Strategy
Feasibility Study
A written site analysis that answers one question before you commit: can this project be built?
Six Areas. One Written Report.
Every feasibility study examines the same six analysis areas, applied to your specific parcel, jurisdiction, and proposed project scope.
Zoning Classification and Permitted Use
We identify the current zoning designation for your parcel and confirm what uses are permitted by right, permitted with conditions, and prohibited. Mixed-use, overlay, and transitional zones are examined in full.
Setbacks and Lot Coverage
Front, rear, and side yard setbacks, maximum lot coverage percentages, and impervious surface limits are pulled from the applicable zoning ordinance and checked against your site dimensions and proposed footprint.
Floor Area Ratio and Density
FAR limits, maximum allowable gross floor area, unit density restrictions, and bonus density provisions are calculated and presented against your project program.
Overlay Districts and Special Conditions
We identify all overlay zones that affect your parcel: flood zones, historic districts, fire hazard severity zones, hillside overlays, and view corridors. We document the additional requirements each imposes.
Permit Pathway Classification
We classify the permit pathway for your project: ministerial (over-the-counter), discretionary (requires planning approval), or hybrid. Discretionary permits add 3–18 months to timelines and require separate analysis.
Risk Factor Summary
We document the highest-risk items for your project: code ambiguities, known plan check triggers, non-conforming conditions, and any site factors that are likely to require a variance or exception.
Deliverables
The report you receive.
A Feasibility Study is a structured site analysis that evaluates your property against current zoning, code requirements, and permit pathway realities before any design work begins. We examine six analysis areas: zoning compliance, setbacks, FAR and lot coverage, permitted use, overlay districts, and permit risk factors. We deliver a written report with a clear summary of what the site can support, what requires a variance or discretionary approval, and what the highest-risk permit checkpoints are.
Site and Zoning Analysis Report
Comprehensive written analysis covering all six examination areas, formatted as a professional document with section-by-section findings and a summary conclusion.
Permit Pathway Classification
Clear classification of your project's permit pathway (ministerial, discretionary, or hybrid) with a plain-language explanation of what each classification means for your timeline and budget.
Risk Summary
A prioritized list of risk factors specific to your site and proposed scope, with recommended mitigation strategies for each.
Recommended Next Steps
A clear action plan following the report: what to proceed with, what to resolve first, and what questions to bring to a pre-application meeting or planning counter.
30-Day Follow-Up Support
Email support for 30 days to answer questions as you move from feasibility findings into active design or consultant engagement.
The Case for Starting Here
Most site acquisition mistakes and permit failures share a common thread: the zoning and code realities of the site were not analyzed before money was spent on design. A feasibility study costs a fraction of one round of design revisions. It is the least expensive risk-reduction tool in the development process.
What you avoid
- Design that misses setback limits
- Permits rejected for unpermitted conditions
- Variance costs that weren't budgeted
- Discretionary review timelines that blow the schedule
- Consultant work that precedes feasibility clarity
Common Questions
Frequently asked.
How is this different from a zoning report?
A zoning report pulls the ordinance data. A Feasibility Study interprets it against your specific project. We tell you not just what the code says but what it means for your project, where the risks are, and what the realistic permit path looks like.
Does this guarantee my project will be approved?
No feasibility analysis can guarantee permit approval. What we can do is give you an accurate picture of the obstacles and risks before you spend money on design. Most projects that fail at plan check ran into conditions that were identifiable at the feasibility stage.
Can I use this report in a pre-application meeting?
Yes. Our feasibility reports are written to support pre-application meetings. The permit pathway classification and risk summary sections are specifically formatted for that use.
What do you need from me to start?
The parcel number or address, the applicable jurisdiction, and a brief description of what you want to build. We handle the ordinance research from there.
Who This Is For
Built for these clients.
Site Purchasers
Evaluating a property before closing and need to know what the site can realistically support before committing.
Property Owners
Planning a project and want to understand the permit complexity and risk factors before engaging architects or contractors.
Investors and Developers
Screening multiple sites for development potential and need a consistent, written feasibility baseline for each.
First-Time Builders
Unfamiliar with zoning and permit requirements and want a clear, factual picture of what their project will require.
Continue Exploring
Related services.
- Strategy
Project Strategy
A complete project roadmap from raw idea to build-ready documentation.
- Permitting
Pre-Application Meeting Prep
Organized project documentation for productive pre-application meetings.
- Permitting
Permit Set Preparation
Jurisdiction-specific permit packages built for first-pass approval.
Order a feasibility study.
Provide the parcel address, jurisdiction, and a brief project description. We handle the research and deliver your written report in 3 to 5 business days.