Final answer:
Property owners looking for a variance from zoning laws should apply to the board of zoning appeals and may need legal assistance due to the complexity of the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Property owners seeking a variance to zoning regulations should apply through a specific legal process.
This involves submitting an application to the local board of zoning appeals, a quasi-judicial body tasked with handling such issues.
This board has the authority to conduct hearings that involve sworn testimony and whose decisions can be challenged in court.
Due to the complexity of zoning laws and the specialized nature of these boards, it is highly recommended that property owners seek legal assistance when contesting a zoning requirement.
Since the establishment of the first zoning ordinance in New York City in 1916, zoning has become a common form of land-use regulation across the United States.
Each municipality will have its own procedures for applying for a variance, but generally, an owner must provide a detailed declaration of the real estate involved and explain why the variance is needed.
It is essential for owners to follow the regulations and to understand that they have not only the right to own, use, and dispose of property but also the responsibility of adhering to government-imposed regulations, especially when it comes to land use.