How do I find out how my property is zoned?

With rare exception, property is governed by local zoning law that restricts its use. Although zoning law can differ across communities, the general purpose of zoning is to maintain neighborhood uniformity by grouping similar property uses together into zones.  Because zoning controls what a property owner can and cannot do with their land, it is important to understand how your property is zoned, and what uses are permitted.

Consult Your Local Zoning Office

While many property owners will have a general idea about how their property is zoned because of the neighborhood it is in, there can be several subcategories within a zoning plan that go into detail about the exact type of activity that is permitted.  A simple way to get information on how property is zoned is to go to the local zoning office, city hall, or some other local planning board and asking for a copy of your local ordinance. The zoning ordinance is public record, so any property owner may get a copy by making a request.  In addition to the zoning ordinance, most communities will provide zoning maps showing not only what the zoning ordinance is, but the overall zoning plan. Many communities will also have this information available online, so it is a good idea to visit your city's homepage and see if they have the zoning ordinance and zoning map posted on the internet. Accessing information about how your property is zoned does not require significant research, but if you have difficulty being able to access the records, ask the local officials for help or consult a local attorney for assistance.

Getting Legal Help

Once you have the records, you may find that the details of your zoning ordinance are more complicated than you thought, or that an intended use that you thought was permitted is, in fact, not.  A local attorney familiar with zoning law can help explain a complicated zoning plan, and help you find ways to get permission from the local zoning board to expand the lawful use of your property.  For any questions about how to understand, access, or change your local zoning law you should work with an attorney familiar with the process.