Clearwater Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Clearwater, FL

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Florida

The laws governing how land can and cannot be used in Clearwater, Florida are fairly confusing, and can be confusing to laypersons. This should provide a basic overview.

Local governments will typically divide the city or town into sections, called "zones," each of which is designated for a particular use, such as residential homes, commercial businesses, agriculture, manufacturing, etc. This process is known as "zoning."

Local governments have many different reasons for enacting zoning laws, ranging from ensuring that residential areas are peaceful and quiet, to protecting property values. For example, most people wouldn't buy a home in a neighborhood where they knew it was possible for a neighbor to turn their house into a factory.

While zoning laws appear to be geared just toward protecting residents, they also protect industry, by ensuring that they are free to conduct their business without getting caught up in the many legal disputes that would be inevitable if they were closer to a residential area.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Clearwater, Florida

If a condition on your property violates the local zoning laws of Clearwater, Florida, there are a few different solutions.

First of all, and most simply, the owner could just fix the violation. If the violation isn't very substantial, and fixing it wouldn't cost very much, this is probably the best and easiest option.

Of course, simply fixing a zoning violation isn't always inexpensive or easy, and may interfere with your planned use of your property. For example, you might have just undertaken a substantial remodeling of your home, and later found out that some small part of it technically doesn't conform to Clearwater, Florida's zoning laws. If this happens to you, you can apply to your local zoning board for what's known as a "variance." This is simply a decree by the zoning board that the particular rule your property violates no longer applies. The Supreme Court has held that local zoning boards have to grant variances when the violation is quite minor, and enforcing the ordinance would be unduly burdensome and not in the public interest.

You are also protected if your land is currently in full compliance with local zoning regulations, but the area where your land sits is re-zoned, and your property is suddenly not in compliance with the new zoning regulations. Usually, these new regulations cannot be used to force you to change existing conditions on your property. No laws can be applied retroactively, under the U.S. Constitution. Of course, if you make any improvements on your land after the law changes, you'll have to comply with the new law.

What Can A Clearwater, Florida Attorney Do?

If you suddenly become involved in a zoning dispute with your local government, it's imperative to seek competent legal representation. The counsel of an efficient Clearwater, Florida real estate attorney can make it much easier for you to act within the law to use your own property as you wish, or at least be as free as possible to make improvements to your land.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Clearwater

Clearwater, Florida is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, of which it is the county seat. It is west of Tampa and north of St. Petersburg. It has a population of about 108,000 people.

Clearwater can trace its modern history back to 1835, when the Army established a military outpost there to fight the Seminole Wars.

Presently, Clearwater, Florida is a largely residential community. It is also known for being home to the spiritual headquarters of the Church of Scientology. While the group is controversial, its presence in Clearwater, Florida injects about 150 million dollars into the local economy each year. Because of the many legal disputes they get into, they also probably contribute to the business of several Clearwater, Florida attorneys.

If you live in Clearwater, Florida, and need an attorney, chances are good that a Clearwater, Florida lawyer can help you with whatever your legal issue might be.

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