Buying Land for Your Toys?

Read This Before You Promise Your Boat a Garage.

It’s private, wooded, and feels massive; almost a full acre. You can already see the vision: the 4,500 sq. ft. custom home for the family, and tucked tastefully into the trees, a matching detached shop.

It’s the home for the Cobalt boat, the Airstream, or the collection of vintage 911s. You aren't just building a house; you are building a compound for your lifestyle.

The Reality Check

You close on the land. We start the design. Then, I have to give you the bad news: The shop you want is illegal.

Why? Because of the "One-Acre Cliff."

In Pierce County residential zones, there is a specific rule that catches buyers off guard constantly. If your lot is even a fraction under 1 acre (0.99 acres), detached accessory structures are strictly capped at 2,000 square feet total.

The Math That Kills the Dream

Two thousand square feet sounds like a lot—until you start parking toys.

Let’s say you want a detached garage for the daily drivers (800 sq. ft.) and a separate shop for the RV and boat (1,500 sq. ft.).

• Total Request: 2,300 sq. ft.

• The Result: Denied.

If that surveyor’s line had been just 20 feet further back—pushing you to 1.01 acres—that cap lifts, and we are usually limited only by standard setbacks and lot coverage percentages. But at 0.99 acres? You are stuck leaving the boat in the rain.

It Gets Tricker: "Gross" vs. "Net" Here is where Zillow lies to you.

The listing might say "1.05 Acres." You think you’re safe. But does the county calculate based on Gross acreage or Net Developable acreage? If there is a private road easement or a critical area buffer slicing through the corner, your "buildable" lot size might shrink below the threshold.

Suddenly, your "Estate" lot is regulated like a standard suburban parcel.

Don't Guess. Verify.

The difference between a "Legacy Compound" and a "Compromised Build" often comes down to knowing these zoning cliffs before you sign the closing papers.

I don’t just design beautiful homes; I stress-test the land to make sure it can actually hold your life.

If you are eyeing a property for your custom home (and your toys), text me the address (253-444-6912). I’ll do a 5-minute 'Red Flag' scan to see if the zoning code kills your garage dream immediately—before you spend a dime on deep due diligence.