SETBACK

SETBACK

• What is it?
• Who requires it?
• Why is it needed?
 SETBACK

• Required by Law: PD 1096 or The National Building Code of the Philippines

• Residential or Commercial, it is required
• Sometimes depending on the frontage:
• National road
• Provincial road
• Highways

• Local government (city or municipality) also have say on this:

• Road widening
Residential Structures

• R1 – R5
• R1 and R2 are most common
• R1 –Single detached (Single family
dwelling), example are in subdivisions
• R2 – Smaller lots (side setbacks are
optional)
 Why is it required?

• From owner’s point of view

• “This land is mine, why can’t I maximize the usage?!”

• Reasons
1. Public health – Houses must have space so you can install windows, light and air can freely pass
(natural ventilation and natural lighting), if you extend walls to property line you cannot install
openings, which comes down to the second reason.
2. Public safety – Extending walls up to property lines, Firewalls are a requirement, (Firewalls protects
spread of fire either from your lot our the neighboring property)
 Are there exemptions?

• From owner
• What if my lot is very small?, for example lot width is only 4 meters, requiring a 2 meter
setback only gives a remaining 2 meters to build the house

• Exemptions can be considered if

• Unique situations such as lot is not facing a road but an alley
• You can design the plan, attach a letter in the application indicating actual conditions to
the building official to ask for exemption on minimum setback requirements (this is in the
IRR of the Building Code, you are protected by law)
Why are there precedence?

• From owner
• Some properties existing, do not follow the code

• Good for them, but there will come a time when a

new official will come and will adhere with sidewalk
requirements, they have a risk of demolition
• It is not wise to break ordinances and laws of the
Republic
Why are there precedence? (con’t)

• Maybe some structures are built

before the building code was
created
• 50s or 60s
 Road widening

• If your lot is in Provincial Road, National Road or Highway, you really have
to check the future plan for road widening, even the setback allotment on
your lot will be part of the road widening, check with the National
Government carefully
• Is it 15m, 18m, 20m from the center if the road? (Check with the city planning)
• You must have foresight to avoid more expense
• Research, Research, Research
Others
Others
Others
 Encountered Problems

• Malolos
• Shuta
• References:
• NBCP
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djPB0in41gs