How to Apply for a Business Zoning Change
As you plan and develop your business, one challenge you may have to face is zoning. In a nutshell, zoning is the assignment of land for a particular use. Zoning regulations and classifications dictate what types of buildings and businesses are allowed in certain areas or zones.
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Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with the zoning regulations and classifications of your city, county or town. One of the first things you'll want to do is learn a little bit about the zoning regulations of the area where you plan to place your business as zoning regulations and classifications vary from place to place. For example, some rural towns may not have zoning regulations in place, while others may have very strict zoning codes. Knowledge of your property's history and current zoning classification, as well as knowledge of surrounding properties is also important. Generally, there are four or five basic zoning classifications found in most communities. These include residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and institutional (usually referring to schools or churches). However, each of these broad categories are usually broken down into specific classifications. It will be up to you to find out the particulars of those classifications.
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Determine the current zoning classification of your property. This can be done in a number of ways. Your real estate agent should have this information. However, if he does not, officials at the planning and zoning department of your respective municipality will.
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Determine whether you actually need to have your property rezoned. This determination can be made quickly by visiting the planning and zoning department office in your city. Tell department officials how your property is currently zoned as and your intended use for your new business. If your property is in a primarily commercial area and your intended use is another form of commercial business, you may not need to request a zoning change.
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Request a modest zoning change if possible as you will have a better chance of having the request granted. Determine whether precedents have been set for the type of change you seek. In other words, have other businesses successfully been granted the same sort of change? Try to keep the scope of your request and type of business within reason. As there are usually certain degrees of commercial zoning classifications, try to plan a business that is going to "fit in" with other surrounding businesses. For example, a shrimp processing plant might not fit in well in an area of town that primarily consists of professional offices.
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Arrange to have your request placed on the agenda before the local zoning commission of the governing body where your property is located. Simple zoning requests do not always require the presence of an attorney. However, more complex requests in areas with strict zoning regulations may demand it. Upon appearing before the zoning commission, make sure you have complete documentation concerning the type of business you intend to establish along with detailed blueprints.
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References
- Photo Credit correction blueprints image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
