Selecting Nested Polygons using ArcPy

[AndrewBrown1]

First, is there a way to select nested polygons that are completely surrounded by a larger polygon? For example, I'm working with polygons that represent roofs of buildings, and in some cases, there are multiple polygons for a roof, especially when there is a taller  structure in the center of the roof, surrounded by a lower roof area.

Second, would it be possible to automate selection of these nested polygons and tie them to their larger, parent polygon, that completely surrounds them?

I need to combine multiple roof polygons to form one "building" polygon.

Thanks,
Andrew

[JeffBarrette]

I'm not sure how to find individual, contained features but have you considered using Dissolve for your second question?

Jeff

[SolomonPulapkura]

You could do this with a Python script.

Very roughly the script would

1. Loop thru the feature class
2. At every iteration do a select by location
3. If something found, perform a dissolve and move on

Of course this is very general logic. Writing the script and making it do exactly what you want is a different matter.