You are the owner of your house, but what you are allowed to do to improve your own property is generally governed by your town’s zoning laws. Zoning regulations in communities throughout New Jersey are complicated. It’s important to speak with a qualified real estate lawyer who knows the ins and outs of New Jersey zoning laws before hiring a contractor and investing any money or time into a project.
If you are considering any of the following property improvements, find out how your town’s zoning guidelines regarding them.
- Pool
- Fence
- Expansion
- Exterior renovation
- Solar panels
- Constructing another building such as a garage or shed
All of these home improvements can add significant value and increase your quality of life in the home. However, if you invest in any of these items – and several others – without the proper permits in place, you could be forced to take them down. That’s a huge waste of time and money and a big headache that you can avoid by following your town’s zoning requirements.
You may be required to notify neighbors of your home improvement before breaking ground. You will have to obey property boundaries and setback lines from the roadway, public property, etc.
Speak to a knowledgeable zoning law attorney who can guide you through the process. Further, if your permit applications are turned down by the local zoning board in your town, Joel R. Spivack, Esq. will put his more than 20 years of knowledge about New Jersey zoning law to work for you.
