When labeling parcels and their contained building footprints, you can avoid placing the parcel label over the building footprint by using the Maplex Label Engine Avoid overlapping labeled polygons as if holes parameter. The building footprints can be labeled with a straight style that enables the label to follow possible longer trend lines of the feature without decreasing the size of the label. If the Try horizontal position first option is selected, the Maplex Label Engine first attempts to place the label horizontally before placing it at an angle within the building.
The image below shows the building footprints labeled with the Straight position and the Try horizontal position first option. The parcels are labeled using the Avoid overlapping labeled polygons as if holes parameter in the Regular style.
- Ensure that the Maplex Label Engine is enabled.
- Label the parcel layer.
- Choose the Regular Placement style and the Horizontal in polygon position.
- Check the Avoid overlapping labeled polygons as if holes option.
- Stack the parcel label using the Choose best Horizontal alignment.
- Label the building footprint layer.
- Choose the Regular Placement style and the Straight position.
- Check the Try horizontal position first option.
- Set the Interior weight to 1000.
- Set the weight for road and driveway layer.
- Set the Interior weight to 1000.