Malden Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Malden, 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 Malden, Massachusetts can sometimes be a bit confusing. This article will not make its reader an expert, but should serve as a good introduction to the subject.

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

Local governments have numerous different reasons for enacting zoning laws, ranging from ensuring that residential areas are peaceful and quiet, to safeguarding property values. For instance, 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.

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 performed 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 Malden, Massachusetts

You have quite a few options if you find that a planned or prevailing use of your property breaks Malden, Massachusetts'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 considerably 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 Malden, Massachusetts'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 usually 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.

Additionally, if the zoning laws governing your property have changed, and some aspect of it is now violating the new rules, these changes can usually not be enforced against you, because it would be unfair to apply a new law retroactively.

What Can A Malden, Massachusetts Attorney Do?

If you suddenly become involved in a zoning dispute with your local government, it's imperative to seek competent legal representation. The counsel of an efficient Malden, Massachusetts real estate attorney can make it much easier for you to act within the law to use your own property as you wish, or at least be as free as possible to make improvements to your land.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Malden

Malden is a city located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It has a population of slightly over 55,000 people.

The first European settlers in Malden were a group of Puritans, who purchased the land from the Pawtucket Indians. In 1648, the code of enacted laws in New England was printed in Malden. During the American Revolution, Malden played an important role in the American Revolution, and was a major stronghold of revolutionary sympathies.

Malden contains many fascinating historical landmarks, most of which are from the Revolutionary era and before. Malden is also home to several recreational areas, including parks and various sporting fields. Perhaps most notably, Malden is home to Pine Banks, a 107 acre recreational park featuring playgrounds, picnic areas, and a large, undeveloped area for hiking.

Malden, Massachusetts is also home to Middlesex Falls Reservation, a Massachusetts state park, which boasts many recreational activities for those who enjoy the outdoors.

If you live in Malden, Massachusetts, and need a lawyer, there's a good chance you'll be able to find the right one. Malden, Massachusetts lawyers can handle almost any case you might have.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA