Zoning is of great concern to everyone interested in Intentional Communities. Zoning regulations are imposed by a locality, usually a city, and control a wide range of land-use issues, including:
- Minimum Lot Size
- Buildings Per Lot
- Minimum distance Between Buildings
- Minimum distance from Street
- Families Per Building
- Definition of a Family
- Number and type of animals permitted
Living in violation of zoning is risky - keeping a low profile will only work for so long. A single complaint from a disgruntled neighbor can lead to a $1000 per day fine or even a 30 day eviction notice. The time to settle zoning issues is before the community is established.
Changing zoning can be a lengthy and expensive process. A land-use attourney is often required, and a six month process is not uncommon, leading to an extra up-front $10,000 expense, and the zoning board might still say 'No'.