Developers in St. Cloud, Florida must adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations on land use. These regulations may impact where you may be able to build within the city. They may also regulate the steps you might need to take to get permits and permission before you begin development.
Land use laws in Florida may be complicated. You may wish to get legal help understanding the regulations you may have to follow to develop a property in St. Cloud. The team at Bogin, Munns & Munns may be able to provide legal help if you call (407) 556-3994. We offer initial consultations from a St. Cloud land use lawyer to provide you with legal information at any stage of the development process if you need it.
Understand Zoning and Land Use Laws in St. Cloud
Zoning ordinances make up a significant portion of land use laws in St. Cloud. Zoning regulations determine how different pieces of land may be used. Zones throughout the city may only be used or developed in certain ways. For example, some areas may be zoned for:
- Commercial or light commercial use
- Industrial or light industrial use
- Agricultural use
- Single-family or multi-unit residential use
Additionally, other areas may be set aside for use as a school or a public park. The St. Cloud city government, including its Community Development Department, uses zoning to control the way the community develops. In many cases, the city may use zoning to try to:
- Keep retail activity in one place
- Direct the flow of traffic or remove congestion
- Correct flaws in previous development plans
- Protect local neighborhoods
Zoning regulations may impact the size of lots in an area, as well as the height of buildings or issues related to parking lots. A land use lawyer may be able to help you understand zoning issues in St. Cloud. You may also reach out to the team at Bogin, Munns & Munns if you need help getting a property in St. Cloud rezoned.
Land Use and Impact Fees in St. Cloud, Florida
Property developers in St. Cloud may have to apply for numerous permissions and permits before construction begins. You may also be required to pay a number of regulatory fees during the development process. These fees may include “impact fees.”
The government in St. Cloud can charge impact fees against new developments under Florida Senate House Bill (HB) 207, which are generally used to cover infrastructure improvements necessitated by the development. For example, developers may be charged impact fees for the construction of:
- Extra sewer or water systems
- Recreational facilities or parks
- Schools or libraries
A land use lawyer in St. Cloud may be able to help you handle issues with impact fees. Failure to properly pay these and other fees may create delays in the development of your property. You may review all the fees and approvals you need to complete property development before you begin the process by calling the team at Bogin, Munns & Munns at (407) 556-3994 for an initial consultation.
Environmental and Historical Concerns with Land Usage
Zoning concerns and fees for the impact of a development are just a few of the areas a land use lawyer in St. Cloud may be able to address. You may also need to consider the environmental impact of construction before you begin property development in Florida.
Agencies representing the federal, state, and local governments have set forth regulations tied to land use and the environment. You may need to apply for specific permits before you begin construction. Your overall construction plan may only be approved if it contains sections specifying your plans for:
- Mitigation banking
- Habitat conservation
- Limiting emissions to protect air quality
- Concerns related to water quality
- Cleanup and remediation
Environmental issues may be an especially serious concern if you are interested in developing an area classified as a “wetland.” There are special regulations in Florida regarding the protection of wetlands, based on the Warren S. Henderson Wetland Protection Act of 1984. The wetlands may only be used in specific ways, which you may be able to review with a land use lawyer in St. Cloud.
Additionally, some properties in St. Cloud have historical significance. Historically protected properties may only be changed in certain ways, and only with proper permits. Find out more about the property you are interested in developing by reaching out to the team at Bogin, Munns & Munns.
How a St. Cloud Land Use Lawyer Can Represent You
You may be able to get legal representation from Bogin, Munns & Munns on your side as you focus on property development in St. Cloud to help address:
- Public hearings
- Chamber events
- Meetings with government boards
- Discussions with commissions groups
A land use lawyer may be able to stand in for you during these in-person events. A lawyer may also work behind the scenes by helping to ensure that all permits and applications are filed on time and correctly. Adhering to the letter of the law is important when it comes to land usage, as failure to secure the correct approvals may bring your project to a halt.
Get help with comprehensive planning before you begin development in St. Cloud from Bogin, Munns & Munns. Reach out to our team to discuss permitting and development entitlements, and we may be able to help with zoning, re-zoning, and annexation issues.
The team at Bogin, Munns & Munns may be able to help if you are interested in developing residential or commercial properties. We also understand the aspects of land use law tied to developments of regional impact (DRIs) and transit-oriented developments.
Get Help from a St. Cloud Land Use Lawyer
If you do not want to handle land use issues on your own in St. Cloud, you may reach out to a land use lawyer to get assistance with your legal questions. The team at Bogin, Munns & Munns may be able to assist with developing a residential, commercial, or mixed-use property. Call us at (407) 556-3994 to get a consultation about your legal situation.
