How to Fight Against Bad Zoning Laws
Homeowners and business people in your city may adhere to zoning laws because they feel there is no other choice. It is important for city residents to understand that the creation of any law involves personal and political motivations. You can lead the fight against bad zoning laws with a multifaceted campaign.
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Instructions
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Join the zoning board by running in your city's spring elections against current board members. The best way to fight bad zoning laws and set new precedents for property development is from within city government.
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Organize a neighborhood petition that is clear, concise and signed by a majority of property owners. You can use copies of this petition to demonstrate the lack of popularity of a zoning law during the appeals process.
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Seek out expert testimony from contractors, lawyers and others familiar with zoning issues to support your fight against bad zoning codes. Such testimony can point to faulty interpretations of zoning laws.
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Study zoning laws in cities of comparable size to find precedent for changing building codes. You should focus your study on cities in your region to maintain historical uniformity and cultural identity in your arguments against bad zoning laws.
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Maintain a regular presence in city council and zoning board meetings to apply pressure against faulty laws. You should comment on every decision made by the board to demonstrate your concerns in the public record.
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Work with neighbors and community members to develop an alternative zoning law that can act as a replacement for a poorly conceived law. You should apply the language of this law to peer reviews and determine feasibility before presenting the law in public meetings with the board.
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Look at an overview of the location of commercial, residential and industrial zones in your community to inform your protest of bad zoning laws. You need to avoid pushing for additional residential and mixed-use space when your city is dealing with space issues brought on by large commercial zones.
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Tips & Warnings
Review the adverse effects of new businesses that are taking advantage of bad zoning laws. Retail outlets and other commercial endeavors that enter your city may contribute to traffic congestion and lower property values. Look at other cities a business has moved into for evidence of poor zoning decisions.
Avoid wearing out your welcome with the appeals board by choosing appeals carefully. Your effort to push out bad zoning laws can be helped with selective use of zoning appeals.
