Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Tallahassee, Florida
The laws governing how land can and cannot be used in Tallahassee, Florida are fairly complex, and can be confusing to laypersons. This should provide a basic overview.
Localities typically divide their jurisdictions into segments, referred to as "zones," on which particular types of use are permitted. For example, one area of a town might be zoned for residential use, a nearby one for commercial use, and areas on the outskirts zoned for industrial use. This practice is called "zoning."
Zoning serves several different purposes - but it its main one is to increase or preserve property values by ensuring that conflicting uses don't result in legal disputes. Obviously, if you bought a house in a residential neighborhood, and your neighbor could simply convert his property into a steel mill, your property's value as a residential lot would decrease significantly.
Zoning also serves the interests of industry, as well as residents. By ensuring that there are places where heavy industry can take place, well-planned zoning regulations will ensure that industrialists are free to practice their trade, and that residents will not be disturbed by those activities, which makes industry more efficient by helping it avoid costly nuisance lawsuits.
What if My Property Violates Tallahassee, Florida's Zoning Laws?
Suppose you find that some condition on your land is in violation of Tallahassee, Florida's zoning laws. In cases like this, you have quite a few options.
First, and perhaps most obviously, you can correct the violation. If the violation is relatively minor, and correcting it would not cost you much or be a significant burden, this might be the best way to go.
Sometimes, however, a landowner wants to make improvements on their property which might constitute a slight violation of Tallahassee, Florida's zoning laws. In this case, the owner can apply for a variance - an official agreement from the local government to not enforce a particular zoning regulation. Generally, variances are granted when the violation is very minor, and, enforcing the letter of the zoning law would not do much to advance its broader purpose.
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 Tallahassee, Florida Attorney Help?
If you are in the process of physically altering your property, you are almost certain to face some issues having to do with local zoning laws. If you find that zoning laws are making it very difficult to use your property as you see fit, you may have legal recourse, usually in the form of a variance. Of course, your chances of success in any zoning dispute will be immeasurably increased if you have the help of a qualified Tallahassee, Florida attorney.
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Life in Tallahassee
Tallahassee is the capital of Florida, with an approximate population of 181,376 people. Tallahassee is known to be a great college town, being home to Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and branches of Saint Leo University, Thomas University, Keiser University, Barry University, and Flagler College.Alongside great education, Tallahassee offers great attractions! These attractions include the Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens, the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and the Knott House Museum.
Tallahassee is also home to many law firms of all sizes, small, medium, and large. These firms house many competent attorneys in all areas of practice. Thus, residents, businesses, and corporations in Tallahassee should rest assured because any legal inquiry can be handled by the legal force in Tallahassee.
