Land Use / Real Estate
Spokane Land Use & Real Estate Attorney
More and more, our Spokane real estate attorneys and land use attorneys are seeing conflicts involving land use. Whether it involves an exciting new economic growth project, disruption to a thriving residential neighborhood, or someone simply wanting to build a garage on the back of their property, it is frequently necessary to seek legal assistance from a professional real estate lawyer to navigate the often complicated processes of land use issues.
Closely related to land use law is the subject of environmental law. Frequently, dealing with regulations related to land use and the environment requires addressing their overlapping aspects together. Our land use attorneys are ready to advise you on matters related to each of these important areas.
The Whipple Law Group is here to answer your land use questions. We are well versed in matters related to land use and the issues impacting people where they live.
A Spokane Real Estate Attorney from the Whipple Law Group Can Help Resolve Your Land Use Issues
- Our experienced Spokane Real Estate Attorneys can help with any issues involving real estate or property
- We can assist with all of your property development needs
- Contact us today and find out how a Spokane real estate attorney from the Whipple Law Group can help you
- Today, land use issues continue to present challenges to our clients. Call an experienced Spokane Land Use attorney at the Whipple Law Group to discuss the issues you may be facing
Understanding Washington Land Use
Property – its where we live.
- Is someone trespassing on your property?
- Do you have questions about your land deed?
- Easement issues?
- Or how you can use your real estate?
- Are you one of several people owning a piece of real estate together and wonder who will inherit your land?
The Whipple Law Group enjoys helping our clients clarify issues related to Spokane land ownership and real estate property rights.
Washington Land Use Law Deals with a Wide Range of Issues
Whether it is obtaining a permit, deciding where you can build a garage, or a trespassing neighbor, the Whipple Law Group stands ready to represent your land and property interests.
Land use and environmental law have been centerpieces of our law business since its formation. Your land use / real estate attorney can help you better understand how the law applies to your specific situation.
Land Use and zoning regulations, related to allowable uses of property, are an increasing reality for everyone. Each locality has adopted unique ordinances governing land use as well as specific procedures that must be followed when engaged in making improvements to your land. In addition, there are state and federal regulations that also govern the use of land.
Trying to navigate these often complicated rules and pathways can be a confusing and complicated process for Spokane developers and homeowners alike.
Your Whipple Law Group Spokane land use attorney is here to help you sort through this process so you may obtain the outcome you desire.
Information about Property Development from a Spokane Real Estate Attorney
Do you own real estate property that has been in the family for years? Wondering what you can do with it?
Call the Whipple Law Group to obtain an individualized real estate property report describing current market value, zoning, sub-division and build-out potential, and ownership status. Our clients need this basic information to start dreaming of what they would like to do with their property.
Your Spokane real estate attorney will work with professional developers to navigate their projects through the application, permit approval, and ground-breaking processes.
Subdivision and Zoning
Subdivision relates to the division of land into separate tracts (or parcels) so that these may be sold and built on individually. The zoning ordinance regulates what may and may be built on a specific real estate parcel depending on where it is located in the municipality.
Developers and real estate property owners, alike, reach out to our firm to discuss and arrange for the legal subdivision of their property and to ensure that their development plans conform with the zoning requirements where the property is located.
Discuss these issues with a Spokane real estate attorney as early as possible in the planning stages of a project. Discussing and addressing issues early in the process can save money and prevent problems.
Improvements
Improvements are simply the actions you wish to take with respect with your real estate. It means any buildings, infrastructure, paving, or similar actions that are designed to make your property more useable.
It is important that the property owner obtain legal advice whenever considering making any improvements to ensure that the project conforms with local zoning and building requirements.
Permits (construction, grading, conditional use, etc.)
The process of ‘improving,” or building on real estate, often involves getting permission and approval from the local government. You can achieve this by obtaining ‘permits' that authorize you to make the desired improvements.
At first glance, figuring out which permits you need and how to get them can appear difficult. Most localities are ready to help you through this process. It is advisable to involve your Spokane land use attorney early on or, even, before such discussions take place.
In many cases, your Spokane real estate attorney has previously worked with the local government representatives involved. You benefit from that pre-existing relationship.
Furthermore, your Spokane real estate attorney can assist in interpreting the terms and language used in land use decision discussions, making it quicker and easier to determine your needs and the necessary steps to fulfill them.
Setbacks, Variances, and Other Zoning Changes
Sometimes the current zoning requirements prohibit you from making the specific real estate improvements you are planning. It is important to talk to a zoning lawyer at The Whipple Law Group to find out if an alternative may be possible.
Exceptions to the real estate zoning requirements are sometimes available. You must learn how to request these requirements and be ready to make a compelling argument for them. That is what your Spokane real estate lawyer will do – explore with you and the locality the various means by which your proposed project might be accommodated.
SEPA
SEPA stands for the State Environmental Protection Act. This legislation was adopted to protect the natural and human built environments where we live. While developing and making improvements to your real estate property, you must do so in conformance with these laws. Our Spokane real estate attorneys assist clients in compliance with SEPA requirements and resisting challenges when necessary.
Home Owner Associations
Some subdivisions operate under the guidance of a Home Owner Association (“HOA”). In these cases, the HOA enforces rules related to your property through the use of covenants, or land use regulations, similar to a local government. The authority of the HOA is usually described by the deed to the impacted property.
Our real estate attorneys provide advice and guidance to HOAs and individual homeowners alike.
We assist HOAs in making sure they are operating within legal bounds, engaged in appropriate record keeping, and providing required notices. This ensures that when HOAs make decisions related to covenant enforcement, these decisions have legal support.
In addition, we are available to advise homeowners who have questions about their HOA and its activities. These often relate to the collection of dues, development regulations, enforcement rules, or how the HOA conducts its business.
Easements, Trespass, and Adverse Possession
We often advise clients experiencing real estate property boundary disputes. These may involve neighbors, the government, or the general public. Property disputes are very often extremely frustrating and can become volatile.
We attempt to resolve these issues, for the benefit of our clients, by obtaining the facts, developing a strong legal strategy, and approaching the parties to investigate whether an amicable solution is available.
When such an outcome is not available, we are ready to seek legal remedy for our clients through the courts. Often, commencing litigation can cause an intransigent adverse party to become more reasonable in terms of negotiations. If this is not the case, your real estate attorney is prepared to go the legal distance.
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