Troy Zoning Attorney

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

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in New York

In Troy, New York, there are laws which determine what can and can't be done on certain parcels of land. These laws get pretty involved sometimes, and aren't always extremely accessible to laypersons. This article should serve as a good overview of these laws.

Municipal governments which practice zoning usually follow a similar scheme: the town or city is divided up into "zones," or areas in which particular types of use are permitted. For instance, the downtown area might be zoned for commercial and office use, and perhaps for large, multi-unit apartment buildings. The surrounding areas will usually 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 instance, without zoning laws, a company might be able to purchase a vacant lot next to your house and construct 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 just seek to ensure that such activities are done 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, New York

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

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 massive inconvenience, you should obviously do this.

Occasionally, however, a landowner wants to make improvements on their property which might constitute a slight violation of Troy, New York's zoning laws. In this case, the owner can apply for a variance - an official agreement from the local government to not enforce a certain zoning regulation. Typically, variances are granted when the violation is extremely minor, and, enforcing the letter of the zoning law would not do much to advance its broader purpose.

Furthermore, if you have been residing 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 prevailing 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.

What Can A Troy, New York Attorney Do?

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

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Troy

Troy is the county seat of Rensselaer County, New York. The city was settled as early as 1787 and currently lists its population at about 49,000 people. Troy is nicknamed "the Collar City" on account of its history of producing shirts, collars, and other types of clothing.

Troy is also famous for its connection with Samuel Wilson, who is thought to be the basis for "Uncle Sam". Uncle Sam is the personified character of America, and he lived near Riverfront Park in Troy. A memorial there commemorates his life and inspiration to the country.

Currently, Troy preserves a great deal of Victorian architecture in the Central Troy Historic District. Another beautiful place to visit is Franklin Plaza, where an elaborately designed ballroom makes formal occasions even more elegant.

Troy is a festive and thriving city. According to recent statistics, the city has not been affected by economic conditions as much as other areas in the nation. Some popular events in Troy include the Troy Flag Day Parade, the Uncle Sam Parade, the Troy Turkey Trot, and Troy Night Out. Residents and visitors alike can catch a glimpse of early American culture simply by being in Troy.

Troy lawyers usually represent their clients at the Troy City Court. Much like Uncle Sam, lawyers in Troy City, New York exemplify the American ideals of justice and equality.

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