A Roller Coaster in Your backyard...Yikes!

Often I get calls that go something like this (dramatized for cinematic effect):

I have a buyer that wants to buy my property, but only if he can build a roller coaster instead of a house.

The investor rationalizes that since the neighbor has a car in the driveway that the proposed roller coaster should be approved by the county because the roller coaster has a box-like object on it with wheels and makes a loud noise just like the shiny car in the driveway. 

It doesn't quite work that way. Luckily, there are a handful of simple things that you can do to prevent this tragic event from happening in the future.

1. Verify the jurisdiction you're in. Are you in a city or unincorporated county area? It matters. The rules are different.
2. Verify the specific zone your property is in. It matters. The rules are different.
3. Research what is called the permitted use chart or allowable use chart for the uses that are permitted, conditionally permitted or prohibited.
4. Research for any HOA restrictions.
5. Research the deed for any deed restrictions.
6. Research the subdivision map itself for any map restrictions that were recorded at the time of subdivision recordation (if applicable).