Mukilteo Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Mukilteo, WA

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Washington

Mukilteo, Washington has a fairly large number of laws that dictate how particular plots of real estate can and cannot be used, and what can and can't be built on them, and these laws aren't always easy to follow. This article won't make you an authority on the subject, but should introduce you to some of the most crucial concepts in zoning law.

"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.

There are several different reasons that cities might engage in zoning - but it is usually 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

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 several legal disputes that would be inevitable if they were closer to a residential area.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Mukilteo, Washington

If something on your property is in violation of a Mukilteo, Washington zoning law, the landowner has several options.

It should be clear, however, that the ideal solution is to simply fix any condition on your property which is in violation of a local zoning law. If the violation is not serious, and correcting it won't significantly interfere with your use of your property, this is probably the best course of action.

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 Mukilteo, Washington'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 generally 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.

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.

What Can A Mukilteo, Washington Attorney Do?

If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's crucial to have good legal advice. A good Mukilteo, Washington 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 Mukilteo

Mukilteo WA is located on the shore of the Pudget Sound in Washington and is considererd one of the more affluent suburbs of Seattle. With a population just under 20,000 Mukilteo has small town charm. It is no wonder the Mukiteo was named one of the top 100 small towns of America to live in by Money Magazine. Mukilteo's strategic location is also the site of Washington State Ferries terminal, which serves as the link to several islands, including Clinton and Whidbey Island. Originally a trading village and popular point of entry for ships, Mukilteo's unique name means "good camping ground." Another noteworthy aspect of Mukilteo is the city's education. Kamiak High School, located in the heart of Mukilteo is considered one of the most expensive schools ever built in the U.S. In addition to having stellar public school and private school education, Mukilteo is also home to some fabulous lawyers, ranging in many specialties and trained to help their clients with any legal issue he or she may find themselves dealing with. Mukilteo lawyers are just one more aspect that makes this charming Washington city a great place to live and work.

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