Bowie Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Bowie, MD

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Maryland

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

Localities typically divide their jurisdictions into segments, referred to as "zones," on which particular types of use are permitted. For instance, 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."

The purpose of zoning is to preserve property values, and make towns and cities more livable. For instance, without zoning laws, a company might be able to purchase a vacant lot next to your house and build a noisy, smelly, dirty factory on it.

On the other hand, zoning laws recognize and attempt to accommodate the necessity of factories and other industrial activities. They just 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.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Bowie, Maryland

Suppose you find that some condition on your land is in violation of Bowie, Maryland's zoning laws. In cases like this, you have quite a few avenues.

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

Of course, just fixing a zoning violation isn't always affordable or easy, and may interfere with your planned use of your property. For instance, 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 Bowie, Maryland'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 also have significant 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 Bowie, Maryland Attorney Do?

If you suddenly become involved in a zoning dispute with your local government, it's essential to seek competent legal representation. The counsel of an experienced Bowie, Maryland real estate attorney can make it much easier for you to act within the law to use your own property as you wish, or at least be as free as possible to make improvements to your land.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Bowie

Bowie is the largest city in Prince George's County and the fifth most populous in the state of Maryland. The city was founded in 1882 when the Baltimore Potomac Railroad Company began construction of a rail line connecting to southern Maryland. There are over 50,000 residents of Bowie today who enjoy the city's rich history which is displayed at the Huntington Railroad Museum. The museum acts as a welcome center and displays pictures and various Bowie artifacts in the original stations which have been beautifully restored.

Bowie is popular among families and students alike with a plethora of schools including public, private, and institutions of higher learning like Bowie State University. There's a host of lawyers in the city too. Lawyers in Bowie take nearly every kind of case and are familiar with consulting clients in many different areas of law, working with you to decide what's best. Other attractions include the Bowie Baysox, a baseball team. Bowie isn't a notably affluent city but the median income for residents is ,670 and the city boasts that less than 2% of the population is below the poverty line.    

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