WHAT IS SETBACK OR RIGHT OF WAY AND HOW MANY METERS SHOULD THEY BE?
Setback and Right of Way 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.
