When Should You Contact an Attorney About Zoning Issues?

Zoning in Pennsylvania

Municipalities create zoning ordinances that control developmental and operational use of land. Municipalities create zoning districts for various reasons such as economic development and to control traffic flow.

In Pennsylvania, the General Assembly has delegated much of the power to plan and regulate land use to local municipalities and counties through the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).

Zoning relief may be necessary when a developer or property owner seeks specific relief permitted under zoning ordinances or seeks a use that may not be permitted by means of a variance.

Zoning relief can be necessary for various issues such as:

1.   A use that is not permitted by current ordinance

2.   Violation of Setback Ordinances

3.   Nonconforming Use

4.   Special Exception

When Should an Individual Contact an Attorney About Zoning Issues?

It can be challenging to consider zoning laws and the relief that is necessary. Here are some examples of when an individual should contact an attorney about zoning issues: 

• Receipt of a violation notice
• Appeal of a land use or zoning decision
• Request for a variance, special exception, or conditional use
• Review of land development projects containing complicated issues

Choosing the Right Zoning Law Attorney

The municipal law attorneys at Bingaman Hess have extensive experience in a wide range of complex municipal laws, statutory and administrative requirements, regulations, procedures, and processes. As a result, they can provide a full range of municipal legal services, such as zoning appeals or challenges to issued citations.

The municipal law attorneys at Bingaman Hess can provide ongoing legal counsel or help with a specific legal issue.

Call our municipal attorneys today at 610.374.8377.