The following site analysis is in the format by Floyd Zimmerman, FASLA, and approved by the

American Institute of Architects:

Physical Factors

PREVAILING WINDS
Direction
Maximum, minimum, and
average velocities
Special forces (e.g. tornadoes,
hurricanes)

SOLAR ORIENTATION
Sun angles
Days of sunlight
Cloud cover
Climate

Shading of adjacent structures,

natural features, and vegetation
TEMPERATURE
Ranges of variation
Maximums and minimums

HUMIDITY
Ranges of variation
Maximums and minimums
PRECIPITATION
Peak period totals
Annual and seasonal tools
LEGAL PROPERTY and
description including limits of
property easement, rights of
way, and north indication
Topography

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS AND AERIAL PHOTOS

Contours and spot elevations

Slopes: percentage, aspect,
orientation
Escarpments
Erosion channels
Extent, location, and general
configuration of rocks, ledges,
outcrops, ridges, drainage lines,
and other unique features
Visual characteristics
Potential problem areas during
construction: siltation, erosion,
etc.
ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL
FEATURES, including major
focal and vantage points and
their relationships within, into,
and out from the site

EXISTING ACCESS AND CIRCULATION

Vehicular
Pedestrian

VEGETATION

EXISITING WATER BODIES

Location, size, depth, direction

of flow
Water quality: clean, polluted,
anaerobic conditions, etc.
Use: seasonal, year-round
Wetlands: ecological features
Variations: expected water
levels, tides, wave action
Coastal features
DRAINAGE CANALS:
rivers, streams, marshes, lakes, ponds, etc.
Natural and built
Alignments and gradients
Pattern and direction

EXISTING WATERWAY EASEMENTS

Surface
Subsurface

SURFACE DRAINAGE

Patterns on and off the site

(locations of streams and
washes)
Proximity to floodplains
a. Maximum flood levels
b. Frequently flooded areas
Local watershed areas, amount
 of runoff collected, and location
of outfalls
Swampy and concave areas of
land without positive drainage
and other obstacles that may
interrupt or obstruct natural
surface drainage
Potential areas for
impoundments,
detention/retention ponds
UNIQUE SITE FEATURES
BASIC SURFACE SOIL: sand
clay silt, rock, shale, gravel,
loam, limestone, etc.
ROCK AND SOIL TYPE:
character/formation and origin
Geologic formation process and
Geotechnical/soils

parent material
Inclination
Bearing capacity

BEDROCK
Depth to bedrock
Bedrock classification

SEISMIC CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

POTABLE WATER

ELECTRICITY

GAS

TELEPHONE
Utilities

CABLE TELEVISION

SANITARY SEWER SERVICE

STORM DRAINAGE (surface,

subsurface)

FIRE PROTECTION
 NEIGHBORHOOD
STRUCTURES: buildings,
satellite dishes, etc.
Immediate Surroundings

SHADING AND SOLAR

ACCESS

NOISE: from streets, emergency

services, aircraft, etc.

ODORS

VIEWS AND VISTAS

FIRE PROTECTION AND

POLICE PROTECTION
General Services

TRASH/REFUSE REMOVAL
SERVICES

SNOW REMOVAL,
INCLUDING ON-SITE
STORAGE

Cultural Factors

FORMER SITE USES

Hazardous dumping
Landfill
Old foundations
Archaeological grounds
Site History

HISTORY OF EXISITING STRUCTURES

Historic worth
Affiliations
Outline
Location
Floor elevation
Type
Condition
Use or service
 PRESENT ZONING OF SITE
AND ADJACENT PROPERTY

ADJACENT LAND USES

Present
Projected
Probable effects on the
Land Use, Ownership, and Control

development of this site

TYPE OF LAND OWNERSHIP

FUNCTION AND PATTERN OF LAND USE:

public domain, farm type, grazing, urbanized
Present
Former

LOCATION, TYPE, AND SIZE OF PERTINENT COMMUNITY SERVICES

Schools and churches
Shopping centers
Parks
Municipal services
Recreational facilities
Banks
Food services
Health services
Access to highways, public
transportation

POLITICAL JURISDICTIONS
AND LAND COSTS
Economic Value

ACCEPTED “TERRITORIES”

FUTURE POTENTIAL

SIZE OF SURROUNDING
LOTS AND APPROXIMATE
AND PRICE RANGES
 Regulatory Factors

PERMITTED USES
By variance
By special use permits
Accessory structures

MINIMUM SITE AREA

REQUIREMENTS

BUILDING HEIGHT LIMITS

YARD (setback)
Zoning Codes

REQUIREMENTS

LOT COVERAGE
Floor area ratio (FAR)
Percentage of coverage
Open space requirements

OFF-STREET PARKING
REQUIREMENTS

LANDSCAPING
REQUIREMENTS

SIGN REQUIREMENTS

LOT REQUIREMENTS
Subdivision, Site Plan Review, and

Size
Other Local Requirements

Configuration
Setbacks and coverage
STREET REQUIREMENTS
Widths
Geometry: grades, curves
Curbs and curb cuts
Road construction standards
Placement of utilities
Dead-end streets
Intersection geometry
Sidewalks
Names
 DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS
Removal of spring and surface
water
Stream courses
Land subject to flooding
Detention/retention ponds

PARKS
Open space requirements
Park and playground
requirements
Screening from adjacent uses

WATER, SEWER, RECYCLING,

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

CLEAN AIR REQUIREMENTS

Environmental Regulations

SOIL CONSERVATION

PROTECTED AREAS,
WETLANDS, FLOODPLAINS,
COASTAL ZONES, WILD AND
SCENIC AREAS

FISH AND WILDLIFE

PROTECTION

PROTECTION OF
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
RESOURCES

HISTORIC PRESERVATION
AND LANDMARKS
Other Codes and Requirements

ARCHITECTURAL CONTROLS

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

MISCELLANEOUS, e.g. mobile

homes, billboards, noise

SITE-RELATED ITEMS IN BUILDING CODES

Building separation
Parking and access for persons
with disabilities
Service and emergency vehicle
access