Commack Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Commack, NY

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in New York

In Commack, New York, 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.

Localities normally 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."

Zoning serves various different purposes - but it its main one is to increase or preserve property values by ensuring that conflicting uses don't result in legal disputes. Obviously, if you bought a house in a residential neighborhood, and your neighbor could simply convert his property into a steel mill, your property's value as a residential lot would decrease considerably.

Zoning laws usually acknowledge the necessities of things like factories, sewage treatment plants, and stockyards, but recognize that such activities shouldn't be conducted in residential areas.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Commack, New York

Zoning laws are frequently quite extensive and meticulous, and it's quite possible that your property in Commack, New York contains some minor zoning violation that you don't know about. If this happens to you, you have substantial legal protections.

It should be evident that the first option you should consider is to correct the violation. If doing this wouldn't cost you very much, or pose a huge 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 typically be granted if the violation doesn't harm anyone, and enforcing Commack, New York's zoning laws to the letter would not, in this case, advance their purposes.

You also have substantial 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 Commack, New York Attorney Do?

If you are in the process of physically altering your property, you are almost certain to face some concerns having to do with local zoning laws. If you find that zoning laws are making it very challenging to use your property as you see fit, you may have legal recourse, typically in the form of a variance. Of course, your chances of success in any zoning dispute will be immeasurably increased if you have the help of a qualified Commack, New York attorney.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Commack

Commack, New York gets its name from its former Indian inhabitants, the Secatogue tribe who named the area, "Pleasant Land." And pleasant is an apt word to describe Commack, which is a lovely city home to just under 40,000 residents. In the early days of Commack, indians gathered in the area because of the fertile soil, wildlife, and wood to make fires.

Commack, New York is a pleasure to explore for residents and visitors alike. In 2006, a local radio station rated the Commack Motor Inn as one of the seven wonders of Long Island. Rosie O'Donnell and Bob Costas are just a few of the celebrities that once called Commack home.

Commack, New York is also home to many talented lawyers who are able to assist the community with any legal issue they may find themselves encountering. Lawyers specializing in family law, estate planning, contract law, and employment law are just a few of the areas that Commack lawyers can assist their clients with. Commack is a great place to live and a great place to find a competent attorney.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA