Title: Consequences of Violating Zoning Laws
Headings: Consequences of Violating Zoning Laws
Consequences of Violating Zoning Laws
Purpose of Zoning Laws
Requesting Changes in Zoning
Consequences of Zoning Violations
Zoning Violation Resolution

Content: Suppose, that in a strictly residential area, the homeowner adds an extra back room in the house to operate a massage business. Even if neighbors don’t notice the illegal business activity, when the homeowner later decides to sell, he or she cannot guarantee the property is “up to code”, and runs the risk of being forced to accept a reduced price or withdraw the home from the market. Even if ownership has changed hands since the illegal construction, if it comes to the attention of the local authorities, perhaps through a tax assessment, the new owner can be ordered to pay a fine, and be required to comply with the zoning regulations, which may mean being forced to tear down the illegal construction. Purpose of Zoning Laws
Zoning laws help local agencies plan the physical development and use of real property in the entire municipality. Zoning preserves property values and makes cities and towns better places to live. Localities typically divide their jurisdictions into segments called “zones” on which particular types of use are permitted. For example, one area of a town might be zoned for residential use, one nearby may be zoned for commercial use, and areas on the outskirts of town may be zoned for industrial use. Without zoning laws, a business might be able to purchase a parcel next to a home and build an incompatible structure which the owner operates at all hours of the day and night. Zoning laws also protect businesses that engage in nonresidential land use by making sure they can conduct their business without interference from neighboring landowners. Besides restricting the uses of real property, zoning laws regulate the density allowed on a property, the intensity of use, number of parking spaces determined by the use, how parking spaces are surfaced, fencing, setback requirements, signage, home occupations, and landscaping.