Land Use, Zoning and Planning Lawyers in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne, Wyoming 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 important concepts in zoning law.
"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.
There are many 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 preserve 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 many legal disputes that would be inevitable if they were closer to a residential area.
What if My Property Violates Cheyenne, Wyoming's Zoning Laws?
Zoning laws are often quite extensive and meticulous, and it's very possible that your property in Cheyenne, Wyoming contains some minor zoning violation that you don't know about. If this happens to you, you have significant legal protections.
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 Cheyenne, Wyoming'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.
Further, 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.
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How Can a Cheyenne, Wyoming Attorney Help?
If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's important to have good legal advice. A good Cheyenne, Wyoming 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.
There are 47 Real Estate, Housing & Property Law cases posted in Cheyenne
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Life in Cheyenne
Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming. It is located in Laramie County and is home to around 60,000 people. Neighboring areas include Crow Creek and Dry Creek.Top employers include Great Lakes Airlines, Taco John's Headquarters, Wyoming Financial Center, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Sierra Trading Post, Vestas, and Laramie County Community College.
Cheyenne is home to attorneys who actively practice and tend to the legal needs of residents. For complex legal cases, these attorneys refer their clients, both residents and corporations, to law firms in neighboring areas. All in all, the legal needs of residents and local businesses are catered to.
Some popular attractions in the city include Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne Little Theatre Players, Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum and the Wyoming Transportation Museum.
Popular faces associated with Cheyenne in one way or another include Curt Gowdy, Richard V. Thomas, Dan Zwonitzer, Sammy Davis Jr., Chris Ledoux, and Neil Diamond.
