How to Legally Build Across Multiple Parcels or Lots

You can absolutely design a great project that straddles two or more lots—but you have to get the legal and permitting side right. Otherwise you risk stop-work orders, financing snags, or a building that can’t be sold or insured the way you planned. I’ve helped owners, builders, and developers do this on everything from a single home over two suburban lots to a 300,000-square-foot mixed-use project spanning an entire block. Here’s the playbook that actually works in the real world.

Why building across multiple parcels is trickier than it looks

Property lines are not just lines on paper. In most jurisdictions, a property line is treated as a “fire separation line” for building code purposes. That has several consequences:

• Many building departments won’t issue a permit for a structure that crosses a property line. Period. They will ask you to combine the lots first.
• If you insist on building near or on a property line, you trigger stricter fire-resistance ratings, limits on openings, and structural independence requirements. In the 2018/2021 IBC, for example, Section 706 treats a property line like a line that needs a fire wall, unless you eliminate it.
• Zoning rules for setbacks, lot coverage, floor area ratio (FAR), height planes, density, and parking are typically calculated per lot. If you’re spanning lots, you need a mechanism to treat them as one zoning lot or one legal lot for calculations.
• Utilities, stormwater, easements, and access get complicated fast. You could end up with a driveway on one lot serving a building on another, which requires recorded easements and sometimes special approvals.

The bottom line: you need a legal and planning strategy before your architect draws the first wall.

Two basic paths: consolidate the lots or “tie” them together

There are two families of approaches. Which one you choose depends on your location, your lender, and your design.

1) Combine the lots into one new lot

• Names vary: lot merger/lot consolidation/lot combination/replat/parcel map/lot line adjustment.
• Pros: cleanest path; the internal line disappears; permitting is easier; building can cross “old” lines without fire walls; financing and title insurance are simpler.
• Cons: time and fees; triggers review under subdivision laws; sometimes you lose grandfathered status or face new public works requirements (sidewalk, dedications, frontage improvements).

2) Keep lots separate but legally “tie” them and cross them with easements

• Tools: covenant to hold parcels together (lot tie agreement/parcel tie), reciprocal easement agreements (REAs), zoning lot merger (common in NYC), development agreements, and occasionally air rights.
• Pros: faster than a full plat in some places; lets you maintain separate tax lots for phasing or financing; useful if building does not physically cross the line but relies on adjacent lot for parking or access.
• Cons: building codes still treat the property line as a fire separation line. If your building crosses that line, most jurisdictions will not accept just an easement—you’ll need either a formal zoning lot mechanism (where allowed) or a recorded merger. Lenders and title companies often demand an aggregation or contiguity endorsement and a recorded lot tie.

A simple rule of thumb from years of projects: if your structure (or any permanent element like a canopy or balcony) crosses the line, plan on a lot consolidation or a recognized “zoning lot” method in that jurisdiction. If you’re only sharing site features (parking, trash, utilities), a robust REA and lot tie can be enough.

A practical, step-by-step roadmap

Step 1: Define the project and check your zoning

Before you pay surveyors, get clear on program and feasibility.

• Confirm zoning for each parcel: district, allowed uses, density/FAR, height, setbacks, coverage.
• Identify differences across parcels: two parcels might be in different zones or overlays. Ask your planner whether a merger pulls you into one zone’s rules or applies the most restrictive standards parcel-by-parcel. This drives your design strategy.
• Look for overlays and quirks: floodplain, wetlands, coastal zones, historic districts, airport overlays, special height planes, or neighborhood design standards. These can affect merging, setbacks, and construction details.
• Scan for minimum lot size and frontage requirements: if you merge or adjust lines, your end result must meet minimum width/frontage. Don’t accidentally create a nonconforming lot.

Action tip: book a 30–60 minute pre-application meeting with the planning department. Bring a sketch and your zoning questions. It’s the cheapest way to avoid redesigns.

Step 2: Order professional surveys and title work

You can’t fix what you can’t see.

• ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey: request an ALTA survey with boundary, improvements, easements, utilities, and topography. Ask the surveyor to show each parcel boundary, any gaps/overlaps, encroachments, and all recorded easements affecting the parcels. If you plan to merge, ask for a proposed new boundary exhibit.
• Title commitment: order a title commitment for each parcel. You’ll use this to identify deed restrictions, liens, and easements that could block a merger or require consents (utility easements often need sign-off if you adjust lines).
• Contiguity check: ask the surveyor to certify contiguity—no gaps or gores between the parcels. Title companies commonly issue a contiguity or aggregation endorsement if the survey proves the parcels truly touch.
• Legal descriptions: if parcels are metes-and-bounds, watch for conflicts between the deed and the plat. You may need corrective deeds or a replat.

Budget: $4,000–$15,000 for an ALTA survey on small urban sites; more for large or complex tracts. Title commitments are usually modest upfront, with fees folded into closing.

Step 3: Choose the legal mechanism

This is where local jargon matters. Here are the main tools and where they fit.

• Lot merger/lot consolidation/lot combination: administrative process to combine contiguous lots into one. Common in California, Colorado, Washington, and many cities nationwide. Usually handled by planning staff; recorded with the county. Timeline: 1–3 months. Fees: $500–$5,000 plus survey/legal.
• Lot line adjustment/boundary line adjustment: shifts or eliminates a line between two parcels without creating additional lots. Good for erasing a line under your proposed building. In many places, this is the fastest fix. Timeline: 1–3 months. Fees: $500–$5,000 plus survey/legal.
• Replat/parcel map/minor subdivision: if your jurisdiction treats mergers as a type of plat, you’ll file a new plat map. Adds steps (public works, utility reviews). Timeline: 3–9 months. Fees: $2,000–$25,000 plus survey/engineering.
• Zoning lot merger (e.g., NYC, parts of Chicago): allows you to aggregate lots for zoning calculations (FAR, setbacks) while keeping separate tax lots. Requires a Zoning Lot Development Agreement (ZLDA) and often notices/consents from parties with interest in the parcels. Timeline: 2–6 months. Legal fees can be significant.
• Covenant to hold parcels together (lot tie/parcel tie): recorded agreement that prohibits separate sale or development of the parcels without consent of the city. Some building departments use this to allow cross-lot development without a formal plat. Often paired with an REA. Timeline: 2–8 weeks if administrative.
• Reciprocal Easement Agreement (REA): sets rules for shared access, utilities, stormwater, parking, signage, and maintenance across parcels—especially when parcels remain separate for financing or phasing. Lenders like it thorough.
• Condominium or PUD map: if you need separate ownership of portions of a single building (e.g., retail condo below apartments), you typically merge lots into one parcel and then create a condo map to divide space vertically. Also used in “horizontal property regimes” (HPR) in some states.
• Air rights/encroachment permits: when the line is a public right-of-way or you’re spanning a tiny gap, you may need to purchase air rights or get an encroachment license. Timelines vary wildly.

If you’re building a single structure that physically crosses a line, prioritize a line elimination method (lot line adjustment or merger). If your structure stays on one lot but relies on another for parking or access, the REA + lot tie route can work well.

Step 4: Assemble your team (light but essential)

• Land use attorney: worth their weight when it comes to choosing the right mechanism, drafting REAs, and coordinating lender/title approvals. Budget $5,000–$50,000 depending on complexity.
• Surveyor/civil engineer: prepares plats, legal descriptions, and utility/stormwater plans. Budget $5,000–$40,000+ depending on mapping and drainage work.
• Architect: adjust design to new “merged” setbacks, fire separation, and life-safety rules. Coordinate with code reviewer early.
• Title officer: discuss endorsements you’ll need once the lots are combined (contiguity/aggregation, access, same-parcel coverage for improvements that cross former lines).
• Planner at the City/County: treat them like a partner; their early input can save months.

Step 5: File applications and get approvals

Typical submittal package includes:

• Application form and fees.
• Survey exhibits: existing parcels and proposed merged or adjusted lot lines.
• Draft new legal description(s).
• Title commitments and list of encumbrances.
• Utility letters or sign-offs if easements are affected.
• For plat/replats: civil drawings for stormwater, grading, and utilities; sometimes traffic or dedication plans.

Expect at least one staff review round. If a planning commission hearing is required (less common for simple mergers, more common for replats), build in 4–8 weeks for noticing and scheduling.

Pro tip: public works reviewers can be the critical path if your merger triggers frontage improvements or stormwater upgrades. Ask if your project is grandfathered or if a deferral agreement is available.

Step 6: Align the financing and title insurance

Lenders and title insurers care about how the collateral is configured.

• Construction lenders often require one consolidated lot for a single building that spans former lines. If you keep parcels separate, they may require cross-collateralization and a lot tie agreement prohibiting separate sale.
• Title endorsements: request contiguity and aggregation endorsements so the title policy treats the multiple former parcels as a single insured tract. Also ask about access and encroachment coverage across internal lines. Your title officer will tell you what their underwriter requires (usually an ALTA survey that shows contiguity and the absence of gaps/overlaps).
• Existing deeds of trust: if you change legal descriptions, you usually need lender consent and reconvey/modify deeds to reflect the new parcel. Build this into your timeline.

Timeline impact: lender and title coordination can add 2–6 weeks even on straightforward deals.

Step 7: Record and update everything

When you receive approval:

• Record the lot merger/plat/adjustment with the county recorder.
• Record any associated agreements (REA, lot tie, ZLDA, utility easements).
• Update the assessor and GIS records. It can take weeks or months for new parcel numbers to populate publicly.
• Confirm that the building department and fire department reference the new parcel(s) and address for your permit set.

Tip: ask your surveyor for an updated ALTA survey reflecting the newly recorded parcel. Lenders and title companies often require it at close or before first draw.

Step 8: Design and permit with the new constraints

Now you can bake the final rules into the construction set:

• Remove internal property line from code calculations if merged. Your fire separation distances and opening allowances may improve.
• Recalculate setbacks and lot coverage using the new lot configuration or zoning lot agreement.
• Finalize egress paths, fire lanes, and hydrant locations with fire marshal sign-off—especially when access crosses former parcel boundaries.
• Lock down utility points of connection and meters. Some utilities require separate meters per tax parcel; others allow a campus-style setup if lots are tied.

Step 9: Build, inspect, and close out without surprises

• Bring copies of your recorded docs to pre-construction and pre-final inspections. Inspectors are human—showing the merger or lot tie resolves questions quickly.
• If you’re phasing, coordinate temporary certificates of occupancy with your REA and easements in place so each phase has legal access and utilities before the final parcel map or condo map is recorded.

How the building code and zoning treat property lines

Property line as a fire separation line

Under the IBC, the property line drives fire-resistance and opening limits:

• Building within a few feet of a property line usually needs higher fire-resistance ratings and restricted openings along that façade. If you eliminate the line, the constraint goes away.
• Two buildings on separate lots can touch if separated by a compliant fire wall. But you’ll need structural independence, and the wall must extend through the roof—rarely worth it if you can merge lots.
• If you can’t merge and must cross the line, expect the building official to require a recorded restriction that treats the lots as one for fire purposes. Some jurisdictions still won’t accept this—always ask early.

Setbacks, coverage, FAR, and density

• After merger, your setbacks typically apply to the outer boundary of the new lot, not the former internal line.
• Lot coverage and FAR calculations typically improve when you can count area across both lots. Get the planner’s opinion in writing—some cities have odd rules for nonconforming lots or overlay zones.
• Parking can be counted across a zoning lot in many jurisdictions if tied by an REA.

Zoning differences across parcels

If two parcels have different zones:

• A merger might not be allowed; you may need a rezone or to keep separate parcels with a zoning lot agreement where available.
• Some cities let you straddle a zone line if your use is permitted in both zones and you meet the stricter development standards where applicable.

Real-world examples

Example 1: Single-family home across two suburban lots

A client wanted a 4,500-square-foot custom home centered over the line between two 50-foot-wide R-1 lots. The plan had big windows and a side-loaded garage—both nonstarters if the property line stayed.

• Strategy: simple lot merger through the city planning department.
• Process: ALTA survey in 3 weeks; staff-level merger approved in 6 weeks; recorded in week 9. Fees and costs ran about $8,500 (survey + city fees + attorney review).
• Outcome: setbacks recalculated from the new combined 100-foot frontage; we gained 5% more lot coverage and eliminated fire-rating headaches.

Common pitfall avoided: The client’s initial thought was to do an easement over the line. The building official said no—either eliminate the line or install a 2-hour fire wall with no openings where the line fell. The merger was faster and cheaper than redesigning the house.

Example 2: Commercial building over three downtown lots

A neighborhood retail center needed a 25,000-square-foot building that spanned three small platted lots. We also needed shared parking and drive aisles.

• Strategy: replat into one lot because public works wanted updated easements; plus a thorough REA for neighboring parcels that were sharing a driveway.
• Process: pre-application meeting identified required utility sign-offs; replat reviewed by planning commission; 5 months from submittal to recordation due to utility relocation coordination.
• Costs: roughly $42,000 (survey/plat, legal, city fees, traffic memo) plus $120,000 in frontage improvements required as a condition.
• Outcome: one new lot made the building permit seamless; REA covered shared access and stormwater maintenance with the neighbor.

Common pitfall avoided: utility companies insisted on new blanket easements after the replat. Getting their signatures was the longest pole in the tent. We started those conversations on day one.

Example 3: Office building on one lot, parking on the lot next door

An investor-owned the office site and a separate parcel for parking, but the building stayed on one lot.

• Strategy: keep lots separate for financing; record a reciprocal easement agreement granting perpetual parking, access, stormwater, and utilities; record a lot tie agreement prohibiting separate sale without city consent.
• Process: no plat required; staff-level approvals with planning and fire; permits issued within 6 weeks.
• Note: lender required cross-collateralization and title endorsements confirming access and aggregation for coverage across parcels.

Common pitfall avoided: weak REAs. We’ve seen short “driveway easements” cause big headaches later. This REA spelled out maintenance, insurance, damage, relocations, signage, and shared trash/recycling.

Example 4: Urban high-rise using a zoning lot merger

In New York City, the client assembled air rights from three adjacent lots. Rather than physically merging tax lots, we used a zoning lot merger and recorded a Zoning Lot Development Agreement.

• Strategy: aggregate FAR from multiple lots to increase buildable area while keeping separate tax lots for future phases.
• Process: 4 months of legal work coordinating consents from parties-in-interest; title company issued contiguity and zoning lot endorsements; DOB accepted plans based on the zoning lot.
• Outcome: increased allowable floor area by 18% without a traditional lot merger; complex but powerful tool when available.

Common pitfall avoided: missing subordination from a small lienholder on a neighboring lot. The ZLDA needs clean consents from every party with an interest—don’t skip the title tree.

Costs and timelines you can actually plan around

• Surveys: $4,000–$15,000 for small urban parcels; $15,000–$50,000+ for larger tracts or complex easement mapping.
• Planning fees:
  • Lot line adjustment/merger: $500–$5,000.
  • Replat/parcel map: $2,000–$25,000 (city-dependent).
  • Public hearing fees if needed: $1,000–$5,000.
• Professional fees: land use attorney ($5,000–$50,000), civil engineer ($5,000–$40,000+), traffic/stormwater studies ($2,000–$20,000 as triggered).
• Public works conditions: frontage improvements, utility relocations, dedications—budgets vary widely. I’ve seen $0 on small LLA’s and six figures on urban replats.
• Timeframes:
  • Administrative merger/LLA: 1–3 months.
  • Replat/minor subdivision: 3–9 months.
  • Zoning lot merger or complex REAs: 2–6 months.
  • Utility company signatures: add 4–12 weeks depending on their backlog.

Build these into your Gantt chart before you lock the GC start.

Common mistakes that cost real money

• Designing before you check if you can erase the line. Too many teams “assume” the city will let them bridge the line with an easement. When the permit tech says “no,” you lose months.
• Ordering a basic boundary survey instead of an ALTA. You need easements and encroachments on one sheet to satisfy title, lender, and the city.
• Ignoring the fire code. Two-hour fire walls, parapet extensions, no windows where you wanted them—these can blow up a façade if you don’t merge.
• Forgetting lender and title steps. Changing legal descriptions mid-loan can trigger consent requirements. Loop the lender in early.
• Weak easements. A one-page driveway easement won’t cover utilities, stormwater, trash, signage, and maintenance. An REA should read like an operating manual for the site.
• Overlooking utility providers. They sometimes require new easements or prohibit joint metering across parcels. Talk to them before final plat.
• Assuming a quitclaim deed “fixes” a property line. It doesn’t. Property lines are established by plats and legal descriptions—not by a deed between neighbors that doesn’t match the recorded map.

Practical design and permitting tips

• Put the “former property line” on your demo and site plans with a note: “Former property line eliminated per Lot Line Adjustment recorded [date], doc #.” Inspectors appreciate the clarity.
• Run a “code delta” after merger. You might gain window area, reduce fire ratings, or recover buildable width. We’ve revised elevations mid-permit to add windows once the line disappeared.
• Lock in emergency access. Fire departments care about turning radii, hydrant spacing, and unobstructed fire lanes—even if your lots are tied. Record the fire lane easement if it crosses parcels.
• Addressing matters. Confirm with addressing staff whether your merged lot gets one address or if suites are assigned. 911 databases need this right before occupancy.
• Plan stormwater across the whole site. If your detention pond is on one parcel serving another, record a stormwater maintenance easement with a clear O&M plan.
• Parking math: if you’re counting stalls on both parcels, make sure your REA or zoning lot agreement explicitly allows it, and the city recognizes cross-parcel parking.

Special situations and state-by-state highlights

Every state has its own quirks, but here are patterns I see frequently.

• California: Lot mergers and lot line adjustments are common and often handled administratively. CEQA usually doesn’t apply to simple LLAs and mergers (categorical exemptions), but replats that trigger public improvements can get more scrutiny. Many cities require “covenant and agreement to hold as one parcel” for certain cases—even after a merger—particularly in Los Angeles.
• Texas: “Replat” is the term of art. Statutes set clear timelines for city/county review. Expect platting if any public improvements or dedications are involved; simple LLAs are also available in many jurisdictions.
• Florida: Many counties require a replat for lot combinations in platted subdivisions. Watch floodplain rules—combined lots may trigger higher elevation requirements or compensatory storage if you regrade.
• New York City: Zoning lot mergers with ZLDAs are the go-to for FAR aggregation. DOB is strict about paperwork, and title underwriters are cautious. Expect more legal fees than you’d think, but it can unlock big value.
• Washington and Colorado: Administrative lot consolidations are common, but stormwater rules are rigorous. Expect to show integrated drainage controls for the merged site.
• Midwest (varies): Some cities offer quick “lot combo” forms; others insist on a full plat amendment. Always ask public works whether a minor plat triggers full frontage upgrades.

If your project spans multiple jurisdictions (city/county or zoning districts), ask whether a boundary line adjustment is even allowed across those lines. Sometimes you need a rezone or to maintain separate parcels with robust REAs.

Title insurance and endorsements to request

Work with your title officer early. Typical asks for cross-parcel projects:

• Contiguity endorsement: confirms parcels touch with no gaps.
• Aggregation or multiple-parcel endorsement: treats multiple parcels as one insured tract for coverage purposes.
• Access endorsement: confirms legal access over recorded easements if your frontage changes.
• Encroachment/affirmative coverage: sometimes available for improvements crossing former internal lines once merged.
• Zoning endorsements: available in some markets for confirmation of permitted use/FAR based on zoning lot agreements.

You’ll need an ALTA survey that supports these endorsements.

If you’ve already built across a line or discovered an encroachment

It happens more often than people admit.

• Identify the magnitude on an ALTA survey. How far does the building or slab cross?
• Explore a line adjustment first. It’s often the fastest cure if both parcels are under common control or if your neighbor is cooperative.
• If a neighbor is involved, budget for consideration. I’ve seen 2–5% of land value paid to adjust a strip. Add legal fees and survey costs.
• As a fallback, a recorded airspace parcel or condo can sometimes legalize a “lean” or canopy overhang—jurisdiction-dependent.
• Title insurance claims may be an option if a prior survey or title policy missed the issue. Expect a long process; don’t rely on it to keep construction moving.

Selling, phasing, and long-term operations

If you plan to sell pieces or phase the project:

• Consider merging first for clean construction, then create a condominium map to sell components (e.g., retail condo, garage condo). This lets you keep a single building while allowing separate ownership.
• Draft a comprehensive REA that survives any parcel splits or condo sales, covering:
  • Shared access and parking allocations
  • Utility and stormwater lines, meters, and relocation rules
  • Trash, loading, signage, and façade control
  • Cost-sharing and dispute resolution
  • Insurance and indemnities
• Don’t forget lender consent and partial releases if you plan to sell a portion. Bake release prices and conditions into your loan documents.

Checklist: what to handle before you design over a line

• Pull zoning for each parcel and ask how merged lots are treated for setbacks, FAR, and parking.
• Schedule a pre-app with planning and fire. Ask directly: “Will you issue a permit for a structure that crosses a property line if we only record an easement or lot tie?” Write down their answer.
• Order an ALTA/NSPS survey showing existing lines, easements, and improvements.
• Order title commitments for each parcel and map all encumbrances.
• Talk to utilities about meters and easements. Ask if they require new easements after a plat.
• Choose your mechanism: LLA/merger, replat, zoning lot merger, REA/lot tie, condo/PUD.
• Get your team aligned: attorney, surveyor, civil, architect, title officer, lender.
• Build a timeline with realistic durations and decision gates.
• Prepare high-quality submittals with clear exhibits. Label the “former property line” wherever it helps reviewers.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I just record an easement over the property line and build across it?
  • Usually no. For structures crossing lines, most building officials require the line to be eliminated via a merger/LLA or an accepted zoning lot mechanism. Easements handle access/utilities, not fire and building separation.
• If I merge lots, can I un-merge later?
  • Sometimes, but it’s not a simple toggle. You’ll need a new plat or subdivision and must meet current standards. Assume future re-splits will take time and money.
• Will my property taxes go up after merging?
  • Assessors typically value land and improvements regardless of lot count. A merger alone doesn’t increase value, but if it enables a bigger project, your assessed value will reflect the completed improvement.
• Do I need neighbor consent?
  • Not usually for internal mergers of your own lots. If your merger affects recorded easements that benefit others, you may need consents. Public replats with hearings invite public comment.
• How long does a simple lot line adjustment take?
  • In many cities, 4–8 weeks once you have a clean survey and title packet. Add time for utility sign-offs if easements are impacted.

A few pro moves from the field

• Draw two site plans: one that assumes the line goes away, and a “Plan B” that shows code-compliant separation in case your merger hits a roadblock. It keeps you from losing weeks if an agency asks for changes.
• Lock down stormwater early. If your merged parcel bumps you into a higher disturbance threshold, you might trigger detention or water quality requirements. It’s much cheaper to plan the pond from day one.
• Don’t bury the lede in your submittal. Page 1 should say: “Project will combine Parcel A (APN 123-456-01) and Parcel B (APN 123-456-02) into one legal lot via Lot Line Adjustment to enable a single building that formerly crossed the internal line.” Reviewers appreciate clarity.
• Phase intelligently. If financing needs separate parcels, consider merging for construction, then creating a condo map for sales/leases. Lenders like the construction collateral simple, and you still get exit flexibility.
• Treat your REA like a business plan. Spell out who maintains what, how costs are shared, and what happens when an owner wants to expand or relocate utilities. Good REAs prevent neighbor wars later.

What your schedule should look like

Here’s a realistic sequence for a mid-size commercial project that will build across two lots:

• Weeks 0–2: Pre-app with planning/fire; scope ALTA survey and title.
• Weeks 2–6: Survey and title research; schematic design updates to reflect likely merger path.
• Weeks 6–10: Submit lot line adjustment or merger application; initiate utility consent process; draft REA/lot tie if needed.
• Weeks 10–18: Agency review; address comments; secure lender/title preliminary approvals; finalize legal docs.
• Weeks 18–22: Approval and recordation; update ALTA survey with new boundary; finalize building permit submittal.
• Weeks 22–30: Building permit review (can overlap with earlier steps in some cities); prep for construction start.

Yes, you can compress pieces or run certain tasks in parallel. The key is not waiting on survey/title or planning feedback—those are almost always the critical path.

Wrapping up: the smart way to build across multiple lots

• If your building crosses a property line, plan to erase the line with a lot line adjustment or merger, or use a recognized zoning lot mechanism where available.
• If you’re just sharing site features (parking, access, utilities), use a strong REA and, if the jurisdiction offers it, a lot tie agreement that keeps the parcels joined for development.
• Get an ALTA survey and title work early, loop in your lender and title officer, and engage the city through a pre-application meeting before you fall in love with a design.
• Expect 1–3 months for simple administrative mergers and 3–9 months for replats that pull in public works. Budget for surveys, legal, and sometimes frontage improvements.
• Document everything well—recorded plats, REAs, lot ties, and updated surveys make your permit, inspections, financing, and future sale go smoothly.

Make the parcels work for your project—not the other way around. With the right plan and a little front-end effort, you can unlock the full potential of side-by-side lots without surprises later.