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Building Height
The Town of Springdale uses a fairly unique method of measuring building height.
Building height is measured from each point of a structure to the ground immediately below that point. This creates a building height envelope that all portions of the structure must fit under. This building height envelope is called the "virtual plane".
The height and configuration of the virtual plane, or building height envelope, is determined by the nature of the finished grade under the structure. There are three different scenarios for the grade under a building: cut, fill, or natural grade. It is also possible to have a combination of these. Specific regulations for building height are found in Chapter 10-15A of the Town Code.
The following links show simplified graphics illustrating how the virtual plane is established in each grade scenario.
Cut Grade Building Height (virtual plane) is measured from the cut grade.
Fill Grade Building Height (virtual plane) is measured from the fill grade.
Natural Grade ("Uniform Grade") When natural grade is retained on all sides of a structure, building height is measured from "uniform grade". Uniform grade is a straight line from the exterior structure wall contact with natural grade on one side of the building to the exterior structure wall contact with natural grade on the opposite side of the building.
