Paterson Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Paterson, NJ

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in New Jersey

In Paterson, New Jersey, 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 quite accessible to laypersons. This article should serve as a good overview of these laws.

"Zoning" is the process by which a local government makes laws determining how individual pieces of land within its jurisdiction can be used. Typically, towns or cities are segmented off into "zones," each one being designated for a specific type of use. Examples of common zoning categories are single family residence, commercial, multi-unit housing, or industrial.

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.

While zoning laws appear to be geared just toward protecting residents, they also protect industry, by ensuring that they are free to conduct their business without getting caught up in the several legal disputes that would be inevitable if they were closer to a residential area.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Paterson, New Jersey

If a condition on your property violates the local zoning laws of Paterson, New Jersey, there are a few different solutions.

First of all, and most simply, the owner could just fix the violation. If the violation isn't very substantial, and fixing it wouldn't cost very much, this is probably the best and easiest option.

Of course, simply fixing a zoning violation isn't always inexpensive or easy, and may interfere with your planned use of your property. For example, you might have just undertaken a substantial remodeling of your home, and later found out that some small part of it technically doesn't conform to Paterson, New Jersey'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 quite minor, and enforcing the ordinance would be unduly burdensome and not in the public interest.

You are also protected if your land is currently in full compliance with local zoning regulations, but the area where your land sits is re-zoned, and your property is suddenly not in compliance with the new zoning regulations. Usually, these new regulations cannot be used to force you to change existing conditions on your property. No laws can be applied retroactively, under the U.S. Constitution. Of course, if you make any improvements on your land after the law changes, you'll have to comply with the new law.

What Can A Paterson, New Jersey Attorney Do?

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 conflict will be markedly improved if you hire an efficient Paterson, New Jersey real estate attorney to help.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Paterson

Paterson, New Jersey is the county seat of Passaic County. It has a population of about 147,000 people, making it the third largest city in New Jersey.

Paterson, NJ became known as the "silk city" in the late 19th Century, due to its dominance in the silk-production industry. Paterson, NJ became a major center for other industries in the 20th century, thanks in large part to the presence of the Great Falls, a large waterfall on the Passaic River, which provided much of the energy needed for factories and other heavy industries in Paterson, NJ.

Modernly, Great Falls, NJ is part of an Urban Enterprise Zone, which is a designation under New Jersey Law that stimulates economic growth in areas where it's needed, through reduced sales tax, a fast-track process for obtaining business licenses, and financial incentives, such as tax credits, for businesses that hire new workers. Many Paterson, NJ lawyers were involved in drafting these rules, as well as getting portions of Paterson, NJ designated as such.

Paterson is known for being the residence of Paterson, NJ lawyer Edward Masry, who led the lawsuit against PGE, which was dramatized in the film "Erin Brockovich."

There are many other Paterson, NJ lawyers who can help you with whatever legal issue you may be facing. If you believe that you might need legal representation, there's a very good chance that a Paterson, NJ lawyer can help you.

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