Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Towson, Maryland
The laws that regulate how land can be used, and what structures can be built on individual pieces of land in Towson, 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.
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 Towson, Maryland's Zoning Laws?
If something on your property is in violation of a Towson, Maryland zoning law, the landowner has several options.
It should be obvious that the first option you should consider is to correct the violation. If doing this wouldn't cost you very much, or pose a major inconvenience, you should obviously do this.
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 Towson, 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.
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 Towson, Maryland Attorney Help?
If you want to make improvements to your property, apply for a variance, or contest a zoning regulation as being applied to you retroactively, you have a right to do so, including some constitutional protections. However, your chances of prevailing in a zoning dispute will be markedly improved if you hire an experienced Towson, Maryland real estate attorney to help.
There are 68 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Towson
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Zoning Planning & Land Use Attorneys in the Largest MD Cities
Life in Towson
Towson, Maryland is the county seat of Baltimore County. Its population of over 53,000 residents makes it the second largest unincorporated county seat in the entire U.S. Towson is recognized as an excellent city for retail and shopping endeavors.The highlight of Towson is the Towson Town Center. The Town Center is Baltimore County's largest indoor shopping mall. It has four stories filled with all types of different shops, including a unique bookstore located structurally underneath Joppa Road. Another great place to visit is Alleghany Avenue, Towson' main downtown street. Alleghany Avenue is famous for its wide variety of local eateries.
Education is also a major aspect of Towson life. Towson University (TU) is located in the city and has an associated body of 20,000 students. The largest business school in Maryland is located at the University, as are the Towson Center arena and Unitas Stadium.
Several prominent persons have called Towson their home: football legend Johnny Unitas, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, to name a few.
The Maryland District Court has a branch conveniently located in Towson. The District Court is where most Towson lawyers file legal claims. Lawyers in Towson, Maryland are a great asset to the city and its community.
