Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Edmond, Oklahoma
In Edmond, Oklahoma, 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.
There are a lot of rationales and purposes for zoning laws. In general, they're based in common sense: chemical plants shouldn't be built next to daycare centers, pig farms should not be built in the middle of a residential neighborhood, and other simple principles similar to that. Zoning laws, by keeping conflicting land uses separate, make life easier for all parties, ensuring that property values will be preserved, and that necessary industries can be conducted where they will not bother anyone.
Zoning laws don't exist just to protect residential use - it also protects people who engage in other types of use of land, by making sure that they are able to do their business, without bothering neighboring landowners, and thereby avoiding legal disputes.
What if My Property Violates Edmond, Oklahoma's Zoning Laws?
If something on your property is in violation of a Edmond, Oklahoma zoning law, the landowner has several options.
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.
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 Edmond, Oklahoma'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 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. Generally, 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.
Find a Edmond Lawyer that Specializes in Your Area of Need:
How Can a Edmond, Oklahoma Attorney Help?
If you suddenly become involved in a zoning dispute with your local government, it's essential to seek competent legal representation. The counsel of an experienced Edmond, Oklahoma real estate attorney can make it much easier for you to act within the law to use your own property as you wish, or at least be as free as possible to make improvements to your land.
There are 46 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Edmond
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Zoning Planning & Land Use Attorneys in the Largest OK Cities
Life in Edmond
Edmond is located in Oklahoma County, with a population of around 81,400 people. In 2011, CNBC included Edmond on its "10 Perfect Suburbs" list. In 2007, it was also ranked amongst the "Top 100 Places to Live" by Relocated America.Top employers include the school district, the City of Edmond, Pelco Products, Innovative Healthcare Systems, Remy International, Petra Industries, OU Medical Center, Adfitech, and the University of Central Oklahoma. The legal industry also has a strong presence in Edmond because many resident attorneys practice law in various areas. Therefore, residents and local businesses have no problems when needing legal guidance.
For all the nature-lovers, Edmond is home to some wonderful parks to visit. These parks include Brookhaven Park, Centennial Park, Chitwood Park, Dog Park, Fink Park, Gossett Park, Kelly Park, Ted Anderson Park, and Whispering Heights Park.
Some famous residents include Jim Beaver, Bob Ricks, Reggie Smith, Gil Morgan, Shannon Miller, Blake Griffin, Greyson Chance and Ekpe Udoh.
