Zoning, Planning & Land Use

Land Use laws impose specific standards regarding how property can be used, such as how a building can be built, how big or small it can be, and where it may be placed on the property. These specifications may be laid out in local regulations or in building codes. Building codes are developed to protect public health and safety. To ensure compliance with building codes, many municipalities require that property owners obtain building permits before they begin any type of construction or development.

Other kinds of land use regulations serve to protect the environment. Any development that may have an effect on the environment must conform to local, state and federal regulations. For example, the National Environmental Policy Act is a federal law that requires federal agencies to create environmental impact statements and give permission to developers planning projects that could adversely affect the environment. Such statements detail the effects of projects on areas such as air and water quality, safety and wildlife.

Zoning is a local government's attempt to create uniform neighborhoods and land uses in certain areas, by controlling how you can use your property and what you can build on your property. Zoning categorizes and separates differing land uses into distinct districts within a municipality. Typically, a local government will provide separate districts for residential, business and industrial uses.  Problems often arise when an owner's desire for his/her land conflicts with the current or expected land use regulations.