from the garage to the street? You can easily include a slight slope in between. Otherwise, I would try to build the garage as high as allowed and position the carport a bit lower (in that case, there will be a step between the garage and the carport—if the site demands it).

Also: Is there a risk that more water will arrive than can drain away? If so, you should switch to rubber boots in good time...

Regards
I.

The garage is 6.5 m (21.3 feet) from the street. If we lower the garage to the new height of the house, I estimate it will be 1.20 m (3.9 feet) below street level.

kernm23 schrieb:

We are planning to build a single-family house in a natural depression. (The land rises on all sides.) The center is about 1 meter (3 feet) lower than the neighboring properties and the street.

Is this a naturally formed depression, or was soil brought in at some point?

kernm23 schrieb:

We intended to raise the plot to street level (see slope). According to the building authority, a condition will be imposed that the floor level of the first full story may be at most 0.5 meters (20 inches) above the current ground level (in accordance with the zoning plan).

It is unlikely that the planning office wants you to direct water toward the house rather than away from it without good reason. I recommend you arrange a personal meeting, or have your architect do so. If the surrounding properties are mostly level, you should be able to find a solution acceptable to both sides.

Regards, Bauexperte

I also have the issue that I need to build 34cm (13 inches) below street level. The house is 4m (13 feet) from the street and then gently slopes down by 34cm (13 inches). Do you think I should be concerned about rainwater in this case?