Hyattsville Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Hyattsville, MD

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Maryland

The laws that regulate how land can be used, and what structures can be built on individual pieces of land in Hyattsville, Maryland 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.

Localities typically divide their jurisdictions into segments, referred to as "zones," on which particular types of use are permitted. For example, one area of a town might be zoned for residential use, a nearby one for commercial use, and areas on the outskirts zoned for industrial use. This practice is called "zoning."

The purpose of zoning is to preserve property values, and make towns and cities more livable. For example, without zoning laws, a company might be able to buy a vacant lot next to your house and build a noisy, smelly, dirty factory on it.

Zoning laws don't exist just to protect residential use - it also protects people who engage in other types of use of land, by making sure that they are able to do their business, without bothering neighboring landowners, and thereby avoiding legal disputes.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Hyattsville, Maryland

Suppose you find that some condition on your land is in violation of Hyattsville, Maryland's zoning laws. In cases like this, you have quite a few options.

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 Hyattsville, Maryland'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.

Furthermore, zoning ordinances cannot be applied against you retroactively. For example, suppose you built a 3-story house on your property, and your property was zoned to allow 3-story houses to be built at the time of construction. And then, years later, the area you live in is re-zoned, to only allow 2-story houses. Can the local government force you to remove a whole level of your house? Of course not. Applying a law retroactively is unconstitutional. On the other hand, any future changes you want to make to your property will have to comply with the applicable zoning ordinance as it is currently written.

What Can A Hyattsville, Maryland Attorney Do?

If you find yourself facing zoning or other land use issues, it's crucial to have good legal advice. A good Hyattsville, Maryland 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.

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Life in Hyattsville

Named after Christopher Clarke Hyatt in 1860, Hyattsville, Maryland is home to close to 15,000 residents.Hyatsville provides its population with easy access to both Washington and Baltmiore, Hyattsville is located in Prince George's County, Maryland.

The small population does not mean that there are a lack of good lawyers in Hyattsville. Raning from family law to employment issues, to everyday legal issues, Hyattsville lawyers are skilled in a range legal areas ready to help their neighbors with whatever he or she may find themselves facing. Hyattsville also has friendly neighborhoods, top schools, and an active population contributing to the overall charm of the East Coast city.

A portion of the city of Hyattsville was placed on the National Registry ofHistoric Placesfor the many beautiful historic sites the city has to offer. Hyattsville is also home to a variety of industries including: manufacturing, retail, and real estate. There are also many summer attractions including outdoor summer concerts, outdoor movies showing classics, and many well-kept neighborhood parks putting on activities. Hyattsville is a city that has perfected the small-town charm in a big way.

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