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What are the neccessary steps to take if you want to be successful in getting a variance at the local planning office when attempting to change a zoning ordinance?
A question came in from a New York caller this week asking us what they could do about their builder because the property the builder was going to buy for them to build their home on had been turned down by the local jurisdiction for a building permit because of zoning issues. The caller had signed an agreement for a home on that piece of property with the builder over three months ago and according to the caller, the builder was just now finding out a variance would have to be applied for and approved before the home could be built on that piece of property. The caller had very few details on why it had been rejected. This jurisdiction charges a $1400 filing fee to apply for the variance which might take another three months. We told them Permit Place cannot give legal advice on our Tip of The Week feature. But, we do want to tell all our readers that a variance is never automatic! Anytime you apply for a variance to any zoning ordinance you stand a very good chance of being rejected. So, unless you absolutely have to build on a particular piece of property and can afford to lose the filing fee, you might want to consider other options. |