3 Common Zoning Law Categories
Zoning Law
Zoning regulations control property development. As a landowner, you have a lot of freedom in how you develop your property. However, there may be some limitations depending on the area you live in. A real estate lawyer will be more familiar with zoning regulations in your area. Even if you’ve developed land before, zoning laws tend to change. The following are three types of zoning categories you might encounter.
Historic Zoning
Buildings over 50 years old may be in historic zones. Historic zones have their regulations to maintain buildings and homes in their original condition. While you may receive an allowance to repair or restore buildings, you have to remain within the historic plan.
If you happen to own historical property listed in the National Register, you may be eligible for a 20% tax credit. The properties within the register include:
- Structures
- Sites
- Districts
- Significant objects to U.S. history and culture
If you believe that you have a property that should be on the register, you can fill out an application. As long as your building meets the requirements, it could be under historic zoning regulations.
Commercial Zoning
If you plan to use your property to open a business, you may be under commercial zoning regulations. These regulations can apply to almost any lot, other than single-family homes and lots. If you plan to build an office building, a nightclub, shopping center, hotel, or any other commercial building, you would have to pay attention to those specific regulations. Zoning laws may regulate parking and the proximity that you can be to other businesses. It is always important to stay up to date on the zoning that is being done in areas where you have commercial interests.
Residential Zoning
Residential zoning includes homes, duplexes, apartments, trailer parks and more. In a residential zone, there may be regulations on whether you can place mobile homes on the properties or how many structures you can have on one lot.
Other regulations include what type of animals you can have on the lot. For instance, a residential real estate lawyer may tell you that in many residential zones, farm animals such as cows, pigs or horses would not be allowed. In general, the zoning requirements will also include how many animals you can have. By discussing your options with a residential real estate lawyer, you don’t have to worry about breaking any regulations.