North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, which has led to a spike in the number of new construction projects in the Tar Heel State each year. If you’re a real estate developer in NC, it’s undoubtedly an exciting time for you, thanks to all the potential projects you have on your plate. However, you shouldn’t allow this excitement to cause you to overlook the zoning laws that often affect those in your particular profession.
Here is how zoning laws impact you as a real estate developer in North Carolina and what you can do about it.
Determine How You Can Use Available Plots of Land
Just because certain plots of land in North Carolina are available for purchase doesn’t mean you should buy them and start putting together plans to build on them. First, you’ll need to look into which zoning classifications apply to these plots of land.
Zoning laws determine how real estate developers in NC can utilize land. Here are several common permitted land uses in the state:
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Mixed-use development
If a plot of land is designated for residential use under NC’s zoning laws, you can’t build a strip mall or a warehouse on it. You’ll need to abide by the zoning laws that are in place to avoid legal issues.
Require You To Comply With Different Density Restrictions
In addition to affecting how you may use plots of land as a real estate developer in North Carolina, zoning laws also put you in a position where you’ll need to ensure compliance with different density restrictions.
A plot of land might only be zoned for a specific number of dwelling units per acre. You can’t legally build homes or other buildings with more dwelling units than that without breaking local zoning laws.
Provide You With Limitations on Building Designs and Sizes
Zoning laws restrict you when it comes to the different types of structures you can build on plots of land in North Carolina, but they don’t stop there. They also have an impact on the building designs you use and the sizes of the buildings you’re allowed to create.
More specifically, these laws might affect:
- How tall a building should be
- How far a building should sit from property lines
- How a building should look on the exterior
- What landscaping is required
- What buffer zones are needed due to nearby property zoning
Force You To Go Through Long Rezoning Processes
Let’s say you recently purchased a plot of land zoned for residential use but would like to build a commercial structure on it. You might assume you’re out of luck, right?
Not necessarily. Before shutting down your plans, you may want to explore the idea of going through the rezoning process in an attempt to earn conditional zoning. If you create a compelling enough case and present it effectively during public hearings, you might be granted zoning variances so that you can create a commercial building on it instead of a residential home.
Just ensure you’re aware of how long and tedious the rezoning process is sometimes. It may present complexities you might not understand without assistance from a real estate litigator, even if you’ve worked as a real estate developer in North Carolina for decades.
Make It Necessary for You To Hire Real Estate Litigators
If you spend enough years working in the real estate development industry, you’ll inevitably encounter issues with zoning laws and even more restrictive overlay districts at the start of projects. You will, therefore, need to hire experienced real estate litigators in North Carolina to work hard on your behalf as far as the rezoning process is concerned.
You might also deal with other zoning-related complications. Real estate litigators in NC will assist you in taking cases involving zoning and land use plans to court.
Call Us When Zoning Laws Impact You As a Real Estate Developer in NC
Zoning laws will always have at least some impact on real estate developers in North Carolina. Development regulations don’t, however, have to prevent you from being able to do business in certain parts of the state.
If zoning laws are impeding your ability to develop land, let the real estate litigators from Anderson Jones, PLLC, lend a hand. We will assess your situation and help you come up with solutions to zoning problems you may face during real estate development in NC.
Contact us at 919-277-2541 today to schedule a consultation with a trusted real estate litigator.