You love your Lake Oswego home, but it’s time for a change. Whether it’s due to a growing family, a change in lifestyle, or simply the need for more living space, the time has come to build an addition. However, before you go hiring a contractor to start designing the plans, you want to know what you’re up against. The big question you need to answer: What are the challenges of building an addition in Lake Oswego?
Despite its hilled terrain and often restrictive HOAs and building codes, Lake Oswego has been a consistent remodeling locale for our team at Lamont Bros. Design & Construction. Having worked with several Lake Oswego homeowners to design an addition for their homes, we’re well familiar with the challenges you’re likely to face when undertaking a similar project.
This article will cover 6 of the most common issues homeowners face during a home addition project in Lake Oswego. After reading it, you’ll have a better sense of how to prepare and what problems might stand in the way of you achieving your dream home. Armed with this information, you’ll be able to plan a home addition project more carefully and with regard to the potential issues you might encounter. Specifically, we’ll discuss:
- Height restrictions
- Setback regulations
- HOA restrictions
- Site access and grading challenges
- Permitting processes and costs
- Tree preservation and environmental regulations
Home Height Restrictions
Because the picturesque views are some of the greatest selling points for many homes in Lake Oswego, regulations in the area are pretty particular about how tall your house can be. These restrictions are in place to prevent any one home from towering over its neighbors and blocking those lovely views everyone enjoys.
We had a client who ran into this issue while trying to expand their Lake Oswego home. They had a beautiful idea for a 2200-square-foot third-story addition on their Lake Oswego home. However, once we dove into the specifics, we found that the height restrictions in their particular neighborhood wouldn’t allow it. So, we had to go back to the drawing board and come up with a design that adhered to the local height limits.
The takeaway here is simple: Before you start planning your addition, make sure you understand the height restrictions in your area. Consult with a professional who knows the ins and outs of Lake Oswego’s residential construction laws. This will save you time, money, and a lot of headaches down the line.
Setback Regulations
Next on the list, we have setback regulations. These rules dictate how close your addition can be to the property lines, roads, and other structures. They exist to ensure that there’s enough space between buildings and other important utilities, which helps maintain the neighborhood’s look and feel, as well as its safety standards.
Imagine you’ve got a nice backyard and you want to extend your kitchen out a bit. You’re thinking, “Hey, I’ve got plenty of space, this should be easy.” But then you hit a snag with the setback regulations.
We had one such project where the homeowner wanted to add on to the back of their home. They had a good-sized backyard, but because of the setback requirements and the proximity of a nearby road that ran along the back of the property, we couldn’t just build as planned. The terrain also posed a problem; the grade sloped upwards, and any excavation would risk destabilizing the road above.
So, what’s the lesson here? Check those setback requirements early in your planning process by visiting your local permitting office. It’s better to know upfront what kind of space you’re working with rather than simply assume and have to make costly adjustments after the fact.
HOA Constraints
Now, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite thing in the whole world – Homeowners Associations, or HOAs. If you thought you were the only one who owned your Lake Oswego home, think again. If you have an HOA, they will likely play a big role in what you can and can’t do with an addition project.
For example, you might have a vision for a sleek, modern addition with a lot of glass and steel. However, if your neighborhood is full of traditional, period-revival homes, the HOA might just veto your plans.
If you’re looking to do an addition that adds living space to the home and improves the property value, your HOA will likely go along with that. However, if your addition has any features or qualities that could raise eyebrows, such as adding a massive garage structure to the home or dramatically changing the home’s exterior aesthetic, you may be in for more of an uphill battle to get what you want.
When dealing with an HOA, consistent communication goes a long way. Submit your plans for approval early, and be prepared for some back-and-forth. It might seem like a hassle, but it’s part of the process to ensure your addition fits in with the overall look of the community and protects the value of your home and the homes of your neighbors.
Access and Grading Challenges
Building an addition on hilly terrain like what is often found in Lake Oswego comes with its own set of challenges. Site access and grading can be particularly tricky and can significantly impact your project’s feasibility and cost.
The city requires a slope stability analysis for construction projects on steep grades. This analysis assesses the potential risks of landslides and the stability of the soil. Based on the findings, specific engineering solutions, such as retaining walls or soil reinforcement, may be mandated to ensure the safety of the structure and surrounding properties. Although it comes with a lot more work and costs attached, the reason for all of this is to prevent catastrophic landslides that could damage your home and your neighbors’.
For instance, our team recently did a feasibility study on an addition where accessing the rear of the property required us to temporarily close a road on the upper part of the hill behind the property. This was the only way to get the necessary equipment and machinery in and out. The property was on a slope, which meant we also would have had to do extensive grading and install retaining walls to prevent soil erosion and maintain stability.
Bottom line, if your property is on a hill, plan for additional costs related to grading and access. This isn’t something you want to discover halfway through your project. Engage a contractor who has experience with similar terrain and understands all the necessary steps to ensure you’re adequately prepared for these challenges.
Permitting Processes and Costs
Obtaining permits for an addition in Lake Oswego can present its own set of challenges, and it’s often more expensive and time-consuming than in other areas. The city’s stringent building codes and environmental regulations mean you’ll need to jump through a few more hoops to get your permits approved.
Anecdotally, our team has seen permit costs nearly twice the cost of those in less regulated areas. This is especially true for projects that involve significant changes or additions. The review process can also take longer, so it’s essential to factor this into your project timeline.
A good strategy here is to start the permitting process as early as possible. Work with a contractor who understands the local requirements and can help you navigate the bureaucratic maze. This will help keep your project on track and within budget.
Tree Preservation and Environmental Regulations
Finally, let’s talk about tree preservation and environmental regulations. Lake Oswego places a high value on its trees and other natural surroundings. This means you can’t just cut down a tree because it’s in the way of your new addition.
The city often requires the preservation or replacement of trees removed for construction. In fact, special permits are needed for the removal of significant trees, and in many cases, trees must be protected during construction to avoid damage to their root systems.
We once had a project where the homeowner wanted to remove a tree to make room for a home addition. However, the tree was deemed historically significant, and removing it wasn’t an option. We had to redesign the addition’s foundation to avoid killing or damaging the tree. Ultimately, these restrictions made the project too expensive for the homeowner to continue.
If you’re planning an addition and have any trees, large or small, in the way of the proposed structure, check the local regulations regarding tree preservation. Consider working with an arborist if necessary to assess the trees on your property and determine which ones can be removed or need to be preserved. This will help you avoid any permitting surprises that could delay your project.
Want to More Information on Building a Home Addition?
After reading about these 6 common challenges of building an addition in Lake Oswego, do you feel more confident in being able to plan your own home addition project? If so, keep up the great research! To learn more about what to expect when building a home addition, download our free Home Addition Buyer’s Guide. In it, you’ll find everything you need to know before hiring a contractor to build your addition.
Are you considering an addition, but know you don’t want to navigate the process alone? If you’re in the early stages of planning a home addition and want to speak with a design professional about your ideas, click the button below. We’ll work with you to design your project and make sure the addition you dream up meets your needs and your budget.