Utility Clearances for Metal Buildings: What You Must Know Before You Place Your Building
Buried lines, overhead power, septic systems, and wells all have required clearances that affect where you can legally build. Here is what to check before you stake your corners.
One of the most common and most expensive mistakes in metal building placement is not checking utility clearances before you commit to a location. I have seen customers have to move a building — or worse, move a septic system — because they did not check first.
These clearances are not suggestions. They are legal requirements, and violating them can force you to relocate the structure at your own expense.
Step 1: Call 811 Before You Do Anything
811 is the national "Call Before You Dig" number. Call it (or submit online at call811.com) at least three business days before any digging, grading, or ground disturbance. A locating crew will come out and mark the locations of buried utilities — gas, electric, water, sewer, telecom, and cable — with color-coded flags or paint.
This service is free. Using it is required by law in most states.
Important: 811 marks the lines, but it does not tell you what you can build near them. That is a separate conversation with each utility provider.
Buried Utility Clearances
Once your lines are marked, contact each utility provider to get their specific setback requirements. General minimums that apply in most areas:
- Buried electric: 10 feet minimum from any permanent structure
- Buried gas: 10 feet minimum; some providers require 18–24 feet for high-pressure lines
- Buried water/sewer: 5–10 feet depending on local code
- Telecom/cable: Usually 5 feet, but verify with the provider
These are minimums. Your local building department may have stricter requirements.
Overhead Power Lines
Overhead power lines require significantly more clearance than buried lines. The National Electrical Code and most utility providers require:
- Residential service lines (up to 150V): 10 feet minimum horizontal clearance from any structure
- Higher voltage distribution lines: 20+ feet; contact your utility for the specific requirement
- Vertical clearance: The roof of your building must maintain clearance below the lowest point of the line
If overhead lines run across your property, measure their height and horizontal position before finalizing your building location. Do not assume you have clearance — verify it.
Septic System Clearances
If your property has a septic system, your building placement is restricted by county health department rules. Typical requirements:
- Septic tank: 10 feet minimum from any permanent structure with a foundation or concrete floor
- Drain field / leach field: 50–100 feet minimum from any permanent structure; this varies significantly by county
- Reserve drain field area: Many counties require you to preserve a backup drain field area — you cannot build on it even if the primary field is elsewhere
Violating septic setbacks is serious. The county can require you to remove the structure or relocate the septic system — both are expensive.
Well Clearances
If your property has a private well, state and county rules govern how close you can build to it:
- Most states: 50 feet minimum from a well to any permanent structure with a concrete floor
- Some states: 100 feet or more, especially for structures that will house chemicals, fuel, or livestock
Check with your county health department for the specific requirement in your area.
Easements
Utility easements are legal rights-of-way that allow utility companies to access their lines across your property. You typically cannot build a permanent structure within an easement.
Easement locations are recorded in your property deed and plat. Pull your property records from the county assessor's office and look for recorded easements before you finalize your building location.
The Right Order of Operations
- Pull your property records and identify recorded easements
- Call 811 and get all buried utilities marked
- Contact each utility provider for their specific setback requirements
- Check with the county health department for septic and well setbacks
- Check with your local building department for any additional requirements
- Then — and only then — finalize your building location
It takes a few phone calls and a few days. It is worth every minute.
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Written by
Sean Duncan — Rescue Metal Designs
Content creator and writer sharing insights and stories.
