Best Practices

Site Evaluation Checklist

Excerpted and adapted from an article in The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 13th edition

The AIA collects and disseminates Best Practices as a service to AIA members without endorsement or recommendation.
Appropriate use of the information provided is the responsibility of the reader.

A well-executed site analysis forms the essential —Erosion channels

foundation for a cost-effective, environmentally —Extent, location, and general configuration of
sensitive, and rational approach to project development. rocks, ledges, outcrops, ridges, drainage lines,
A checklist of the factors that may be involved in and other unique features
evaluating a site follows. Although lengthy, this list is not —Visual characteristics
all-inclusive; new factors are added from time to time. —Potential problem areas during construction:
Information is usually collected only for those items that siltation, erosion, etc.
are pertinent to a project.
Analysis of physical features, including major focal and
vantage points and their relationships within, into, and
P H Y S I C AL F AC T O R S
out from the site
Climate
Existing access and circulation
Prevailing winds —Vehicular
—Direction —Pedestrian
—Maximum, minimum, and average velocities
—Special forces (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes) Vegetation

Solar orientation Existing water bodies

—Sun angles —Location, size, depth, direction of flow
—Days of sunlight —Water quality: clean, polluted, anaerobic
—Cloud cover conditions, etc.
—Shading of (or from) adjacent structures, natural —Use: seasonal, year-round
features, and vegetation —Wetlands: ecological features
—Variations: expected water levels, tides, wave
Temperature action
—Ranges of variation —Coastal features
—Maximums and minimums
Drainage canals: rivers, streams, marshes, lakes,
Humidity ponds, etc.
—Ranges of variation —Natural and built
—Maximums and minimums —Alignments and gradients
Precipitation —Pattern and direction
—Peak period totals Existing waterway easements
—Annual and seasonal totals —Surface
Topography —Subsurface

Legal property description, including limits of property, Surface drainage

easement, rights of way, and north indication —Patterns on and off the site (location of streams
and washes)
Topographic maps and aerial photos —Proximity to floodplains
—Contours and spot elevations Maximum flood levels
—Slopes: percentage, aspect, orientation Frequently flooded areas
—Escarpments

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—Local watershed areas, amount of runoff G E N E R AL S E R V I C E S

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
Fire and police protection
Trash/refuse removal services
Snow removal, including on-site storage
C U L T U R AL F AC T O R S
Site History

Former Site Uses

G E O T E C H N I C AL / S O I L S
—Hazardous dumping
Basic surface soil type: sand, clay, silt, rock, shale, —Landfill
gravel, loam, limestone, etc. —Old foundations
Rock and soil type: character/formation and origin —Archaeological grounds
—Geologic formation process and parent material History of existing structures
—Inclination —Historic worth
—Bearing capacity —Affiliations
Bedrock —Outline
—Depth to bedrock —Location
—Bedrock classification —Floor elevations
—Type
Seismic conditions —Condition
Environmental hazards —Use or service
Land Use, Ownership, and Control
UTILITIES
Present zoning of site and adjacent property
Potable water
Adjacent (surrounding) land uses
Electricity
—Present
Gas —Projected
—Probable effects on the development site
Telephone
Type of land ownership
Cable television
Function and pattern of land use: public domain, form
Sanitary sewer service
type, grazing, urbanized
Storm drainage (surface, subsurface) —Current
—Former
Fire protection
Location, type, and size of pertinent community services
I M M E D I AT E S U R R O U N D I N G S —Schools and churches
Neighborhood structures: buildings, satellite dishes, etc. —Shopping centers
—Parks
Shading and solar access —Municipal services
Noise from streets, emergency services, aircraft, etc. —Recreational facilities
—Banks
Odors —Food services
Views and vistas —Health services
—Access to highways, public transportation

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Economic Value —Detention/retention ponds

Political jurisdictions and land costs Parks

—Open space requirements
Accepted “territories”
—Park and playground requirements
Future potential —Screening from adjacent uses

Size of surrounding lots and approximate price ranges Environmental Regulations

Water, sewer, recycling, solid waste disposal

R E G U L AT O R Y F AC T O R S
Zoning Codes Clean air requirements

Permitted uses Soil conservation

—By variance Protected areas, wetlands, floodplains, coastal zones,
—By special use permits wild and scenic areas
—Accessory structures
Fish and wildlife protection
Minimum site area requirements
Protection of archaeological resources
Building height limits
Other Codes and Requirements
Yard (setback) requirements
Historic preservation and landmarks
Lot coverage
Architectural (design) controls
—Floor area ratio (FAR)
—Percentage of coverage Special districts
—Open space requirements
Miscellaneous, e.g., mobile homes, billboards, noise
Off-street parking requirements
Site-related items in building codes
Landscaping requirements —Building separation
—Parking and access for persons with disabilities
Sign requirements
—Service and emergency vehicle access and
Subdivision, Site Plan Review, and Other Local parking
Requirements
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
Lot requirements
—Size See also “Site Analysis,” by
—Configuration Floyd Zimmerman, FASLA,
—Setbacks and coverage The Architect’s Handbook
of Professional Practice,
Street requirements 13th edition, Chapter 17,
—Widths page 529. The Handbook
—Geometry: grades, curves can be ordered from the
—Curbs and curb cuts AIA Store by calling 800-
—Road construction standards 242-3837 (option 4) or by
—Placement of utilities sending e-mail to
—Dead-end streets bookstore@aia.org.
—Intersection geometry
—Sidewalks
—Names M O R E B E S T P R AC T I C E S
Drainage requirements The following AIA Best Practices provide additional
—Removal of spring and surface water information related to this topic:
—Stream courses
17.03.01 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
—Land subject to flooding

© 2004 The American Institute of Architects BP 17.03.02 May 2004