BOULDER, CO, Apr 23, 2024—If you're in the process of designing a new home or adding an addition to your current home, you're likely aware of the term zoning: the government’s way of controlling the physical development of land and the kinds of uses to which each individual property may be put. Designed to protect you, your neighbors, and the community from undesirable, or inappropriate, land uses and/or construction, zoning laws in many communities can be very rigid and inflexible.
However, if you're building plans are thwarted by zoning rules and regulations, you may be able to acquire a zoning variance
"A variance is a request made to your local jurisdiction to deviate from current zoning requirements," explains Phil Boren, Broker Associate of RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc.. If granted, a variance will allow you to use your land in a way that is normally not permitted by the zoning ordinance, such as building your home a bit higher than allowed, or adding a shed or guest house closer to your property line.
"However," cautions Boren, "do not view a variance as something that changes the zoning law because it does not." Rather it waives a certain requirement of the zoning ordinance. For example, it may allow the owner of an odd-shaped lot to reduce slightly the setback requirements in order to accommodate a building, or permit the building of a gazebo in the back yard.
For information on zoning, remodeling or real estate, please contact RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc. at philboren@gmail.com, 303-441-5647, or RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc..
Phil Boren is a 26-year veteran real estate Broker and Realtor, specializing in consulting with buyers and sellers in Boulder, CO and along the Front Range of Northern Colorado. Held Real Estate Broker's license in Texas, California and Colorado; Managing Broker for over 200 agents and Brokers for Century 21 and RE/MAX franchises. Award-winning Realtor with experience in management, sales, marketing, relocation, appraisal, REO, BPO's, foreclosures, short sales; previously held the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. Experienced in both residential and commercial real estate and achieved the No. 14 individual ranking in the 5-state, Mt. States Region for RE/MAX International in 2001, based on sales volume. Received my BSBA in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was a 4-year starter and 4-year football letterman for Hall-of-Fame coach, Lou Holtz.