Buying A Home - Follow These Tips To Be Sure Your House Is Zoned For Your Needs

As you scour home listings trying to find the perfect home, one vital step is to evaluate all the possible plans you want to accomplish with your new home. Do you plan on starting a new business from home? Will your elderly parents be living with you? Don’t make the regrettable mistake of purchasing a home they can’t be modified for a guest unit or can’t be used for a home business. Each city has its own local zoning regulations or codes which regulate what you can and can’t do with your property. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to find out what options your neighbors are permitted to do with their property.

The first step is to check with the local municipal planning and building department to discover what the zoning use is for the neighborhood you’re interested in. The primary classification is single-family residential, however you also find some neighborhoods zoned for multifamily, transitional, or mixed use such as residential and commercial.

It’s vital to evaluate and decide which zoning classification is perfect for your circumstances. If a home business is in your future goals, choosing a house with a mixed used zone may be more suitable. One point to be aware of is your neighbor may also take advantage of the zoning allowances and construct a business or apartment complex next door to you.

Besides regulating what you can do with your property, zoning restrictions also spell the maximum square footage a home can be, the minimum size, number of floors, and how it’s centered on the lot. There are also regulations stating the number of feet your home needs to be from the road and how much distance it has to be from your neighbor’s home. These restrictions can significantly impact any future plans you may have for a new bathroom or wood deck.

You should consult with a local realtor or real estate lawyer if you come across these circumstances:

1) You Need To Operate A Business From Home - If you have an existing home business or plan to start one in the future, make sure you check the zoning restrictions to be certain one is allowed-especially if you’re looking in zones designated as residential. The city has its own set of regulations regarding the operation of a home business. If possible, try locating residents who operate businesses from their home and see how cooperative the city is.

2) You Have Renovation Plans - If you have remodeling plans or want to build onto an existing house, the city zoning codes may subject you to burdensome regulations on the type of remodeling you can perform. For example, some city regulations may prevent the addition of a second story.

3) You plan to park an RV or boat in your driveway.

4) You Want To Buy Property In A Historical District - Local zoning regulations for these type of homes are very strict and designed to maintain a home’s original style and color scheme.

5) You want to dispose of a tall tree.

6) You have unusual or special plans.

7) You want to keep farm animals such as chickens or pigs.

Looking to find the best deal on Costa Mesa homes for sale? Come and see what Costa Mesa Realtors can do to help you find your dream home.

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