Flag Lot
A uniquely shaped property that resembles a flag on a pole, consisting of a long, narrow strip of land (the pole) that connects the main buildable area (the flag) to a public street. This configuration typically occurs when developers subdivide property to maximize the number of lots while maintaining required street access.
Example
“The flag lot provided privacy since the house sat far back from the street, connected only by a narrow driveway.”
Memory Tip
Picture a flag on a flagpole - the narrow access road is the pole, the wide back area is the flag.
Why It Matters
Flag lots can offer more privacy and larger usable space than typical lots, but may have restrictions on driveway placement, utilities access, and can be harder to finance or resell.
Common Misconception
Some believe flag lots are always less valuable, but they can actually command premium prices when they offer unique privacy or views that traditional lots cannot provide.
In Practice
A flag lot might have a 20-foot wide access strip extending 200 feet from the street to reach a one-acre building area tucked behind neighboring properties, providing seclusion while maintaining legal street access.
Etymology
Named in the 1960s by surveyors who noticed these properties resembled a flag on a pole when viewed from above on plot maps.
Common Misspellings
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