Well, I need help circumventing the local government. Need some legal advice

So, I live in a very high tourism area and the local government is a thorn in the side.

They make attempts to stop people from creating more business in the area, including even renting their own house as a vacation rental.

My cousins actually had to sue the locals to be able to expand their business - The town board all own businesses themselves, and they don't want competition.

I'm wondering if I could reference the outcome of that lawsuit and be able to possibly start a business myself on this premise, or would have to possibly file another lawsuit? ( which I really don't want to do ) Or if anyone knows any clauses or laws that help a person be able to do as they please with their own property - or are we really at the mercy of the stick-up-their-asses local board who wants to thwart the competition through Bureaucracy?

Mainly I either want to build some cabins to rent out, or buy/build a house to rent out. I believe this to be my best bet at supporting my family, as we live in an area in which a huge amount of the money comes from tourism.

a reply to: deadlyhope
Since laws vary from country to country, it might help if you were more specific about the area.

a reply to: deadlyhope

I don't know much about your specific situation, but a good attorney will do a consult, then get your wallet out.

a reply to: DISRAELI

USA - State Of Utah.

a reply to: deadlyhope

Generally if you build without proper permits, they'll make you tear it down.

a reply to: seasonal

So, that work has already been done, kinda.

My cousins sued them to be able to build more cabins - I'm wondering if that lawsuit could be referenced and used against them, or if a whole new case is likely to be required? ( I don't know anything about legal matters )

a reply to: snowspirit

Right, I'm not intending to build without any permits - Just wondering if there's a way to not deal with their pompous crap.

Like going straight to the county, or referencing previous lawsuits where people had to sue to be able to do something very reasonable, but the town board was against it because it was competition for them.

There is good points to the people running the town protecting existing businesses. Here, all the little businesses that employed lots of people are disappearing and just big box stores supply the stuff. Lots of jobs were lost by this transition, jobs that paid better than the places like Lowes and Menard's chain stores. Walmart also caused a lot of supermarkets and businesses to close. That reduced jobs overall in the area.

Talk to these people about starting a business there, come up with a prospectus showing that demand exceeds what is available and try to show them you do not want to directly compete with them and put them out of business.

Explain that maybe having more businesses there might help to stop the people from spending money on line where the money all leaves the area. Use rationality, these people want more like them but do not want a business driving them to close their business either.

If they start leaving people start businesses, they cannot stop big chain stores from coming in and closing down the established businesses. That happened here with Gander Mountain, they caused lots of sporting stores to close and now they are going bankrupt. So now the old stores who had good buying power because of their longlivity and the fact that their business was paid off are gone, new stores coming into the area will be more expensive.

a reply to: deadlyhope

Have you tried asking nicely for the zoning changes or permits?

a reply to: rickymouse

That's not the issue here.

Most of the people on the town boards own hotels, cabins, etc.

That's all I want to do. Build something likely smaller than them.

We had a record setting year last year, and the year before that.

Plenty of people coming this way and willing to spend lots of money, they ( town board ) just seem to have a stick up their asses.

They won't even let people rent their private home out to tourists anymore ( well, won't allow people that didn't before, to get a permit or whatever to do so. )

To me it's just a conflict of interest - They are getting all uncomfortable with a little "competition" even though there's plenty of the market to be shared. I guess I could ask the exact reasoning, but people are very commonly self-involved and care about themselves and family more than others - It's human nature, the same could be said for me.

From my own personal experience it's better to play ball than to try and circumvent the local government. It's been four years since the business I work at opened. To this day the local government is still giving us problems because we tried to go around them. It may seem like a pain now but it will ultimately save you a lot of time and money in the future.

a reply to: BlueAjah

I have not - I actually don't own land there yet, I want to, though.

But it seems a bad investment idea to buy first, ask later...

And it seems like a very likely "No" to ask first, buy later...

Based on the experience of my cousins, who simply wanted to expand an existing business ( 13 cabins turn into 20 )

a reply to: Xcalibur254

I suppose I could just go to them and ask, and see what happens as a result, rather than assume ahead of time what will happen - Just the ordinances and things they've done lately paint a picture that they simply don't want competition - The city has the resources, and the area has the market.

a reply to: deadlyhope

That sounds like a good idea.

Don't jump to conclusions based on what other people are telling you. You never know if their point of view is skewed.

a reply to: deadlyhope

If this is worth doing, do it right.

If it takes $1,000 in legal fees pay it. Sounds like your local gov needs some new leadership.

originally posted by: deadlyhope
a reply to: DISRAELI

USA - State Of Utah.

What have You promised to "Tithe"? How does Your amount compare to those who already own businesses/who already kick-into the Church™/Ward™ fund?

Eventually you are going to have to deal with the local establishment to promote any type of business.

If the atmosphere is like you describe; your only recourse is to let a high powered lawyer put the fear of a lawsuit right from the get go.

Get a lawyer, and don't take advice from anonymous posters on a website.

Play by their rules, and use them against them.

a reply to: deadlyhope

Yeah, my recommendation if you want to try to easy (less expensive) route first is apply for the zoning/permits/business license, try to get their reasoning for the "no", then lawyer up.

Better yet though, have your business plan all laid out, then get a lawyer. Even if it's not contentious, it will help ensure you do things the right way.

Like trying a car repair you've never done before by yourself, in the end, your inexperience may end up costing you more than hiring an effort from the start would have.

Build and buy out of the City limits.

Then they got nothing...