Zoning is dictated by local ordinances in the state of California. These rules and regulations put in place by local city councils and other appropriate representatives determine exactly how people can legally use land. Unfortunately, sometimes there are conflicts that must be taken before a judge.
Zoning in California
Zoning in California is used to determine if land can be used for specific purposes. These uses include:
- agricultural
- commercial
- industrial
- residential
These, however, are not the only possible categories. There could also be subcategories based on the jurisdiction in California with their own unique rules and regulations.
Zoning conflicts
Sometimes issues come up regarding zoning that must be resolved in the legal system via things like land use litigation. This occurs when a landowner believes their rights have been harmed by zoning ordinances and associated regulations. Examples include:
- aesthetic issues
- boundary disputes
- buffer disputes
- changes in the law
- pollution issues
- variance requests
Some of these may be self-explanatory but others are more technical in nature. A variance request, for example, refers to a request for relief from an undue hardship brought about by a zoning regulation. Other issues may come about from regulators not considering the consequences of changing zoning regulations or lack of clarity in the regulations that do exist.
Solutions
The legal system gives a wide latitude to city officials and regulators to govern how zoning operates. Still, there are certain cases where a person may win after launching zoning litigation in the court system. If too much money has already been spent on construction, an exception can be given to allow owners to continue to use the land for that purpose.
Make sure you understand the law before investing too much into a specific project. Challenging zoning laws can be difficult.