Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Mentor, Ohio
In Mentor, Ohio, 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.
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.
Zoning serves several 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 significantly.
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 many legal disputes that would be inevitable if they were closer to a residential area.
What if My Property Violates Mentor, Ohio's Zoning Laws?
If a condition on your property violates the local zoning laws of Mentor, Ohio, 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 significant, 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 affordable or easy, and may interfere with your planned use of your property. For example, you might have just undertaken a significant remodeling of your home, and later found out that some small part of it technically doesn't conform to Mentor, Ohio'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 very minor, and enforcing the ordinance would be unduly burdensome and not in the public interest.
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.
Find a Mentor Lawyer that Specializes in Your Area of Need:
How Can a Mentor, Ohio Attorney Help?
If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's important to have good legal advice. A good Mentor, Ohio 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.
There are 36 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Mentor
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Zoning Planning & Land Use Attorneys in the Largest OH Cities
Life in Mentor
Mentor, Ohio is a city located in Lake County. As of the 2000 United States Census, it has a population of approximately 50,000 people.In 2006, Money Magazine named Mentor, Ohio as one of the 100 best places to live in the United States.
Thanks to its moderate size, and the fact that it is near Cleveland, without being directly adjacent, Mentor boasts most of the modern ameneties and conveniences that one would expect from a large city, and the quiet, slightly pastoral charm of a small town.
Mentor, Ohio has a thriving retail sector, with a good blend of local and chain stores. The same goes for its dining options.
Mentor Ohio, being on the shore of Lake Erie, is also home to several outdoor recreational options, including Headlands Beach State Park, which has the longest natural beach on Lake Erie.
The area also offers boating, fishing, water-skiing, hiking, and camping, among many other outdoor activities.
Thanks to its size and diversity, Mentor, Ohio has a diverse and thriving legal community. If you are facing any sort of legal issue, the chances are good that a Mentor, Ohio attorney will be able to help you solve it.
