Thornton Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Thornton, CO

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Colorado

The laws governing how land can and cannot be used in Thornton, Colorado are fairly confusing, and can be confusing to laypersons. This should provide a basic overview.

Local governments will typically divide the city or town into sections, called "zones," each of which is designated for a particular use, such as residential homes, commercial businesses, agriculture, manufacturing, etc. This process is known as "zoning."

There are a lot of rationales and purposes for zoning laws. In general, they're based in common sense: chemical plants shouldn't be constructed next to daycare centers, pig farms should not be constructed in the middle of a residential neighborhood, and other simple principles similar to that. Zoning laws, by keeping conflicting land uses separate, make life easier for all parties, ensuring that property values will be preserved, and that necessary industries can be conducted where they will not bother anyone.

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.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Thornton, Colorado

If something on your property is in violation of a Thornton, Colorado zoning law, the landowner has various options.

The most evident 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.

What if, however, you've invested a substantial amount of time and money into making an improvement on your property, only to find that it violates your local zoning laws in some minor way? In this case, you can apply for a variance. This is typically an exception to the zoning rules. If declining to enforce these rules would not harm anyone, and would not do much to advance the purpose of Thornton, Colorado's zoning laws, a variance will typically be granted.

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.

What Can A Thornton, Colorado Attorney Do?

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 conflict will be markedly improved if you hire an efficient Thornton, Colorado real estate attorney to help.

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Life in Thornton

The city of Thornton, Colorado has a population of about 118,000 and is located in Weld and Adams counties. Thornton's location near the city of Denver and near the Rocky Mountains allows for ample opportunities for business, residence, and recreational activities. Thornton's community is marked by a high degree of volunteerism and participation in local events.

Thornton, Colorado is an unique city in that it actively pursues development of recreation programs and facilities. Overall, Thornton boasts over 80 city parks and more than 1,000 acres of land designated for public parks. The city also maintains numerous athletic fields, swimming pools, tennis courts, and gymnasiums. Indoor and outdoor facilities provide Thornton residents with ample opportunities for leisure activities year-round.

There are many opportunities for business and retail shopping in Thornton, Colorado. Popular places for residents and tourists to visit include Larkridge Mall, Thorncreek Crossing Shopping Center, and Thornton Town Center. These locations offer many choices for restaurants and national retail stores. Thornton is also surrounded by nine major colleges and universities within a 45-mile radius. These include Regis University and University of Denver. Many Thornton residents work at these institutions, and events and festivals are often held on the campuses.

Lawyers in Thornton, Colorado offer legal services in a broad range of fields. Many Thornton lawyers are members of multiple state and county bar associations. The Thornton Municipal Court is where many lawyers process legal claims.

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