Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Bethesda, Maryland
The laws that regulate how land can be used, and what structures can be built on individual pieces of land in Bethesda, Maryland can sometimes be a bit complicated. 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 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."
The purpose of zoning is to preserve property values, and make towns and cities more livable. For example, without zoning laws, a company might be able to buy 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 simply 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.
What if My Property Violates Bethesda, Maryland's Zoning Laws?
You have quite a few options if you find that a planned or current use of your property violates Bethesda, Maryland's zoning regulations.
It should be clear, however, that the ideal solution is to simply fix any condition on your property which is in violation of a local zoning law. If the violation is not serious, and correcting it won't significantly interfere with your use of your property, this is probably the best course of action.
However, it isn't always practical or affordable to correct a minor violation of a zoning law. For example, 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 Bethesda, Maryland'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 particular provision of a zoning law to a single violation. These aren't always granted, but generally 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 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.
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How Can a Bethesda, Maryland Attorney Help?
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 Bethesda, 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.
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Life in Bethesda
Bethesda is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is northwest of Washington D.C. The city was named after a local church--the Bethesda Meeting House. It is known as one of Maryland's most affluent and highly educated communities. In facts, Forbes Magazine listed it first in "America's Most Educated Small Towns."Two popular sites include The National Institute of Health and the National Naval Medical Center Other attractions include Capital Crescent Trail, Burning Tree Club, and Bethesda Avenue.
Large corporations that have a presence in Bethesda include American Capital, AREVA, Inc., Cambridge Information Group, Coventry Health Care, GetWellNetwork, HMSHost, Honest Tea, Host Hotels & Resorts, Iridium Satellite LLC, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, Ritz Carlton, and the United States Enrichment Corporation. Although not large, the legal industry does have a presence in Bethesda as well because the city is home to attorneys who practice in various fields of law.
