Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina 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" is the process by which a local government makes laws determining how individual pieces of land within its jurisdiction can be used. Usually, 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.
Local governments have many different reasons for enacting zoning laws, ranging from ensuring that residential areas are peaceful and quiet, to protecting property values. For example, most people wouldn't buy a home in a neighborhood where they knew it was possible for a neighbor to turn their house into a factory.
Zoning laws generally acknowledge the necessities of things like factories, sewage treatment plants, and stockyards, but recognize that such activities shouldn't be conducted in residential areas.
What if My Property Violates Greenville, South Carolina's Zoning Laws?
If something on your property is in violation of a Greenville, South Carolina zoning law, the landowner has several options.
The most obvious solution is to correct the problem, so your property is no longer in violation of local zoning laws. If the violation is minor, and correcting it would not be very costly, this is likely 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 Greenville, South Carolina'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.
Also, if the zoning laws covering your property have changed, and some aspect of it is now violating the new rules, these changes can generally not be enforced against you, because it would be unfair to apply a new law retroactively.
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How Can a Greenville, South Carolina Attorney Help?
If you want to make improvements to your property, apply for a variance, or contest a zoning regulation as being applied to you retroactively, you have a right to do so, including some constitutional protections. However, your chances of prevailing in a zoning dispute will be markedly improved if you hire an experienced Greenville, South Carolina real estate attorney to help.
There are 157 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Greenville
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Zoning Planning & Land Use Attorneys in the Largest SC Cities
Life in Greenville
Greenville is a great city in South Carolina for families to live and visit! The city has it all--art galleries, scenic property, museums, and beauty!Some popular sites include Falls Park on the Reedy (downtown), Heritage Green Arts and Cultural Complex, the Greenville Zoo, Metropolitan Arts Council, the Carolina First Center, Augusta Road, and Haywood Mall.
Greenville is also home to many attorneys who practice in various areas of law. These attorneys focus on providing personalized services to their clients--residents and local businesses.
Overall, Greenville is a great family-oriented city with a community-like feel to it!
