Non Conforming Zoning Use Permit ($5,000) Bond - Lake County, FL in Florida

Brief Summary

A nonconforming use is a right you can lose. In Lake County, expanding or changing the use in a way that increases its nonconformity is the kind of step that triggers scrutiny, and the $5,000 bond is how the county secures your promise to keep the permitted use within its approved limits. Getting it placed early keeps the permit from stalling at the last step.

Lake County, Florida requires a $5,000 surety bond in connection with a Non-Conforming Zoning Use Permit. The bond is posted by the property owner or operator holding the permit and runs to Lake County as obligee, guaranteeing that the nonconforming use is carried on under the conditions the county approves.

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How to Apply for a Non Conforming Zoning Use Permit ($5,000) Bond:

• Confirm with Lake County Planning and Zoning that your permit requires the $5,000 bond.
• Ask the county for its bond form and obligee wording.
• Have the property owner's or operator's legal name exactly as on the permit application.
• Complete the bond application and review the quoted premium.
• Pay the premium and receive the executed $5,000 bond.
• File the bond with the county as part of the permit approval.

Detailed Information About the Florida Non Conforming Zoning Use Permit ($5,000) Bond:

What a nonconforming use is

A nonconforming use is one that was lawfully established but no longer fits the zoning that now applies to the property. Counties generally let these uses continue, but they limit how far they can grow or change. In Lake County, the rules for nonconforming development and uses sit in the county's Land Development Regulations, and expanding, enlarging or altering a use in a way that increases its nonconformity is treated very differently from simply continuing it.

What the $5,000 bond guarantees

The bond backs the permit holder's promise to Lake County that the nonconforming use will be operated within the conditions attached to the permit. If the holder breaks those conditions and the county incurs cost to correct the violation, the county can claim against the bond up to $5,000. The surety pays a valid claim and then looks to the permit holder for repayment.

Who posts it

The bond is posted by the owner or operator applying for the permit, with Lake County, Florida named as obligee.

Before the bond is issued

Lake County has not published the bond form for this permit online. Contact Lake County Planning and Zoning to confirm the current bond form, the exact obligee wording, whether the bond must stay in force for the life of the use or a set term, and where it is filed. Having those answers before the bond is signed avoids a rider or reissue later.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Florida Non Conforming Zoning Use Permit ($5,000) Bond:

• Lake County, Florida named as obligee.
• Bond amount of $5,000.
• Principal name matching the permit application exactly.
• Surety authorized to write bonds in Florida.
• Credit review of the owner or principals.

Florida Non Conforming Zoning Use Permit ($5,000) Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Florida Non Conforming Zoning Use Permit ($5,000) Bond: