Compliance

There are various possible consequences of using a building (or a space within a building) in a way that is contrary to the Zoning District.  The City could force you to comply with the Ordinance through the courts.  In which case, you could be faced with high fines and the costs of obtaining legal advice. 

You could also end up faced with the cost of leasing or owning a space you can’t use for your intended purposes.  If you are leasing the space, City inspectors could evict you for non-compliance.  In addition, the landlord could also terminate your lease if you use the space in a manner that is prohibited by the lease. 

As you can see non-compliance can be costly.  Make sure that when you start looking for a space you know how a building is zoned and what activities can and cannot occur before you commit to leasing or purchasing a property.

TIP:  Before signing a lease or purchasing a space, make sure you find out which activities are permitted under the zoning designation of the prospective space.