Setback requirements

[fastawake]

I am planning on building a small house on a 2/3 acre rural parcel. How do I find out what the setback requirements are from a creek and a river.  Is there a difference.

[Ivo]

Thanx for your participation Fastawake
Take one original and three copies of the plano catastrado (official survey) to INVU, which is located 300 north of the Aurola Holiday Inn hotel downtown San José and fill out the form they give you there. You'll be asking for "retiros". They'll give it back to you in three days. You also need a certificación de Registro Publico of the property. Both documents you can get at the Registro in Zapote.
Hope this gets you on the way.

[Jogi]

Dear Fastawake,

if you contact the local government (Municipalidad) they will tell you about the setbacks. If you don't speak Spanish have your attorney builder or architect doing that, they know the system and can get the info very quick.
It depends where you are and if there is a Plano Regulador in place. In Rural areas, especially in more remote areas there might be not yet a "Plano Regulador" in place. Anyhow, the "Municipalidad" (Muni) is the best source to ask, as they will later give you the building permit based on the architectural drawings you submitt.

Ask the Muni for the "USO del SUELO" (Use of the land) beside the setback, you will also be able to find out about any other restrictions like hight, size, max. coverage and type of use like residential, commercial, tourism or mix etc.

Hope that helps you further

[fastawake]

Thank you for your responses.  I guess it's a little more complicated than I thought.  I figured 50 meters from a river or 15 meters from a creek or something standard country wide.  Good to know.

[Russ]

It is a good idea to do as suggested above once you find property that you are seriously considering, but obviously not for every property you look at.

Here are some general guidelines :

There is a 20 - 50 meter zone on each  side of rivers and creeks where you may not build or cut trees. (the width depends on the slope of the river banks)
You have the 50 meter maritime zone on beach property that is public except in certain special cases.  No permanent structure may exist here.

Each property has a setback from the street, sides and at the back of the property, specified in the city zoning plan by area or by characteristics of the street or area:
In urban areas for homes, businesses, and services the setback is normally 3 meters from the property line in the front and back, no minimum on the sides.
In rural areas the setback is from 5 to 15 meters on all sides, depending on the size of the farm or quinta, the use it is put to and the location.

(Source for measurements is the Zoning Plan for Coronado, your mileage may vary  )