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Showing 15 posts in Planning and Zoning.
The Rise of Agritourism & Important Considerations
Agritourism is becoming an increasingly popular way for rural property owners to earn additional income from agricultural properties. In additional to more traditional farm tours and seasonal activities such as hay rides, corn mazes and u-pick fruits, farm owners are devising new ways to bring people to their door by offering more entertainment-oriented activities. Some farmers are offering their barns as venues for weddings, parties, dances and other special events. Others are opening their homes to visitors for vacations so guests can experience life on a working farm by helping out with routine farm chores such as feeding or herding the livestock, milking the animals, making cheese, collecting eggs, picking vegetables and preparing farm fresh meals. This may sound simple and easy to accomplish but often those who want to offer agritourism activities on their rural properties are blindsided when they run in to unanticipated difficulties with regulatory authorities over building code, fire code or zoning issues. More >
Overlay zoning
Many communities that have adopted zoning laws governing the uses that are allowed in the various zones have also adopted overlay zones that control the same property. Overlay zones are just that -- they add another layer of regulation to those that control the underlying zone. Overlay zones are intended to add additional protection the underlying area. The most common types of overlay zones are intended to protect historic areas, neighborhoods or buildings with unique characteristics or environmentally sensitive areas. More >
The Limits of Regulating Morality through Zoning Regulations
Zoning regulations are a reflection of a community’s identity and the image it desires to project to the larger world. Some otherwise lawful activities are perceived to be unsavory, immoral or conducive to crime. As such, they are often regulated more stringently than other lawful businesses. Although some of these activities can generate more police reports and government oversight than other kinds of businesses, often such establishments are safe and well operated. Even so, many community residents have moral, religious, or cultural beliefs that cause them to oppose the existence of these types of businesses anywhere at all. Not only do they fight to shutter existing businesses, but they also support zoning regulations that would prevent any new such businesses from opening within the borders of their community. Examples of such activities include sexually oriented businesses (such as adult nightclubs and book stores), gambling establishments, tattoo parlors/ piercing studios, pool halls and internet cafes that offer video games with sweepstakes prizes. More >
What Does the Board of Adjustment Do?
In communities that have adopted zoning regulations, boards of adjustment serve as a relief valve that can allow for the use of property that is not otherwise permitted under the property’s specific zoning category . Boards of adjustment have the power to grant dimensional variances, which are deviations from the dimensional requirements of a zoning ordinance pertaining to height, width, location of structures, or setbacks. For example, if a property owner wants to build or extend a structure within the required side, front or rear yard, she can appeal to the board to request permission to build closer to the property line. Applicants for a variance must show a need for the variance and that they are not unnecessarily trying to circumvent the zoning regulations. An unusually shaped lot or other unique physical characteristics of the particular property that make it hard to comply with the setback or height requirements are typically justifications for a variance. In one Kentucky case, the appellate court found that it was appropriate to grant a variance to allow building a house closer to the street because there was a sinkhole in the rear yard that prevented building the house farther back. When a board grants a variance it must make certain statutorily required findings of fact. Variances run with the land, so subsequent owners acquire the benefit without further approvals. More >
Check the Zoning Regulations Before Operating a Business Out of Your Home!
Modern technology and our ever-changing economy are causing more people to consider starting up or basing their existing businesses from home. Many communities have embraced this concept and have enacted zoning regulations that make it easier to do just that. Some jurisdictions, however, still have regulations on their books that make operating a business from home a real challenge. Regardless of where your community falls on this spectrum, it is important to know what the rules are before you start operating a business from your residence. If you live in a community without any zoning regulations you can do just about anything you want to on your property but it is advisable to check to make sure there are no recorded restrictive covenants that limit or prohibit non-residential or commercial activities in the subdivision. Assuming that there are zoning laws that apply to the property, or if you are uncertain whether your area is subject to zoning, the first step is to call the local government. There are many different names for the division of government that may regulate such matters, such as building inspection, codes and permits, or the zoning office, but if you call the general city or county number and explain what you need to know, they will direct you to the right place. More >
