How to Avoid Breaking Zoning Laws

Property owners often make the mistake of assuming that private property precludes responsibility from community standards. Every city, however, has zoning laws developed to keep neighborhoods within certain aesthetic and architectural parameters. In order to avoid breaking zoning laws, you need to understand common mistakes made by property owners.

Instructions

1. Complete zoning and building-permit applications with an eye for detail to avoid breaking zoning laws. You need to have friends and colleagues review your zoning documents for accuracy to avoid problems during administrative audits.

2. Steer clear of mixed-use properties in your effort to avoid drawing fines and penalties in violation of zoning laws. You should register home offices and commercial ventures on residential property as soon as possible to determine legalities.

3. Meet with your neighbors to determine ways to avoid complaints over structures on your property. You can settle misunderstandings with neighbors over privacy fences, decks and other additions to keep issues out of the zoning board's hands.

4. Respond immediately to notes and input from building inspectors to avoid drawing the ire of the zoning board. Your prompt response to warnings can help you avoid fines and clear the way for future permits.

5. Review community news on zoning laws and amendments to stay ahead of policies that may affect your property. You can read zoning board minutes from each month to determine the dates of enforcement for new policies as well as public-comment periods for voicing displeasure.

6. Maintain a clean and properly drained property to keep zoning officials open to new developments. You should schedule time each month to assess the physical state of your property and perform maintenance tasks.

7. Gather support for changing zoning codes that you feel impose unfair enforcement standards in your community. You can develop community groups to view the entire zoning code and find guidelines that make it difficult to avoid violating the law.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure your setbacks in relation to the street curb to avoid breaking zoning laws. Setbacks dictate the distance of structures on a property from streets and neighboring property. You should hire a contractor to measure out setbacks for your home to determine whether you are in danger of breaking zoning laws.

• Update your files to reflect changes on your property due to new zoning. You should make copies of variances, permits and property-value assessments for easy retrieval in the future.