Legal Definitions - frontage

Frontage refers to two related concepts concerning a property's relationship with a public thoroughfare:

• The specific portion of a piece of land or a building that directly faces and borders a public road, street, or highway.
• The linear measurement of that border along the public road.

In essence, it describes how much of a property "touches" the street.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of frontage:

• Imagine a new retail store planning to open in a busy commercial district. The store manager specifically seeks a location with a wide frontage on the main street, even if the building itself isn't very deep. This allows for large display windows and prominent signage, maximizing visibility for potential customers driving or walking by.

  Explanation: In this scenario, frontage refers to the broad section of the property and building that directly faces the public street, which is crucial for the store's marketing and accessibility.

• A land developer is subdividing a large rural parcel into several smaller residential lots. Local zoning regulations stipulate that each new lot must have a minimum frontage of 60 feet along the newly constructed public road. This requirement ensures that every house built on these lots has adequate access for utilities, mail delivery, and emergency services.

  Explanation: Here, frontage refers to the specific linear distance (60 feet) that each individual lot must measure along the public road, ensuring proper access and compliance with local planning rules.

• Consider a large industrial warehouse property located in an older part of town. While the property itself covers many acres, its only access to a public road is via a narrow, 20-foot wide driveway that extends for a quarter-mile. This limited frontage on the main road could complicate future expansion plans or make it less attractive to businesses requiring multiple entry points for large trucks.

  Explanation: In this case, frontage describes the small portion of the property that directly abuts the public road, highlighting how its limited size can impact the property's utility and value despite its overall large area.