Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia
The laws governing how land can and cannot be used in Atlanta, Georgia 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."
There are many different reasons that cities might engage in zoning - but it is usually designed around making cities more livable, by preventing conflicting uses from clashing with one another. After all, few people would want to live in a house next to a vacant lot, if there is a chance that somebody could decide to build a pig farm next door. The security provided by zoning laws helps preserve property values
Zoning laws generally acknowledge the necessities of things like factories, sewage treatment plants, and stockyards, but recognize that such activities shouldn't be conducted in residential areas.
What if My Property Violates Atlanta, Georgia's Zoning Laws?
Suppose you find that some condition on your land is in violation of Atlanta, Georgia's zoning laws. In cases like this, you have quite a few options.
First of all, and most simply, the owner could just fix the violation. If the violation isn't very significant, 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 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 Atlanta, Georgia'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.
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 Atlanta, Georgia Attorney Help?
If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's important to have good legal advice. A good Atlanta, Georgia 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.
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Life in Atlanta
Atlanta has the highest population of any city in the State of Georgia with just under 500,000 people. The Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport as been the world's busiest airport since 1998. That's two years after the city hosted the 100th Olympic Games. Atlanta is the seat of Fulton County government as well as for the entire State of Georgia. Atlantans work for some of the most well known companies who have world headquarters located in the city. The Coca-Cola Company, AT&T, UPS, Turner Broadcasting, The Home Depot, and UPS are just a few of the nearly 75% of Fortune's 1000 who have operations in Atlanta. All that industry grosses the city over $400 billion each year. All of the productivity doesn't mean it comes at a lack of greenery.Atlanta is known both as the "City of Trees" and the "City in a Forest" for the dense tree cover that blankets nearly 40% of downtown. It's the most dense tree cover of any American city. The Atlanta Botanical Garden even offers a Canopy Walk through 600 feet of canopy at 40-feet into the trees. Other city attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, Fox Theatre, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, World of Coca-Cola, Delta Heritage Museum, Carter Center and Presidential Library, and Atlanta sports teams draw patrons from across the globe.
