Wheaton Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Wheaton, IL

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Illinois

The laws that regulate how land can be used, and what structures can be built on individual pieces of land in Wheaton, Illinois can sometimes be a bit confusing. This article will not make its reader an expert, but should serve as a good introduction to the subject.

"Zoning" refers to a set of laws and regulations which state what use can be made of land in different parts of a city or county. Usually, localities are divided up into "zones," which are designated for specific categories of use, such as single-family residence, business, manufacturing, etc.

There are numerous different reasons that cities might engage in zoning - but it is typically 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 maintain property values

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 numerous legal disputes that would be inevitable if they were closer to a residential area.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Wheaton, Illinois

Zoning laws are frequently quite extensive and meticulous, and it's quite possible that your property in Wheaton, Illinois contains some minor zoning violation that you don't know about. If this happens to you, you have substantial legal protections.

Initially, and perhaps most apparently, you can correct the violation. If the violation is comparatively minor, and correcting it would not cost you much or be a substantial burden, this might be the best way to go.

However, it isn't always practical or affordable to correct a minor violation of a zoning law. For instance, suppose you have just spent a large amount of money and effort remodeling a house to turn it into your dream home. You thought you were in total compliance with local zoning laws when you did this, but find out that there is some small, technical violation of Wheaton, Illinois's zoning laws. In these cases, you have recourse in the form of a variance. You are entitled to petition the local zoning board to grant you a variance, which is an official decision not to apply a certain provision of a zoning law to a single violation. These aren't always granted, but usually have to be granted if the violation doesn't interfere with anyone else's use of their property, and doesn't thwart the purposes of local zoning laws.

You also have substantial protections if a zoning law changes, and you find that the land you've been living on for years is suddenly in violation of the new law. In general, zoning laws cannot apply to structures and uses which were built or commenced before the law was changed. Under the U.S. Constitution, it's not permissible for state or local governments to pass laws which have retroactive effect. You should know, however, that any future changes you make to your property will have to comply with the new zoning law.

What Can A Wheaton, Illinois Attorney Do?

If you are in the early stages of a major construction or remodeling project on your property, particularly if it is in a residential area (where zoning laws tend to be most restrictive), you are likely to confront 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 guidance of a reliable Wheaton, Illinois real estate attorney will greatly improve one's chances.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Wheaton

Wheaton is an affluent city located in DuPage County, Illinois. It is very near Chicago (approximately 25 miles away) and located west of Lake Michigan.

Some of Wheaton's attractions include the Cosley Zoo, Arrowhead Golf Club, Cantigny Park and Golf Course, Danada Forest Preserve and Illinois Prairie Path. A very popular historic site includes Grand Theater, which was built in 1925 and is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Wheaton is also home to many attorneys that practice in various legal fields. Also, being so near Chicago, Wheaton residents can take advantage of Chicago's top-notch legal force. Chicago is home to many top law firms with ivy-league educated attorneys who focus on providing excellent legal services.

All in all, Wheaton is a safe suburb that provides a community-like feel and a wonderful quality of life!

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