APPROVED GOVERNMENT SETBACKS

STANDARD SETBACKS FOR DIFFERENT RIGHT OF WAYS.

Right of Way and Setback knowledge are important to avoid building illegal structures (structures that do not conform with urban planning rules).

According to the Ministry of Physical Planning website, a setback is the distance to be observed between the building line and property boundary, water bodies, right of ways of infrastructure facilities and utilities.

Below are the setbacks for the different right of ways:

i. Federal High way – 90 metres right of way. 45 metres from the centre to the property line.

ii. State High way - 60 metres. 30 m from the centre to the property line.

iii. Local Road (State) - 24metres, 18m,15m,12m (12m, 9m, 7.5m, 6m right of ways respectively from the centre to the property line as applicable)

iv. Building line of property and the outer edge of NNPC oil pipeline – 15metres

Required Setback from Different Water Bodies

Ocean / sea – 150metres

Lagoon – 50metres

River – 15metres

Seasonal – 15metres

Gorges (New and Built-up areas) – 10metres

Distance to Rail Line

Railway line – 21metres

Unmanned railway crossing – 60metres.

Required Setback from Different Power Lines

132KV Powerline – 15metres

330KV Powerline – 25metres

11/33KV – 5.5metres

It is your duty to ensure that you leave the proper setback for your property.

Ask your surveyor to leave the correct setback when measuring and marking out your land. It may lead to your land not being the size you paid for but you will rest assured your property is out of the governments right of way and safe from future demolition.