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Parcel Setbacks

Generates building setback line (BSL) polylines around parcels with distinct Front / Rear / Side offsets. Distance-based front classification works on parcels built any way. Straight + curved boundaries supported (cul-de-sac arc fronts handled).

Command PARCELSETBACK VDCSETBACK · VDC Lots tab › Lots panel

VDCSETBACK is part of ParcelSetback; the full section follows.

Generates building setback line (BSL) polylines around parcels with distinct Front / Rear / Side offsets. Distance-based front classification works on parcels built any way. Straight + curved boundaries supported (cul-de-sac arc fronts handled).
Typical residential lot with default offsets: Front 25', Rear 10', Side 5' (both sides). Output on layer C-PROP-STBK. Frontage reference (alignment, ROW polyline, or front lot line, you pick) FRONT REAR SIDE SIDE 25' FRONT 10' REAR 5' SIDE 5' SIDE Buildable area (within building setback line)
Parcel boundary   Setback polyline (HIDDEN, ACI 8)   Frontage reference

Capabilities

  • Multi-parcel batch: select many lots at once, run in a single transaction.
  • Straight or curved boundaries: arc-bounded parcels (cul-de-sac, eyebrow, pie-slice) handled.
  • Distance-based topology classifier, works on irregular pentagons and wedge lots; doesn't depend on Civil 3D frontage metadata.
  • Output to layer C-PROP-STBK (AIA standard), HIDDEN linetype, ACI 8 grey. Layer auto-created if missing.
  • Frontage reference is user-picked: alignment, ROW polyline, line, or arc.

Workflow

  1. Type PARCELSETBACK.
  2. Select parcels (labels or boundaries).
  3. Pick the frontage reference curve.
  4. Confirm or edit Front / Rear / Side distances in the dialog (Save as Default to persist).
  5. OK. Tool draws the setbacks and reports Created / Skipped / Failed.

Front / Rear / Side classifier

  • Front: segment(s) closest to the frontage reference (within 2 ft of the minimum distance).
  • Rear: segments roughly opposite the front (dot product < -0.5).
  • Side: everything else.

Dialog

PARCELSETBACK dialog
PARCELSETBACK, PARCELSETBACK
Parcel Setbacks dialog
Parcel Setbacks, VDCSETBACK

When to use it

  • Drawing building envelopes / setback lines on the plat or site plan.

How to run it

  1. Run VDCSETBACK (or PARCELSETBACK) and select the lots.
  2. Enter the front, side, and rear setback distances.
  3. Review the generated setback lines.

Watch out for

  • Front-edge designation determines which setback is the front - designate fronts first.
  • Xref lots appear in the picker but are processed in the host drawing only.

Related: Lot Front · Lot QC · Selecting Parcels