Zoning laws have an impact on where you will locate your business. They determine whether you will make an investment in a certain neighborhood or will go elsewhere. Zoning laws vary from one community to the next. They are designed to protect public health and safety by designating what activities you can do where.
Governments enact and enforce zoning laws as part of public health and safety protections. For example, you would not want a waste management facility right by your house or a noisy factory right by a school or library. Some industries present hazards, and zoning laws distance those hazards from residential areas. There are different types of zoning laws, including:
- Residential: These are areas where people are allowed to live. You will find single-family, multifamily housing, apartments, and duplexes in these areas.
- Commercial: This is a business area where you will find commerce taking place in retail stores, offices, and restaurants.
- Agricultural: These areas allow you to farm, raise livestock, and do similar activities.
- Industrial: This is where large warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers are located.
- Recreational: These are locations where you can relax and enjoy different activities in stadiums, parks, and places for entertainment and sporting events.
- Mixed-use: These are places where different activities can occur such as residential and commercial blending together. You will see different retail businesses that cater to the homes around them.
- Single-use: This is when the entire area is zoned for only one type of activity, such as residential or commercial usage.
These designations offer general guidelines about the classification of the area and what activities are allowed.
Some areas can have mixed-use zoning laws, so a house could be on the same block as a business. Other areas are strictly zoned for a single use, so you cannot have a house right between a strip mall and a restaurant, or a business in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Conditional Use Requirements
Zoning laws can include specific regulations and restrictions that state what you can do on the property. These are referred to as conditional use requirements. They place restrictions on noise, parking, the size of the property, and environmental requirements.
In the case of businesses, this can have an impact on a range of things, from the size of their signs to the number of available parking spaces. You can avoid these challenges by getting two kinds of exceptions:
- Variance: A variance is a waiver granted from certain provisions in zoning laws. It allows you to avoid complying with this portion because of the possible harm these changes will do to you. You must show that the harm will occur and the possible impacts on you in order to receive a variance.
- Non-conforming use permits: These are permits issued by planning and development authorities that excuse you from following a specific portion of the zoning laws.
Both of these are non-transferable and only apply to the parties that originally sought the relief. In other words, you can’t pass these on to your heirs or another party if you die or sell the property. Variances and non-conforming use permits will give you – and no one else — protection against specific parts of the zoning laws.
These are temporary solutions that will not change the long-term realities of your property. A good approach is to always ensure that you are complying with all zoning laws. This avoids costly penalties, fines, civil lawsuits, and interruptions to your operation.
Zoning laws can be tricky, and you want someone on your side who knows what to do. Contact the Weisblatt Law Firm today at (713) 666-1981 and get your free phone consultation.
Why Choose Us?
Our founder, Andrew Weisblatt, has over 30 years of experience working in real estate law. He learned from well-known Houston attorney Alvin Rosenthal. Andrew was Alvin’s business partner. When Alvin retired, Andrew grew the firm from a two-person operation to one with over 20 people.
Clients work with dedicated professionals that have the knowledge and experience to handle a range of cases. We understand the different zoning laws and focus on creating favorable outcomes. We have five-star reviews and our clients talk about the firm’s focus on innovative solutions.
We will help you to deal with the short- and long-term zoning issues. Our team of professionals knows that fines and other penalties can be expensive. Our job is to create solutions that eliminate these issues and ensure your property complies with the zoning requirements. We use all of our connections, experience, resources, and knowledge to help you.
Contact the Weisblatt Law Firm today at (713) 666-1981 and ask about a free phone consultation.
How We Can Help
Our team of professionals will help you to get clear and objective advice. We are here to help you to find solutions that will put these issues behind you. Our goal is to give you customized advice that will produce favorable results.
You work with an experienced attorney that understands zoning laws. We use all of our resources to look out for your best interests.
Andrew Weisblatt has over 30 years of experience, and you are in good hands with him. He is honest and upfront about what he can do. When he is negotiating with the other party, he is known for his toughness and shrewdness. Andrew will walk away from an unacceptable offer.
We will go over your case and discuss the different options. You will learn how we can create favorable outcomes for you.
Contact us now at (713) 666-1981 and put our knowledge and experience to work for you. We understand Houston zoning laws for commercial or any other type of property and will help you.
Learn More About How A Houston Business Attorney Can Assist You
The Weisblatt Law Firm can help with our knowledge and experience in zoning laws. We frequently practice in these areas and know what to do when it comes to zoning issues. You work with an experienced attorney that understands business zoning laws. They will help you to successfully resolve your case so you can put these issues behind you and move on.
Contact the Weisblatt Law Firm today at (713) 666-1981 and get your free phone consultation. We will help you to figure out what to do to create the best outcomes for you.
Attorney Andrew Weisblatt
Mr. Weisblatt has practiced continuously since becoming licensed in 1992 and has represented businesses ranging in size from one person start-up ventures to multi-national corporations employing hundreds of people in multiple countries. From 2005 through 2009 Mr. Weisblatt was in-house counsel and chief operating officer of a multi-national corporation in the steel products industry. That in-house position provided valuable insight into how businesses work and what they actually need from their lawyers – both in-house and outside counsel. Attorney Bio
