Troy Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Troy, MI

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Michigan

The laws that regulate how land can be used, and what structures can be built on individual pieces of land in Troy, Michigan 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.

Municipal governments which practice zoning typically follow a similar scheme: the town or city is divided up into "zones," or areas in which particular types of use are permitted. For example, the downtown area might be zoned for commercial and office use, and perhaps for large, multi-unit apartment buildings. The surrounding areas will typically be zoned for residential and small-scale commercial use, and the outskirts zoned for manufacturing and other heavy industry.

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.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Troy, Michigan

You have quite a few options if you find that a planned or current use of your property violates Troy, Michigan's zoning regulations.

It should be discernible 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.

But what happens if you've invested a large amount of effort and money into improving your land, and you later discover that you've committed some relatively minor zoning violation? You are generally entitled to seek what is known as a "variance" in these cases. A variance is simply when your local government makes a small exception to the zoning rules to accommodate a small violation that would be difficult to fix. A variance will usually be granted if the violation doesn't harm anyone, and enforcing Troy, Michigan's zoning laws to the letter would not, in this case, advance their purposes.

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 Troy, Michigan Attorney Do?

If you are in the early stages of a major construction or remodeling project on your property, especially if it is in a residential area (where zoning laws tend to be most restrictive), you are likely to encounter 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 assistance of a good Troy, Michigan real estate attorney will greatly improve one's chances.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Troy

Troy is a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. It is a well-recognized area for its shopping and business centers. Troy has many buildings providing office spaces, and an upscale Somerset Collection that has become a shopper's favorite.

Interestingly, Troy was ranked the fifth safest city in the nation! In 2008, CNN Money also ranked Troy twenty-second on the list of the "Best Places to Live in the United States." Criteria used by CNN Money for the list include housing, education quality, economy, and recreation. Offering so much, Troy manages to be the fourth most affordable U.S. city to live in, with an apparent median household income of ,000.

Some famous people who have called Troy home include Sutton Foster, Ellen Hollman, Martin Klebba, Steve McCatty, Ivana Milicevic, Steven Yeun, and Bridget Regan.

The Top of Troy is the city's tallest building that is home to many offices. Law firms have also found a home in The Top of Troy. These firms train attorneys to provide clients with the best possible legal services. Therefore, residents and local businesses will never have an issue solving any of their legal matters.

Overall, Troy provides residents with a wonderful quality of life!

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