Arnold
CibbuanoProperty Zoning – Practicalities
August 29th 2006 00:13
As I mentioned yesterday, zoning regulations are controlled by the local governing body. Generally, zoning regulations are fairly universal. However, different Councils may have different views and regulations regarding certain types of zoning. This means that just because one local Council has no qualms with mixed residential and commercial property usage, another council may not follow a similar policy. Before you purchase a property with the intent to dramatically modify it usage or even just renovate, it is important to check that your plans will meet local Council approval.
This of course leads to the question of whether zoning is permanent. In short, no. You can apply to the local Council to change the zoning of your property. There is not reason why a residential property cannot be modified into a commercial property. The only restriction on re-zoning a property is the proviso of meeting Council approval. As a property investor it is important to realize that zoning laws can change and relaxations and exemptions can also be made.
Only a few years ago my Local Council subdivided a portion of a public park which was at the end of my street and sold the block of land at public auction to a housing developer who has since built a double storey family home. Naturally, the neighbours who lived across the street were peeved by this event as they once had great views of the park and onward to a river and surrounding bushland. Now, the views have all but gone and been replaced by a stark double garage and red brick frontage.
To avoid getting into a legal nightmare consulting with the local Council is paramount when you want to make some significant changes to the way your property operates. For example, if you are purchasing a large property, with a large building in the back that you’d like to rent out or use as an office, you will want to find out if office use is compatible with the local zoning. You’ll also want to know if there have been any improvements or additions made to the house after its original construction, and if so, whether they were approved. If there is no record of approval, you may want to think hard about the choice as the local authorities may ask you to tear it down or make some costly repairs if the property does not meet zoning regulations.
Checking the zoning of your property is pretty easy. All you’ll need to do is pay a visit to your local Council chambers, zoning office or planning board and make an enquiry. Zoning maps are classed as public records so you have full access to find out what zoning is applicable to your property as well as any other properties in the surrounding area. Typically a local Council will display a zoning map in their council offices. Another place to source a zoning map is from the local library.
This of course leads to the question of whether zoning is permanent. In short, no. You can apply to the local Council to change the zoning of your property. There is not reason why a residential property cannot be modified into a commercial property. The only restriction on re-zoning a property is the proviso of meeting Council approval. As a property investor it is important to realize that zoning laws can change and relaxations and exemptions can also be made.
Only a few years ago my Local Council subdivided a portion of a public park which was at the end of my street and sold the block of land at public auction to a housing developer who has since built a double storey family home. Naturally, the neighbours who lived across the street were peeved by this event as they once had great views of the park and onward to a river and surrounding bushland. Now, the views have all but gone and been replaced by a stark double garage and red brick frontage.
To avoid getting into a legal nightmare consulting with the local Council is paramount when you want to make some significant changes to the way your property operates. For example, if you are purchasing a large property, with a large building in the back that you’d like to rent out or use as an office, you will want to find out if office use is compatible with the local zoning. You’ll also want to know if there have been any improvements or additions made to the house after its original construction, and if so, whether they were approved. If there is no record of approval, you may want to think hard about the choice as the local authorities may ask you to tear it down or make some costly repairs if the property does not meet zoning regulations.
Checking the zoning of your property is pretty easy. All you’ll need to do is pay a visit to your local Council chambers, zoning office or planning board and make an enquiry. Zoning maps are classed as public records so you have full access to find out what zoning is applicable to your property as well as any other properties in the surrounding area. Typically a local Council will display a zoning map in their council offices. Another place to source a zoning map is from the local library.
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