If your property has both an R designation and a C1 or C2 designation, your property is in a so-called “commercial overlay”. This means that you can build a commercial residential building on the ground floor (or in some cases, two commercial floors). Other types of combinations are often caused when a property crosses the boundaries of a zoning district. The special provisions in Chapter 7 of Article VII explain how you can determine which rules of height, bribes, floor area and use apply to your property. Zoning determines whether a particular geographic area is acceptable for residential or commercial use. For example, zoning laws move oil refineries away from homes. In this way, places are organized rationally and factories remain at a comfortable distance from urban life. Lol All new buildings and alterations to existing buildings must comply with current zoning regulations, even if many neighbouring buildings were constructed prior to the zoning change and even if the zoning change was made recently. The number of housing units allowed on a parcel is controlled by zoning. (Other regulations, such as the New York Building Code and the NYS Multiple Dwelling Law, also govern the size and shape of housing units.) The method of calculating the maximum number of units is explained in sections 23 and 22 of the zoning resolution. The installation of new sidewalks requires sites to comply with zoning regulations. Sidewalk cutting regulations in residential neighbourhoods can vary, while in commercial and manufacturing districts, curb cutting is generally permitted unless it is within 50 feet of an intersection. Contact the Zoning Helpdesk for assistance with zoning requirements for new sidewalks.

For more information on how to obtain the necessary permits, click here. To find a site`s zoning bylaws, you must first find the location on official zoning maps. The corresponding map shows the base area applied to the location. It also indicates whether the site is subject to overlapping areas or planned districts, and whether it contains a historic landmark or recreational trail. You will then search for all relevant regulations in the zoning code. Deviations from existing zoning are possible. Variance requests will be reviewed by the city`s Standards and Appeals Board (BSA). Property owners seeking a variance must demonstrate that there are “practical or unnecessary difficulties” they face in complying with zoning by-laws. See Article VII, Chapter 2 of the Zoning Resolution for regulations that apply to variances, or contact BSA for more information. Rezoning is essentially a rezoning of a property. The process is rarely simple.

Note that any zoning changes must be consistent with the local master land use plan. To confirm this, you will receive a copy of the master plan from the zoning or planning office. Community facilities are permitted by law in most residential and commercial areas and with special permission in others. Determine the specific zoning district for your block by visiting ZoLa. Once you know your specific zoning district, you will find the residential district`s terms of use in Section 22-10, commercial districts in Section 32-10, and manufacturing districts in Section 42-10. Simply put, zoning ensures that properties are delineated according to their purpose. In this way, a specific area can be designated for a specific purpose. Basically, zoning helps maintain neighborhood uniformity by grouping similar property types. District zoning changes may be proposed by individuals, municipal authorities or elected officials. The proposed amendments must be significant in the context of the surrounding uses and existing zoning designations. Zone changes go through the Uniform Land Use Review Process (RURTU). This process includes review and recommendations from affected community councils and the district chair.

The planning commission and, ultimately, city council decide whether to approve the rezoning. Municipal councils and the planning commission are required to hold public hearings, and the district chair and council have the opportunity to do so. The ZIMAS app is designed to provide zoning information for specific properties. You can search ZIMAS for: property address, street intersection, assessor`s parcel number, case number, community plan area, council district, certified ward council, PIN number, legal description, and map sheet. Laws or zoning codes regulate the size, location and use of structures in defined areas. Zoning laws vary from state to state and even between municipalities. Gated communities and homeowner associations may also have additional laws and zoning ordinances that need to be considered. An example of a zoning code regulated by the local government is bribery orders, which determine how far you can build boundaries from your property. In general, no. Any new building permit submitted following a zoning change must comply with the zoning by-laws in effect at that time. However, after a zoning change, any existing legally constructed building is considered a “grandfather right” and receives special repair and reconstruction rights in the event of damage or destruction. Please refer to Article V of the Zoning Resolution for more information on damage and destruction of existing buildings (referred to as “non-compliant” and “non-compliant”).

In general, the Zoning Division does not make written statements or interpretations of zoning by-laws and does not review or make recommendations on specific development proposals. In cases where the text is vague or deficient, problems can be resolved by a decision by the ministry`s Zoning Interpretation Group. Please contact the Zoning Assistance Service for interpretation requests. Zoning laws are a great way to legally protect landowners from harmful or unwanted uses of a property in their area. These laws help them maintain an orderly and systematic neighborhood. Zoning rules provide insight into what can be built on a parcel of land and how land will be allocated at the local level. In ZIMAS, users can easily find zoning in the “Planning and zoning” menu. Check ZoLa to see if your property is located in a residential, commercial or manufacturing area. To determine which signs are allowed in your zoning district, the correct location and size of the signs, and whether they can light up or flash, read the following sections of the zoning resolution in: It is important to know the zoning laws before making any changes to your property.

Many cities have their full zoning code available online, but if not, you can visit your community clerk`s office or local library to find it. Keep in mind that there are different categories of zoning laws, such as residential, mixed-use, and commercial laws, and you need to know what type of zone your property is in to find the right ordinances. If you can`t find a clear answer when reading the zoning laws, call your planning department for a second opinion. You can also attend a meeting of the homeowners association in your area and ask them for advice. This is a good idea if you haven`t bought the property yet and want to get an idea of the processes and managers. To learn how to apply for an exemption from ownership restrictions, read on from our legal co-author! The best place to look for your local laws is your city or municipal government office. The offices of the mayor, city attorney or housing department are also a good place to start. Some public libraries may also have local ordinance documents. Local zoning laws are also increasingly published on the Internet. If you are a member of a gated community or homeowners association, your agreements, conditions, and restrictions should list all the laws and zoning ordinances specific to your neighborhood. Once you have found your property with ZoLA, click on the hyperlink corresponding to the name of your area. This will lead you to an overview that describes the types of buildings you can construct in your zoning district.

It`s not wrong to say that zoning makes real estate attractive – to both buyers and developers. If you want to buy real estate – whether residential or commercial, zoning will help you get the best property for your needs. For the owner, this helps protect the value of their property by preventing incompatible or inappropriate occupants from entering. For example, it is due to zoning restrictions that a retail store in a single-family residential neighbourhood is not allowed. Your local zoning laws determine the zoning district of your property. Fortunately, zoning ordinances and maps are public documents – freely available to any potential buyer. You can visit your local zoning office, town hall or local planning authority, call or email and get a copy of the order. With our online ZoLa (Zoning and Land Use Application) tool, you can quickly and easily determine the zoning of your property.