Setback (land use)

The road distance is the distance from buildings and enclosures from vehicular traffic.

In Switzerland, was partly adopted its own road distance regulation, such as the Regulation on the distance of walls, fences and plants of roads. Otherwise, the rules are enshrined in the building codes for streets and roads.

In Germany and Austria the road distance is determined by the road alignment in the development plan of the land, the distinction is of the allowed Baufluchtlinien. Due to the difference arises a distinguishable überbaubare Land area, so the buildings have a defined development plan in the least distance from the road and the fence. The buildings with enclosures, live fences and the use of overhangs on the street alignment are specified in the building codes of the states and municipalities.

While the usual building codes prescribe a minimum distance to the road, the respective Postal Service may prescribe a maximum distance. In German-speaking countries is given to each fixed plot is used for placement of the house letter box allows placement notwithstanding, only in multi-family homes permitted in the stairwell. In the U.S. and other sparsely populated regions, there are decrees that the mailbox can be operated by post vehicle without exit.