Zoning, land use and development attorneys can assist those who are involved in real estate transactions. If you are going to be doing any type of land development, including new construction or remodeling, you need to make sure you do your due diligence. You want to make certain that your land can be used for the purposes that you intend and that your updates or your improvements are permissible. It is up to you to conduct your due diligence before acquiring property or entering into a contract for remodeling or building so you don't find yourself with land you cannot use or a building that violates the rules. 

One particular issue that is very important to address when you are making decisions about acquiring land or undertaking an improvement project is the zoning of the area. Zoning controls what a property can be used for. Zoning, land use and development attorneys can help you to understand how zoning laws work and can assist you in making sure you get accurate zoning information.

Curley & Rothman, LLC has provided assistance to many residential and commercial landowners, land purchasers, and property developers. We understanding zoning rules and can provide you with assistance in making certain that you know how zoning laws will affect you.  With our advice, you can decide how to move forward with purchasing land or planning a development project.

How to Discover How Property is Zoned

You can find out how property is zoned by looking at zoning maps within your local area or by looking at zoning maps in the area where the land that you are considering improving or buying is located. The easiest and quickest way to do this is to use the Internet.

In the city of Philadelphia, for example, you can visit the city website which has a separate section on zoning. The website explains certain restrictions that are imposed by zoning laws, including restrictions on what a given parcel of property can be used for and what kind of improvements and construction can be done on land that is zoned in particular ways.

On the Zoning section of the website of the city of Philadelphia, there is a link to learn about the zoning of a particular parcel. This will pull up a detailed map which you can use to find out how a property you are interested in is zoned. Using this map, you can get all of the info that you need to make informed choices about whether an improvement is allowed or a plot of land can be used for a desired purpose.

Why is it Important to Know How Property is Zoned?

It is important to know how property is zoned because it is much simpler and easier if you do not deviate from zoning rules. For example, if you want to run a business out of a property, you should make sure that you select a property that is zoned commercial. If you buy a property in a residential area and you try to use it for business purposes it is not zoned for, you are going to have to go through a lengthy and complicated process of getting a variance. You are also not necessarily guaranteed to be able to get the variance, so your intended use of your property could be permanently blocked.

Knowing the rules for how a property is zoned up front can help you to decide if you want to buy the property or begin a certain construction project or not. You can also avoid inadvertently doing anything that violates zoning laws and that could result in you facing consequences for this violation.

Getting Help from Philadelphia Zoning, Land Use and Development Attorneys

Curley & Rothman, LLC can provide invaluable help in determining how a given piece of property is zoned. You should talk with Philadelphia zoning, land use and development attorneys before you buy land or before you undertake any type of project on a plot of land.

Getting legal help is important so you can make sure you act in accordance with the zoning rules and limitations. If you violate zoning laws, you can be ordered to stop the unlawful behavior. Getting a variance can also be complicated and is not guaranteed, so it is easiest to ensure you choose land zoned appropriately for your use.

Give us a call at give us a call at 610-834-8819 or contact us to speak with a member of our legal team to find out more about how we can help with zoning issues.