setback

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(sĕt'băk') pronunciation
n.
  1. An unanticipated or sudden check in progress; a change from better to worse.
    1. A steplike recession in a wall.
    2. Any of a series of such recessions in the rise of a tall building.
  2. An automatically timed setting of a thermostat to a lower temperature, as in the home at night.


In architecture, a steplike recession in the profile of a high-rise building. Usually dictated by building codes to allow sunlight to reach streets and lower floors, the building must take another step back from the street for every specified added height interval. Without building setbacks, many of New York City's streets would be in constant shadow. In the 1920s architects drew attention to their setbacks with decorative devicesmosaics; Chinese, Mayan, or Greek motifs; or geometric blocksbut later architects deemphasized them. The International Style glass-wall skyscraper was typically built without intermittent setbacks, but architects met zoning requirements by creating one huge setback at ground level that created a plaza. The late 20th century saw a return to decorative setbacks.

For more information on setback, visit Britannica.com.



1. distance from the curb or other established line within which no buildings may be erected.
See also building line.


2. problems, often in business or manufacturing, that result in lower profits or a delay in realizing a certain event.

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noun

    A change from better to worse: backset, reversal, reverse. See better/worse.


n

Definition: disappointment
Antonyms: achievement, advance, blessing, boon, boost, breakthrough, success

The minimum distance between a reference line (usually a property line) and a building, or portion thereof, as required by ordinance or code.


This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

A distance from a curb, property line, or structure within which building is prohibited.

Setbacks are building restrictions imposed on property owners. Local governments create setbacks through ordinances and building codes, usually for reasons of public policy such as safety, privacy, and environmental protection. Setbacks prevent landowners from crowding the property of others, allow for the safe placement of pipelines, and help to preserve wetlands. Setbacks form boundaries by establishing an exact distance from a fixed point, such as a property line or an adjacent structure, within which building is prohibited. Generally, prospective buyers learn that land is subject to setback provisions when they are considering purchasing it. This information is important to future development plans, because setbacks remain in effect until changed by law or special action of a local government.

Setbacks can significantly affect a property owner's right to develop land or to modify existing structures on the land. For this reason they can influence property values; severe restrictions on land can decrease its value. Violating setback provisions can lead to legal action against a property owner, and penalties can include fines as well as an order to remove noncompliant structures. Property owners whose desire to build is stymied by setbacks have few remedies. They can petition their local government by applying for a variance — a special permission to depart from the requirements of zoning ordinances — but variances are generally granted only in cases of extreme hardship. Litigation over setbacks is common.

See: land-use control.

Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'setback'

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to setback, see:

  See crossword solutions for the clue Setback.

Setback may have the following meanings:

Setback is a card game that some think is actually, "Pitch."


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Dansk (Danish)
n. - tilbageslag, hindring, nederlag

Nederlands (Dutch)
tegenslag

Français (French)
n. - (gén, Mil) revers, (Fin) recul

Deutsch (German)
n. - Rückschlag

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αναποδιά, υποτροπή, κάμψη (εργασιών), (αρχιτ.) εσοχή

Italiano (Italian)
contrattempo, disdetta

Português (Portuguese)
n. - obstáculo (m), atraso (m), contraste (m)

Русский (Russian)
задержка (развития), препятствие, понижение, отступление, неудача, рецидив, реверс, движение назад

Español (Spanish)
n. - contratiempo, percance, revés

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - bakslag, motgång, nederlag

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
顿挫, 退步, 挫折

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 頓挫, 退步, 挫折

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 세트백 (쿼터백 뒤에 위치하는 오펜스 백), 방해, 역류

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 妨げ, 逆転, 壁段

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) تأخير, عوق, أيقاف‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮עצירה, עיכוב, מפלה, תבוסה, הידרדרות‬


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