“The story of American zoning is really the story of howAmericans learned to legislate their NIMBY (Not In My BackYard) impulses.” - The Atlantic Cities

Today, zoning is a key element of real estate due diligence. Surveys such as boundary surveys, ALTA surveys and Topographic surveys are usedfor almost all real estate deals to define property lines, and mapall existing improvements and utilities on the property. In fact,my colleague Christopher Daniels recently wrote an interesting blogon this topic, you can read it here. A zoning report is a necessary component tosecure financing, and can advise buyers and lenders whether a sitecomplies with local area requirements and if current or planneduses and developments violate zoning codes.

The Zoning Code is a complex set of laws enacted bylocal municipalities and counties in unincorporated areas. The laws make up a land use plan and stipulate where and howstructures can be built. The normal admiration of these lawsis through Zoning Boards, where individuals serve either byelection or appointment and under the Code approve applications fordevelopment and property modifications. It also will reviewapplications for variances to the Code for individual projects. The Board also may promote the creation of special use zonesto attract businesses to its area. Zoning determines what aland owner can or cannot do with his or her land. But how didthese rules come to be?