Obtain a Zoning Compliance Letter

1. Zoning Verification Letters are issued for informational purposes to support a real estate transaction. These letters verify the zoning district of a property and any special overlay districts. They may also provide a list of allowable uses; they may indicate whether there are open zoning violations and whether or not a specific proposed use can be permitted. If requested, with research, Zoning Verification Letters can further verify conformance or nonconformance of existing structures or uses on site, existence of variances or valid special permits, neighborhood context, additional development history.
2. The owner of any property containing a nonconforming Roominghouse/Boardinghouse, Temporary Shelter Facility, Beer/Wine/Liquor Sales, Outdoor Sales Lot, Automobile/Truck/Limousine Rental, Pawn Shop/Check Cashing Establishment, Smoking Place, Tattoo/Piercing Parlor, Vehicle Fueling & Limited Service, Vehicle Service/Car Wash, Adult Establishment, or Industrial use in a Neighborhood (N) or Neighborhood Mix (NX) district (such uses being, collectively and individually, for the purpose of this subsection, "certifiable nonconforming uses") , or an owner of property subject to 1.5.3 G. (Restoring a Nonconforming Use) or 1.5.4 G (Restoring a Nonconforming Structure), or an owner of property on which a nonconforming use is ceased for a period of 6 months pursuant to 1.5.3 H.(1), shall petition the zoning administrator for a certificate of nonconformance, which shall be required for continuation of such use, prior to applying for any new zoning permit for the subject property.

Zoning Verification Letters and Certificates of Nonconformance do not authorize the property owner to proceed with a specific development or formally establish a new use. Please visit the “Planning & Zoning Review” Service Page for more information on this.