Zoning Basics for Landlords

Zoning laws are a major hurdle for many landlords. Laws can vary widely from city to city and may or may not be consistently enforced.

Zoning laws exist to limit certain types of property to

specific areas of a city. For example, a power plant should not be located in a residential area, and a commercial area should generally not contain residential dwellings. Zoning laws help residents and property owners coexist peacefully, and they can help limit disturbance and nuisance calls.

Landlords and investors looking for rental properties must be especially careful not to fall afoul of zoning laws. Zoning laws can change over time, too, which means a rental property that is completely legal today may not stay that way in perpetuity.

Owners of large apartment complexes are more vulnerable to the vagaries of zoning laws. If you have a large, multi-unit complex, and there are frequent visitors, neighbors may file complaints with the local zoning commission. The behavior of your tenants can also invite zoning complaints, especially if your tenants run businesses from your rental property.