Franklin Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Franklin, NJ

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in New Jersey

In Franklin, New Jersey, 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 quite accessible to laypersons. This article should serve as a good overview of these laws.

"Zoning" is the process by which a local government makes laws determining how individual pieces of land within its jurisdiction can be used. Typically, towns or cities are segmented off into "zones," each one being designated for a specific type of use. Examples of typical zoning categories are single family residence, commercial, multi-unit housing, or industrial.

Local governments have various 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 usually acknowledge the necessities of things like factories, sewage treatment plants, and stockyards, but recognize that such activities shouldn't be done in residential areas.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Franklin, New Jersey

Suppose you find that some condition on your land is in violation of Franklin, New Jersey's zoning laws. In cases like this, you have quite a few avenues.

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

Of course, just fixing a zoning violation isn't always inexpensive or easy, and may interfere with your planned use of your property. For instance, 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 Franklin, New Jersey'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 are also protected if your land is currently in complete compliance with local zoning regulations, but the area where your land sits is re-zoned, and your property is suddenly not in compliance with the new zoning regulations. Usually, these new regulations cannot be utilized to force you to change existing conditions on your property. No laws can be applied retroactively, under the U.S. Constitution. Of course, if you make any improvements on your land after the law changes, you'll have to comply with the new law.

What Can A Franklin, New Jersey Attorney Do?

If you want to make improvements to your property, apply for a variance, or contest a zoning regulation as being applied to you retroactively, you have a right to do so, including some constitutional protections. However, your chances of prevailing in a zoning conflict will be markedly improved if you hire an efficient Franklin, New Jersey real estate attorney to help.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Franklin

Franklin is located in Sussex County, New Jersey. As of 2010, its population is 5,045 people. Franklin's nickname is the "Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World," because it's location is over rich land that has over one hundred and fifty minerals. Many of the minerals are fluorescent, hence the name, and twenty-five of the minerals are found nowhere else on earth! Therefore, Franklin is a very special place.

The largest employer is the New Jersey Zinc Company. Earlier, smaller companies mined zing and iron in Franklin. In the early nineteenth century, zinc deposits were found in Franklin. Since then, zinc has become significant for the Franklin economy. The smaller companies merged into one large effort via the New Jersey Zinc Company, formed in 1897.

A few attorneys call Franklin home. These attorneys serve as a source of legal guidance for Franklin residents.

Overall, Franklin is a small city filled with history and rich in culture and minerals!

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