Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Coral Gables, Florida
The laws governing how land can and cannot be used in Coral Gables, 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.
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.
What if My Property Violates Coral Gables, Florida's Zoning Laws?
If a condition on your property violates the local zoning laws of Coral Gables, Florida, there are a few different solutions.
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.
Of course, simply fixing a zoning violation isn't always affordable or easy, and may interfere with your planned use of your property. For example, you might have just undertaken a significant remodeling of your home, and later found out that some small part of it technically doesn't conform to Coral Gables, 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 very minor, and enforcing the ordinance would be unduly burdensome and not in the public interest.
Further, if you have been living on your property for a long time, and made improvements on it that complied with the zoning laws in effect at the time, a new zoning law that would be violated by your current use of your property, the new law cannot be enforced against you. The U.S. Constitution bars the passage of "ex post facto," or retroactive, laws. Once the laws take effect, however, you'll have to comply with the new zoning laws with respect to any new improvements you want to make on your property.
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How Can a Coral Gables, Florida Attorney Help?
If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's important to have good legal advice. A good Coral Gables, Florida attorney will help you work within the law to ensure that you are as free as possible to make the use of your land that you want.
There are 91 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Coral Gables
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Life in Coral Gables
Believe it or not, but Coral Gables is a city located southwest of Downtown Miami. When we all think of Miami, we think of South Beach, not the neighboring Coral Gables. However, about 42,249 people call Coral Gables home.Some popular attractions in the area include the Miracle Mile, DeSoto Fountain, Coral Way Scenic Drive, Coral Gables Museum, Lowe Art Museum, and the Montgomery Botanical Center.
Since Coral Gables is a planned community, it is known for its strict zoning regulations. The city is very particular on what type of theme/atmosphere needs to be creating in what part. There via strict zoning regulations, residents must comply and aid the city in maintaining the desired look.
Coral Gables, being so close to Miami, has access to many law firms of all size, that practice in practically all areas. These firms train very competent attorneys to handle any and all legal matters. Thus, residents of Coral Gables can stay rest assured because any of their legal needs can easily be handled by the nearby legal force.
