Anderson Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Anderson, SC

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina has laws which regulate 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 prevalent issues that homeowners might face, though it is not meant to turn a layperson into an expert.

"Zoning" is the process by which a local government makes laws determining how individual pieces of land within its jurisdiction can be used. Typically, towns or cities are segmented off into "zones," each one being designated for a specific type of use. Examples of common zoning categories are single family residence, commercial, multi-unit housing, or industrial.

There are several different reasons that cities might engage in zoning - but it is typically designed around making cities more livable, by preventing conflicting uses from clashing with one another. After all, few people would want to live in a house next to a vacant lot, if there is a chance that somebody could decide to build a pig farm next door. The security provided by zoning laws helps retain property values

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 proficient by helping it avoid costly nuisance lawsuits.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Anderson, South Carolina

If something on your property is in violation of an Anderson, South Carolina zoning law, the landowner has various options.

First, and perhaps most apparently, you can correct the violation. If the violation is relatively minor, and correcting it would not cost you much or be a substantial burden, this might be the best way to go.

However, it isn't always practical or affordable to correct a minor violation of a zoning law. For example, suppose you have just spent a large amount of money and effort remodeling a house to turn it into your dream home. You thought you were in total compliance with local zoning laws when you did this, but find out that there is some small, technical violation of Anderson, South Carolina's zoning laws. In these cases, you have recourse in the form of a variance. You are entitled to petition the local zoning board to grant you a variance, which is an official decision not to apply a particular provision of a zoning law to a single violation. These aren't always granted, but usually have to be granted if the violation doesn't interfere with anyone else's use of their property, and doesn't thwart the purposes of local zoning laws.

Additionally, if you have been living 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 current 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 Anderson, South Carolina Attorney Do?

If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's crucial to have good legal advice. A knowledgeable Anderson, South Carolina 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.

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Life in Anderson

Anderson, South Carolina is the county seat of Anderson County. The city proper has a population of around 25,000 people, with the immediately-adjacent areas (generally considered part of the urbanized area of which Anderson is the center) bring the population of the area to around 70,000.

The economy of Anderson, South Carolina is based on manufacturing, and it is quickly becoming a major center for automobile manufacturing in the U.S., creating an economic boom which this region seriously needed. Furthermore, Anderson, South Carolina is a thriving business center that revolves around entrepreneurship, and it shows: Anderson is one of the premier shopping centers in its region, boasting a wide variety of locally-owned establishments, as well as larger chains, to meet everyday needs.

In any rapidly-growing community, individuals and businesses are almost certain to face a significant number of legal issues. It's just a fact of life. However, legal issues, while rarely fun, don't need to be as difficult as they often are. If you hire a good Anderson, South Carolina lawyer, things will go much more smoothly.

Anderson, South Carolina lawyers are prepared to handle a huge variety of legal issues, and whatever legal issue you might face, you can probably find an Anderson, South Carolina lawyer who can help you with it.

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