Zoning Regulations to Consider When Purchasing Property
Real estate is a significant investment that requires a great deal of planning and consideration before you even make an offer, let alone sign all the closing paperwork. There are a variety of considerations you’ll need to weigh in the process, including the condition of the building, access to the property, the environmental state of the land and some of the zoning issues that may pop up during the course of your ownership of the property.
Read on for some information from a real estate lawyer in Miami, FL about some of these zoning and planning issues.
Current zoning classification
No matter what kind of property you’re purchasing, it’s important to examine how the land is currently zoned. This will be the main factor that determines how you can use the property, and will also give some insight into how the municipality believes that property can be most effectively and efficiently put to use for the community.
Zoning not only restricts the usage of the property, but also puts regulations in place for the size of buildings, the placement of buildings, the ability to store RVs and boats, whether or not animals are allowed on the property and other issues that you can find in your local ordinances.
There are ways you can get zoning changed, and you may be able to get conditional use permits. Keep in mind, though, that this requires some extra work and expense, and you’re not necessarily guaranteed to get the result you’re hoping for.
Planning for the future
When examining a property, you should consider all aspects of the property and the neighborhood in general, and what it may look like in five or 10 years and beyond. Does the city have any plans for any vacant lots in the area? Is there any potential for a highway expansion that could run right through your property? Are there any potential changes on the docket that would either help or hurt your investment in this new property? The more familiar you can become with the local government’s long-term plans for the area around your property, the better informed a decision you can make at the time of your purchase.
You should also be sure to talk to people who already own properties in the area, to see what sorts of plans they have in mind for developments of their own.
Design restrictions
There are other potential restrictions that might affect how you use your property. If you have a property or building in a historic district or an area with design overlays, there might be restrictions on the kinds of remodeling or building projects you can perform in the area. If your property is located on a wetland or floodplain, you can expect greater restrictions with regard to building placement, landscaping and topography alteration.
For more information about zoning, design and long-range planning issues that could affect your real estate purchase, contact an experienced real estate lawyer in Miami, FL at the office of Ruben J. Padron, PA today.
Categorised in: Real Estate Attorney