North Myrtle Beach Zoning Attorney

Find the right Zoning Planning & Land Use attorney in North Myrtle Beach, SC

Zoning Planning & Land Use Law in South Carolina

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has laws which control how individual parcels of land can be used, and how they cannot. These rules aren't always simple, and this article should serve as an introduction to some of the most frequent issues that homeowners might face, though it is not meant to turn a layperson into an expert.

"Zoning" is the process by which a local government makes laws determining how individual pieces of land within its jurisdiction can be used. Normally, 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 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 typically 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 North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

You have quite a few options if you find that a planned or prevailing use of your property breaks North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina's zoning regulations.

It should be clear, however, that the ideal solution is to just fix any condition on your property which is in violation of a local zoning law. If the violation is not significant, and correcting it won't substantially interfere with your use of your property, this is likely the ideal course of action.

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 North Myrtle Beach, South 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 typically 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 considerable 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 North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Attorney Do?

If you suddenly become involved in a zoning dispute with your local government, it's necessary to seek competent legal representation. The counsel of an accomplished North Myrtle Beach, South 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 North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a city located on the Atlantic coast, on Horry County. As of the year 2000, North Myrtle Beach has a population of about 11,000 people.

The area now comprising North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was first explored by Europeans when the Spanish reached the area in 1514. Blackbeard's pirates set up camps and outposts in the area in the 1700s, contributing to the area's storied history.

North Myrtle Beach is a very popular resort town, serving tens of thousands of visitors each year.

North Myrtle Beach is right on the Atlantic coast, and features miles of beautiful beaches, and warm waters for swimming in during the summer months.

Needless to say, tourism is a crucial component of the economy of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There are many businesses in the city that support the tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, and souvenir retailers.

If you live in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and need an attorney, it's very likely that you'll be able to find one who's right for you. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina lawyers can handle just about any legal issue they're faced with. If you need legal advice, you should contact a North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina lawyer immediately.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA