Like many other South Florida communities, North Palm Beach County is feeling the shift from being primarily a scenic resort area, to a community which offers its residents connectivity, convenience, and mixed-use developments. With this progress and growth, available business properties can be scarce. Those seeking to establish emerging commercial interests may have to develop land, remodel existing buildings, or utilize unconventional sites. When confronted with these possibilities, it is vital to understand all zoning regulations before signing a lease or purchase contract. Here is why zoning matters for your North Palm Beach County business venture.
Each municipality has its own zoning ordinances which control how land may be developed and used. Knowing the parameters of these local regulations before getting into a building project or plan in this community is critical. For instance, you may want to open a dog-friendly café only to find out later that the municipality ordinance prohibits pet owners from bringing animals any place where food or drink is commercially dispensed or sold. Additionally, the process of getting approval to deviate from a zoning regulation or develop a property is quasi-judicial and complicated.
You may want to seek a zoning exception to do something such as selling alcohol in a location prohibited by ordinance. Further, a special exception may be necessary to include an alternative use in a specific zoning category. Obtaining these types of approvals are often essential to a proposed business plan and its success. As the business owner, you may have to go before a development review board or another local body to obtain permission. If your request is denied, you may have appellate rights.However, any appeal will hinge on the preservation of objections and the type of evidence which was presented before the decision-making body.
When considering any business project, it is vital to do your due diligence and be aware of the applicable regulations and processes which may impact its development. Your first step is meeting with an experienced Board-Certified Florida Real Estate Attorney who practices in the desired area. Your counsel will be familiar with the pertinent ordinances and can prepare the appropriate documentation and gather the evidence you need.
At Rabideau Klein, Guy Rabideau, Esq. and David E. Klein, Esq. are dedicated, Florida Board-Certified Real Estate Attorneys experienced in zoning and land use in Palm Beach County. We have the expertise and local knowledge you need to ensure that your business interests are protected when dealing with zoning regulations. Contact Rabideau Klein today to discuss your real estate legal needs.