Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Bonita Springs, Florida
The laws governing how land can and cannot be used in Bonita Springs, Florida are fairly complex, and can be confusing to laypersons. This should provide a basic overview.
Local governments will usually 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.
On the other hand, zoning laws recognize and attempt to accommodate the necessity of factories and other industrial activities. They simply seek to ensure that such activities are conducted in a way that they don't conflict with the rights of adjacent landowners to use and enjoy their property in peace.
What if My Property Violates Bonita Springs, Florida's Zoning Laws?
Suppose you find that some condition on your land is in violation of Bonita Springs, Florida's zoning laws. In cases like this, you have quite a few options.
The most obvious solution is to correct the problem, so your property is no longer in violation of local zoning laws. If the violation is minor, and correcting it would not be very costly, this is likely the best way to go.
But what happens if you've invested a large amount of effort and money into improving your land, and you later discover that you've committed some relatively minor zoning violation? You are generally entitled to seek what is known as a "variance" in these cases. A variance is simply when your local government makes a small exception to the zoning rules to accommodate a small violation that would be difficult to fix. A variance will usually be granted if the violation doesn't harm anyone, and enforcing Bonita Springs, Florida's zoning laws to the letter would not, in this case, advance their purposes.
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. Generally, 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.
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How Can a Bonita Springs, Florida Attorney Help?
If you are in the early stages of a major construction or remodeling project on your property, especially if it is in a residential area (where zoning laws tend to be most restrictive), you are likely to encounter one zoning law issue or another. Of course, having read this article, you should now be aware that you have rights when it comes to contesting a zoning law as applied to you. While such contests do not always come out on the side of the landowner, the assistance of a good Bonita Springs, Florida real estate attorney will greatly improve one's chances.
There are 60 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Bonita Springs
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Zoning Planning & Land Use Attorneys in the Largest FL Cities
Life in Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs plays host to 45,000 Lee County residents who are also incorporated into the Cape Coral-Fort Myers Metropolitan Area. Bonita Springs is home to a host of lawyers. Bonita Springs lawyers take all kinds of cases and are licensed to practice in every county throughout the state.. One of the reasons Bonita Springs is so popular is a result of the tropical climate that only dips down to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in January. It is also the northernmost city on the west coast of Florida bordering the Estero Bay and Gulf of Mexico. The Everglades Wonder Garden is another popular destination flush with wildlife like alligators, birds, panthers, flamingos, and bears among many others. There's also a botanical garden.
Bonita Springs is home to a number of attractions that are frequented by citizens and seasonal tourists alike. The Art League of Bonita Springs hosts local and traveling exhibitions and offers classes and community events. The Bonita Beach Park is a very popular beach that stretches 2.3 acres of waterfront which includes 8 picnic shelters, a swimming area, sand dunes, and lots of space to barbecue and enjoy the gorgeous Florida weather.
