Barnstable Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Barnstable, MA

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Massachusetts

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

Local governments will usually 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."

Local governments have several 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.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Barnstable, Massachusetts

You have quite a few options if you find that a planned or current use of your property violates Barnstable, Massachusetts's zoning regulations.

It should be evident that the first option you should consider is to correct the violation. If doing this wouldn't cost you very much, or pose a major inconvenience, you should obviously do this.

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 Barnstable, Massachusetts'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.

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 Barnstable, Massachusetts Attorney Do?

If you are in the process of physically altering your property, you are almost certain to face some issues having to do with local zoning laws. If you find that zoning laws are making it very difficult to use your property as you see fit, you may have legal recourse, usually in the form of a variance. Of course, your chances of success in any zoning dispute will be immeasurably increased if you have the help of a qualified Barnstable, Massachusetts attorney.

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Life in Barnstable

Barnstable is often called the "Town of Barnstable." It is located in Barnstable County. In fact, it is the largest community on Cape Cod. Interestingly, Barnstable has seven villages within the city. The largest village is Hyannis, which is also the central business district. Another interesting fact about Barnstable is that in 2007, it was the All-American City Award winner.

Barnstabe has had some very famous residents. People such as Sam Barber, Joe Cronin, Judy Garland, Raymond Goulding, And Hallett, John Havlicek, Jack Kerouac, Dan LaCouture, Larry Page, and Eden White have once called Barnstable home.

Barnstable is also home to attorneys who have set up small law offices. These attorneys are competent to take on any legal inquiry and bring their clients justice.

All in all, Barnstable is a city that provides residents with small town charm and a wonderful quality of life!

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