Zoning Laws, Commercial Property, & You
A largely known fact about Houston, TX, is that there are no zoning laws.
Well, that seems simple enough. Just build whatever you wish wherever you wish and be done with it.
While zoning laws are non-existent, there are many codes and local ordinances that help keep things in order.
Except things aren’t quite that simple, and there’s a reason you don’t see a chemical refinery in the heart of the Heights or that your neighbors likely don’t have a business running out of their home that disrupts your neighborhood.
This is a huge, beautiful place to live and to work, but with the large area Houston covers and population it holds, that brings with it a slew of complications and exceptions. Let’s take a look at some of the zoning restrictions businesses may face when building or leasing around Houston.
Deed Restrictions and Commercial Property
Your goals as you decide to build may come to a grinding halt should deed restrictions get in the way.
Deed restrictions are a set of things that cannot occur at a particular property.
They can restrict the type of activity that occurs within a specific area despite it being your property.
This can affect your business if critical business functions are prohibited.
Due diligence and a keen partner are key to ensuring the commercial property you purchase or lease are without such restrictions so that your business may function properly.
Deed restrictions can also show up in particular sections of the city such, as The Heights, and dictate how things must be built in addition to their function.
How Homeowner Associations Affect Your Business
Similar to deed restrictions, Homeowner Associations (HOAs) can have a significant say in whether or not your business can build in a particular area or exist at all.
While deed restrictions usually deal with section within a city, HOAs help govern individual subdivisions.
Residents of HOAs create restrictions and enforce them upon those who reside within a neighborhood and may not allow individual businesses to either function in commercial spaces or even residential.
There are millions of people living in this wonderful city, and that means there are a ton of neighborhoods. Many neighborhoods have their own unique set of HOA regulations and rules.
Before you decide to start a business in one of them, be sure to research what is and isn’t allowed or risk the loss of time, money, and sanity that can come when you are forced to shut down shop.
Oddities That may Affect Your Commercial Development
Restrictions may not be printed as an actual law, but as you can see, some rules still need to be followed.
But just as important as the things you cannot do, it’s important to realize some things are required for your commercial real estate property.
A prime example among others is that commercial real estate must have parking that is independent of the street in Houston, TX.
Are you thinking of selling alcohol?
State law is going to have a problem here should a school district request no alcohol be sold within 300-1000 ft of their campuses.
There are a lot of little complications that can cause significant problems for your development. Having a partner, you can trust to handle your commercial real estate needs can help your business spend less time caught up in bureaucracy and ease complications before they begin.
Key Realtors is Ready to Assist Your Business
Navigating through the commercial side of real estate in the Greater Houston area can be tricky, even without zoning laws.
Thankfully, the team of Key Realtors has been helping businesses achieve their goals since 2008 and have the experience to help you achieve yours.
Finding the right fit makes all the difference in the world. Contact us today to begin a partnership you can trust with the team of Realtors that have the track record to prove it.
