Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Real Estate Law Blog

Real estate developers know that a wide array of issues needs to be addressed throughout the duration of a project. From permit to occupancy, there are potential obstacles that could hold up and even derail the whole endeavor.

When a business needs to expand or add a facility, time is often of the essence. However, construction and land use are tightly regulated by the state of Pennsylvania and local governments. Local governments often have very specific zoning requirements that need to be met before a real estate development or construction project can get underway. It is true that zoning and land use regulations can get in the way of a project, but these obstacles are not always insurmountable.

Horses within the Philadelphia city limits may seem odd and five horses may seem even odder, but a family on Pontiac Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia has been keeping horses in their backyard for the past 10 years. At first the couple had one horse, but now they have three ponies and two horses all living in an urban backyard. While they initially sought the approval of their neighbors before they bought the animals, their neighbors are growing increasingly frustrated with the smell. After years of complaining to officials, the couple has received two violations for failing to get variances from the zoning ordinance that prohibits a backyard stable.

Almost every construction and development project in Pennsylvania needs to go through a series of legal processes. One of the most important steps in getting a project underway involves getting approval from a governmental zoning agency.