Reno Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in Reno, NV

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in Nevada

In Reno, Nevada, 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 very accessible to laypersons. This article should serve as a good overview of these laws.

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 also serves the interests of industry, as well as residents. By ensuring that there are places where heavy industry can take place, well-planned zoning regulations will ensure that industrialists are free to practice their trade, and that residents will not be disturbed by those activities, which makes industry more efficient by helping it avoid costly nuisance lawsuits.

Possible Outcomes of Boundary and Title Disputes in Reno, Nevada

If something on your property is in violation of a Reno, Nevada zoning law, the landowner has several options.

The most noticeable solution is to correct the problem, so your property is no longer in violation of local zoning laws. If the violation is minor, and correcting it would not be very costly, this is likely the best way to go.

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

Further, if you have been living on your property for a long time, and made improvements on it that complied with the zoning laws in effect at the time, a new zoning law that would be violated by your current use of your property, the new law cannot be enforced against you. The U.S. Constitution bars the passage of "ex post facto," or retroactive, laws. Once the laws take effect, however, you'll have to comply with the new zoning laws with respect to any new improvements you want to make on your property.

What Can A Reno, Nevada Attorney Do?

If you are in the process of physically altering your property, you are almost certain to face some issues having to do with local zoning laws. If you find that zoning laws are making it very difficult to use your property as you see fit, you may have legal recourse, usually in the form of a variance. Of course, your chances of success in any zoning dispute will be immeasurably increased if you have the help of a qualified Reno, Nevada attorney.

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Life in Reno

Reno says it's "the biggest little city in the world." Situated in a high desert valley at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Reno is the seat of Washoe County and home to 220,500 "Reno-ites." It's the fourth most populous city in the State of Nevada behind Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Like it's compatriots, Reno is best known as a gambling and entertainment destination. Many residents of the Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix vacation in Reno. Most tourists visit during the annual festivals like the Hot August Nights classic car festival, the world renown Nugget Rib Cook-off, Reno Air Races and the Great Reno Balloon Race. There are a number of themed resorts like Circus Circus but nearly every hotel and resort has great shows. Reno is home and birthplace of Harrah's Entertainment.

The area of Reno and nearby Sparks is known as "Truckee Meadows." The city covers 69.3 square miles which also includes the Reno Events Center that hosts many concerts. There is a large population of students in Reno because University of Nevada, Reno is there. UNR is the oldest university in the State of Nevada and has a medical program that attracts national attention. Truckee Meadows Community College enrolls about 13,000 students. Nevada School of Law at Old College in Reno was the first law school in Nevada. There are a lot of courts in Reno so you shouldn't be surprised there are a lot of lawyers too. Reno lawyers can practice law throughout Nevada and know how to handle your legal issues.

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