Kokomo Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Kokomo, IN

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Indiana

The laws that regulate how land can be used, and what structures can be built on individual pieces of land in Kokomo, Indiana can sometimes be a bit difficult. This article will not make its reader an expert, but should serve as a good introduction to the subject.

"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. Typically, localities are divided up into "zones," which are designated for particular categories of use, such as single-family residence, business, manufacturing, etc.

There are a lot of rationales and purposes for zoning laws. In general, they're based in common sense: chemical plants shouldn't be created next to daycare centers, pig farms should not be created 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.

On the other hand, zoning laws recognize and attempt to accommodate the necessity of factories and other industrial activities. They just seek to ensure that such activities are done in a way that they don't conflict with the rights of adjacent landowners to use and enjoy their property in peace.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Kokomo, Indiana

You have quite a few options if you find that a planned or prevailing use of your property breaks Kokomo, Indiana's zoning regulations.

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

However, it isn't always practical or affordable to correct a minor violation of a zoning law. For instance, 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 Kokomo, Indiana'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 certain provision of a zoning law to a single violation. These aren't always granted, but typically 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 considerable 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 Kokomo, Indiana Attorney Do?

If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's critical to have good legal advice. A seasoned Kokomo, Indiana 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.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Kokomo

Kokomo is located in Howard County, Indiana. It is Indiana's thirteenth largest city and is home to around 45,500 people.

Some popular sites in Kokomo include Howard County Historical Society, Kokomo Beach, The Sycamore Stump, Old Ben, City of Firsts Automotive Heritage Museum, and Elwood Haynes Museum.

Kokomo's top employers include Chrysler LLC, Delphi Corporation, GM Components Holdings LLC, Haynes International, Holder Mattress, Syndicate Sales, Inc. and Coca-Cola. To support these businesses, Kokomo has many attorneys whose practice can take care of the legal needs of these corporations. Also, for complex legal matters, Kokomo residents can look to nearby Chicago's legal force to deal with legal issues that seem impossible.

Some famous residents include Sylvia Jane Kirby, Jim Ligon, Strother Martin, John O'Banion, Jimmy Rayl, Tavis Smiley, and Marc Pohlman.

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