Benefits of Hiring a Land Use Attorney
Many people do not think about land use law in their day-to-day activities, but a land use attorney can provide critical benefits during key times in your life. These services are especially beneficial to small business owners when they want to invest in a new property or adjust their operations. Other times, you may be facing legal challenges where comprehensive knowledge of land use law is the only way to defend your rights.
So make sure you make note of the following times you may need a Nevada land use and zoning lawyer to see how they could benefit you:
When You Want to Start a New Business or Modify Operations
Business owners require representation from a land use lawyer more often than anyone else. A business will engage in many activities, all of which have consequences in terms of the use of property where those activities take place.
For instance, a new neighborhood bakery will cook baked goods every morning, which creates minor amounts of fumes and smells within the area. They also typically have delivery trucks coming and going as well as vehicles bringing in foot traffic.
All of these activities must be legal usage of the property and in compliance with laws for the local area. Some neighborhoods may have laws against business-sourced cooking fumes within a certain number of feet or restrictions on which roads business traffic can travel.
A land use lawyer can check to see if your business activities can stay clear of such restrictions. If they will likely not, then a land use lawyer can help your business seek a permit or a variance to enable them. Many times, an attorney with knowledge in land use will come to a compromise with local regulators, such as putting up signage restricting business traffic from coming in a certain entrance.
All of these precautions prevent hefty fines or lawsuits, which run the risk of shutting down the business in extreme cases.
Property Transfer or Renovations
Residential land use typically involves less complex questions than business activities do, but that is not always the case.
Someone may wish to install a pool, add on an in-law suite, run a business out of their house or begin renting out rooms within their property, as a few examples. All of these activities could run outside the norms of residential land use and require approval from local officials or at least a confirmation as to their legality.
A zoning lawyer can clear up the more complex of these questions while smoothing the permitting process.
Land Use Lawsuits
Neighbors, HOAs (homeowners associations), governments and more can sometimes be so disapproving of prior land use that they file a lawsuit against the offending property owner.
If your business or residential activities are put in these crosshairs, you will likely need a lawyer familiar with Nevada land use and zoning laws. They can help determine your options in such instances and potentially reduce or negate the impact of legal action taken against you.
So, whether you are starting a business, curious about how you intend to use a residential property, or facing legal action for previous land use, a Nevada land use attorney can provide invaluable services.
Contact Connor & Connor today if you have any questions about land use or if you think you might need a legal representative.
