Legal Definitions - building line

A building line is a boundary that is drawn along the edge of a sidewalk or curb to determine how far a building must be set back from the street. This is done to maintain a consistent appearance in a municipality. It is also known as a setback requirement.

• A city ordinance requires that all buildings on Main Street have a building line of 10 feet from the curb.
• A developer must adhere to the building line requirements when constructing a new building in a residential neighborhood.

These examples illustrate how a building line is used to regulate the placement of buildings in a community. By establishing a consistent setback requirement, the appearance of the street or neighborhood is maintained, and the safety of pedestrians is ensured.