Zoning is crucial for urban planning, determining the function of a property for commercial, industrial, or residential use. Redevelopment may be required to change the terms of use, but city regulations can limit growth and pose safety concerns. Laws vary by region and can make rezoning simple or complex.
Zoning is an essential act of urban planning. It helps determine the function of a property in specific locations to provide the most well-planned city or town. The property may be intended for commercial, industrial or residential use. Sometimes properties such as living/working spaces contain multiple zones, some for residential use and some for commercial use. When a city government or real estate owner wants to change the terms of use of the property, they may have to go through the process of redevelopment of the physical property, which can be simple or complex depending on city demands and requirements.
For example, you may own a very large lot that is zoned for just one residence. To increase profits, you may decide to divide the land and build a second home on it. Legally, you can’t do this unless you submit rezoning paperwork to your city government. Generally with large properties, this is all that is required.
However, there can be some problems with rezoning. Some cities limit the number of new buildings that can be built each year and have specific growth limits that may interfere with your plans. It’s important before you start hiring architects or builders that you make sure your plans to redevelop your property for more than one residence won’t be rejected by the city.
Other times, people use rezoning to convert one type of space into another. In smaller towns, you may see nice old houses converted into office buildings. In most cases, these have had to move from residential homes to commercial offices. While you may not need to rearrange your home if you run a small business from your home, converting a residence into an office suite generally means requiring redevelopment. Again, various city regulations can make this impossible, so it’s always important to check the zoning limits in your city before proceeding with the plans. Some businesses, such as liquor stores, may need to be within a defined distance of schools.
Another concern with rezoning is the safety of converting a building or property of one type to another. You’ll notice, for example, that gas stations often sit empty for years after they close. This is because they may not be safe to build upon for other purposes. Areas formerly industrial zones may come under close scrutiny if they are to be redeveloped as commercial or residential. Cities must ensure that there are no residual pollutants or toxic chemicals that could pose a hazard to new residents or workers in the area.
City laws, or county laws in unincorporated areas, tend to determine the degree to which you’ll be able to redevelop areas, to convert the use of one type of property from one thing to another. If you are considering retraining, investigate these laws thoroughly. Region questions may vary from city to city. Some rezoning requests are straightforward and some tremendously complicated depending on city or county restrictions on growth, the percentage of business types allowed, and a variety of other factors.
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