Havelock Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Havelock, NC

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in North Carolina

In Havelock, North Carolina, there are laws which determine what can and can't be done on given parcels of land. These laws get pretty involved sometimes, and aren't always quite accessible to laypersons. This article should serve as a good overview of these laws.

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

Local governments have many 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.

On the other hand, zoning laws recognize and attempt to accommodate the necessity of factories and other industrial activities. They simply 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 Havelock, North Carolina

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

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

Of course, simply fixing a zoning violation isn't always inexpensive or easy, and may interfere with your planned use of your property. For example, you might have just undertaken a substantial remodeling of your home, and later found out that some small part of it technically doesn't conform to Havelock, North Carolina'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 quite minor, and enforcing the ordinance would be unduly burdensome and not in the public interest.

You also have substantial 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 Havelock, North Carolina 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 Havelock, North Carolina 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.

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Life in Havelock

Havelock, population 22,000, is located in Craven County in the state of North Carolina. It is one of the state's more quickly growing cities, as it is the second largest in the county. It was originally founded as a railroad station.

Havelock is best known for its connection with the United States military. The city is home to the largest Marine Corps air base on the East Coast, known locally as "Cherry Point". Also, the city is named after Sir Henry Havelock, who was a British military officer operating in India during the 1850's.

Today the town is supported by a bustling economy and is an ideal place for both residents and visitors. The city is served by a fine education system and has many facilities for leisure and recreation purposes. Visitors to the city can inquire at the Havelock Tourist Event Center to receive an in-depth guide to activities in the Havelock.

If you have a legal issue, an attorney in Havelock, North Carolina can be of great assistance. Havelock lawyers handle variety of legal claims and are available for representation and advice.

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