Chesapeake Bay waterfront cottage contract

Buying along the Chesapeake Bay requires a contract that accounts for shoreline law as much as square footage. Waterfront cottages face setbacks enforced by the Critical Area Program, meaning buyers cannot always rebuild in the same footprint if storms damage the home. A well-drafted purchase contract should disclose riparian rights, dock permits, and erosion control obligations. It should also clarify FEMA flood insurance requirements, which dramatically affect financing. Unlike standard suburban deals, a Chesapeake cottage contract may hinge on state-level environmental review and the buyer’s acceptance of potential restrictions on septic upgrades or shoreline bulkheads.