Yes, uphill. Can’t touch any area with slope greater than 1:2. Roof has to have a pitch greater than 3:12, total height from the lowest point to highest 28’ max.
“A Pattern Language” is fantastic. We bought a copy and referred to it during the design process of or house.
Got “A pattern Language” from the library. House was out until next week.
With the size house you’re considering the building height with be a nonissue, even if you choose to go with a steeper pitch than the minimum.
To me, the first question to address would be driveway access up to the building pad. You’ll need an accurate topographic survey for that, but once you situate your driveway and parking area it’ll be relatively easy going forward.
And yes, absolutely bring your sketches and ideas to the architect. Their job isn’t to dictate the design; it’s to adapt your ideas and wishes to the site.
The topology survey is already done. There’s a thin strip of path flatter than 1:2 for the driveway. Not enough space for turnaround. We will have to back down to the street. I think it’s doable.
That’s pretty steep. How long will the driveway be?
Not sure about your states regulations about the size of turnarounds for driveways, but our housing plan for our California retirement home mandated an area large enough for a Firetruck to turnaround. We ended up doing a hammerhead design and the concrete pad is huge along with the costs.
I hope we don’t have Firetruck turnaround code. That would make it unbuildable as far as I can see.
@sherpa, about 40’ to where you can turn around. The path itself is not as steep as 1:2. Maybe 1:12. It is steep to the sides of the path.
Wow. I consider 15% maximum slope for a driveway. Are you going to have switch backs?
Okay, looks like you will. I don’t know of codes that require a turnaround for just one house - but we don’t live in a fire prone area.
@mathmom No, it’s not that steep. The driveway will be about 10% or less. But it slopes down to the side at 1:2. That makes it hard to make room for a turnaround.