How does zoning affect me? Is it a cause or effect? Or impact?

The occasion will eventually arise – either for business or home – where you will have an opportunity to learn what you can and can’t do with your land.

To avoid getting into legal hot water, for example, if you are purchasing a 19th century mansion, 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.