Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Medford, Oregon
Medford, Oregon has laws which govern how individual parcels of land can be used, and how they cannot. These rules aren't always simple, and this article should serve as an introduction to some of the most common issues that homeowners might face, though it is not meant to turn a layperson into an expert.
"Zoning" refers to a set of laws and regulations which state what use can be made of land in different parts of a city or county. Generally, localities are divided up into "zones," which are designated for certain categories of use, such as single-family residence, business, manufacturing, etc.
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.
Zoning also serves the interests of industry, as well as residents. By ensuring that there are places where heavy industry can take place, well-planned zoning regulations will ensure that industrialists are free to practice their trade, and that residents will not be disturbed by those activities, which makes industry more efficient by helping it avoid costly nuisance lawsuits.
What if My Property Violates Medford, Oregon's Zoning Laws?
Suppose you find that some condition on your land is in violation of Medford, Oregon's zoning laws. In cases like this, you have quite a few 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.
Sometimes, however, a landowner wants to make improvements on their property which might constitute a slight violation of Medford, Oregon's zoning laws. In this case, the owner can apply for a variance - an official agreement from the local government to not enforce a particular zoning regulation. Generally, variances are granted when the violation is very minor, and, enforcing the letter of the zoning law would not do much to advance its broader purpose.
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.
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How Can a Medford, Oregon Attorney Help?
If you are in the early stages of a major construction or remodeling project on your property, especially if it is in a residential area (where zoning laws tend to be most restrictive), you are likely to encounter one zoning law issue or another. Of course, having read this article, you should now be aware that you have rights when it comes to contesting a zoning law as applied to you. While such contests do not always come out on the side of the landowner, the assistance of a good Medford, Oregon real estate attorney will greatly improve one's chances.
There are 105 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Medford
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Zoning Planning & Land Use Attorneys in the Largest OR Cities
Life in Medford
Medford is located in Jackson County, Oregon. It has a population of around 75,000 people. The city was named by its civil engineer, David Loring, after his own home town.Some popular attractions include Alba Park, Bear Creek Corporation, Harry & David, Claire Hanley Arboretum, Vogel Plaza, Roxy Ann Peak and Prescott Park.
Top employers include Rogue Valley Medical Center, Providence Medford Medical Center, Harry and David Operations Corp, Benchmark Maps, Falcon Northwest, Pacific International Enterprises, and Lithia Motors. Medford is also home to many attorneys, who practice in various areas of law. Thus, the legal force in Medford is capable to handle any and every legal need.
All in all, Medford is a wonderful place to live and visit!
