On behalf of Thaler Law posted in real estate litigation on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

When buying property in California for residential or commercial purposes, it is smart to be cognizant of the potential risks involved with that process. When there are problems with the transaction or the property, it can lead to financial loss and other risks. In order to avoid real estate litigation, a buyer will want to find out about the property’s zoning classification and what that will mean for any goals for the land or building.

Zoning laws determine how an owner can use a specific piece of property. It can come as a surprise to a property owner that there are limits to what he or she can do. It refers to the local government’s right to control development and keep certain areas separate, such as residential properties and industrial properties.

The specific zoning designation determines both how California property can be developed and how it can be used. There are standards that determine how the owner can develop property, how tall buildings can be, how close structures can be to the road and more. Zoning laws also impact how property is used, such as for a home, an office building or an industrial purpose.

It may be possible for an owner to challenge the zoning designation. Before buying property, a potential owner will want to find out about how the existing classification will affect his or her goals for the property. People who already own a building will want to find out how zoning laws could impact their future development goals in order to avoid real estate litigation.