Goldsboro Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Goldsboro, NC

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in North Carolina

In Goldsboro, North Carolina, there are laws which determine what can and can't be done on given parcels of land. These laws get pretty involved sometimes, and aren't always very accessible to laypersons. This article should serve as a good overview of these laws.

"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. Generally, localities are divided up into "zones," which are designated for certain categories of use, such as single-family residence, business, manufacturing, etc.

Local governments have several different reasons for enacting zoning laws, ranging from ensuring that residential areas are peaceful and quiet, to protecting property values. For example, most people wouldn't buy a home in a neighborhood where they knew it was possible for a neighbor to turn their house into a factory.

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 Goldsboro, North Carolina

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

First, and perhaps most obviously, you can correct the violation. If the violation is relatively minor, and correcting it would not cost you much or be a significant 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 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 Goldsboro, North Carolina'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.

Furthermore, zoning ordinances cannot be applied against you retroactively. For example, suppose you built a 3-story house on your property, and your property was zoned to allow 3-story houses to be built at the time of construction. And then, years later, the area you live in is re-zoned, to only allow 2-story houses. Can the local government force you to remove a whole level of your house? Of course not. Applying a law retroactively is unconstitutional. On the other hand, any future changes you want to make to your property will have to comply with the applicable zoning ordinance as it is currently written.

What Can A Goldsboro, North Carolina Attorney Do?

If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's crucial to have good legal advice. A good Goldsboro, North Carolina attorney will help you work within the law to ensure that you are as free as possible to make the use of your land that you want.

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Life in Goldsboro

Goldsboro, North Carolina is a city of approximately 40,000 people. It is located in Wayne County, of which it is the county seat. Goldsboro is currently home to the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, which is home to thousands of personnel and a major player in the local economy, bringing in young, intelligent people from all over the country. Goldsboro, North Carolina is the site of one of the most chilling incidents of the Cold War: in 1961, and American aircraft carrying two nuclear weapons broke up in midair. It released both of its bombs, and they went through several stages of the arming process. Thankfully, neither of them detonated. One of the bombs was recovered. The other landed in a muddy swamp, and was never found. It is still assumed to be buried about 55 feet underground, and has never been found. The military bought the land to prevent anyone from trying to find the bomb. Modernly, Goldsboro is home to several parks and historical sites, which are popular destinations for visitors. If you live in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and need an attorney, chances are you'll be able to find one. Goldsboro, North Carolina is home to many competent and compassionate lawyers who can handle whatever legal problem you have.

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