As you search for a new home, it’s important to consider all the potential plans you may have in the future. Are you planning to start a new home business? Will your in-laws be moving in? Don’t make the major mistake of buying a home only to find out later a home business is prohibited, or the garage can’t be permitted for an in-law guest unit. Local zoning rules or city codes dictate what you can do with your home. It also wouldn’t hurt to check out what your neighbors are allowed 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.
Hire a competent Realtor or attorney to help you research local zoning and municipal rules if any of the following situations occur:
1) You Have Plans For A Home Business – If the house you’re contemplating on purchasing is situated in a residential zone, study the regulations to see what’s permitted. You’ll find some cities permit a home business under certain conditions. Contact other local home businesses to discover what their experience has been with the city.
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) Parking a RV or boat in your front 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 unique or specialized 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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