Lumberton Zoning Attorney

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

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in North Carolina

In Lumberton, North Carolina, there are laws which determine what can and can't be done on certain parcels of land. These laws get pretty involved sometimes, and aren't always very 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. Generally, localities are divided up into "zones," which are designated for certain categories of use, such as single-family residence, business, manufacturing, etc.

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.

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 preventing legal disputes.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Lumberton, North Carolina

If a condition on your property breaks the local zoning laws of Lumberton, North Carolina, there are a few different solutions.

First of all, and most simply, the owner could just fix the violation. If the violation isn't very significant, and fixing it wouldn't cost very much, this is likely the best and simplest option.

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 Lumberton, North Carolina'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 generally 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 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 Lumberton, North Carolina Attorney Do?

If you suddenly become involved in a zoning dispute with your local government, it's essential to seek competent legal representation. The counsel of an experienced Lumberton, 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.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Lumberton

Lumberton is a city located in Robeson County, North Carolina. It currently has a population of approximately 20,000 people.

The city is located on the Lumber River, and was founded in 1787 by an Army officer, a few years after the end of the American Revolutionary War.

Originally, the Lumber River was used as a major route to transport lumber. Before the advent of mechanized transportation, it was common for lumber to be transported long distances by floating it down large rivers, and such transport was a major source of jobs and development for the areas where this transport occurred.

Most of the growth that turned Lumberton into the city it is today, however, occurred during and after WWII, where it was a major shipping center.

Modernly, the Lumber River is a major recreational attraction, allowing for swimming, rafting, and fishing. It is considered one of the most highly-prized recreational sites in the state, thanks to its natural beauty, and the fact that it features large areas of almost completely unspoiled coastal plains habitat.

There are plenty of Lumberton, North Carolina lawyers who can handle whatever legal issue you might be facing.

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