Lessons From The Field: 5 Considerations When Seeking Zoning Approval

As a real estate attorney and former member of the City of Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals, I have seen transactions fail due to the parties' failure to consider and resolve zoning matters at the outset. The transaction progresses and then, suddenly, a third party, such as a lender, requires verification that the property is zoned for its intended purposes, but no one can produce it.

The easiest way to avoid this scenario is to be proactive – confirm the zoning as early as possible and promptly deal with any issues.

Occasionally, dealing with zoning issues requires appearing before a municipal body, like a board of zoning appeals or a planning commission. If your project requires that you go before a municipal body for zoning approval, consider the following prior to the hearing: