ᐅ Semi-detached house on a sloping plot of land

We are currently facing the following issue: The city sold two separate plots, each intended for one half of a semi-detached house. Our neighbors submitted their building application three months ago, at which time we were still comparing offers from general contractors. According to the development plan, the two semi-detached houses are supposed to form a visual unit (this definition is quite flexible) and, in any case, must have the same eaves height and ridge height. The neighbors completed and submitted their plans. By now, we are also ready, and it turns out that the entire plot, meaning both lots combined, slopes slightly upward on the eaves side. The neighbors have designed everything so that their front door is at street level and they comply with the 6m (20 feet) eaves height limit. Our front door, assuming we build exactly attached to the neighbor’s house, is currently about 30cm (12 inches) below street level/backwater level – which is unacceptable. What should we do now? The easiest solution would be to raise both houses so that our front door is also at street level. Unfortunately, according to the latest information from our neighbor, their building application is practically approved. Are there any options left for us? In any case, with this setup, we cannot comply with the development plan requirements. Due to geometric constraints, there is always some kind of deficit somewhere. Does anyone have any ideas? Of course, we are generally frustrated with this process and believe that semi-detached houses should always be planned as a whole. However, the city sells these as individual plots, and ultimately we are just glad to have finally received a building plot after a very long wait (6 years).

I don’t understand your problem. Here in the "mountains," almost every semi-detached house is at a different level. Just plan your entrance to be even, and that’s it.

Then our house is taller than the neighbor’s, and we can’t connect flush. We actually wanted to avoid that. I’m curious now whether our general contractor will charge extra, since on the gable side facing the neighbor we’re not connecting directly but will have to plaster about 30–50cm (12–20 inches) higher and along the entire length of the gable. I also find this quite inconvenient because this side will quickly look worn and will be difficult to paint in the future.

You are worrying about issues that are quite normal!

But be glad that your elevation is higher; otherwise, you might still have to install a lifting station at the end because you may be below the drainage level.

I find it hard to imagine a 30cm (12 inches) height difference across the width of a house visually without stepped levels—wouldn’t the "upper" homeowner always have to plan first, while the "lower" homeowner ends up with a base plinth and steps leading down to the garden? The street surely doesn’t just incline along these two properties, does it?

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Talk to the contractor. The 30 cm (12 inches) lower level on your side doesn’t seem to be a real problem. Of course, it would have been better if the levels had been averaged out—your neighbor goes 15 cm (6 inches) up, and you 15 cm (6 inches) down. But now it is what it is... things were delayed too long, and facts have already been established. A 30 cm (12 inches) difference won’t require a lifting system and won’t cause water issues in the hallway; a drainage channel in front of the door will be enough. As I said, the contractor will tell you how to handle it, and then you’ll say, “Oh, I worried about nothing.” Karsten