What is the name of your state? South Carolina
I recently (July 2005) opened a small business in the city that I live. Since my opening, the city's zoning enforcement has been hounding me about this and that - mainly about a banner and an A-Frame sign that I put by the road (not on the sidewalk, but in the grass of the property in which I lease).
While, yes, I know I'm wrong in violating the zoning ordinance regarding signage, it seems that the woman who is in charge of enforcing these ordinances is only selectively enforcing the ordinances on businesses in which she chooses.
For instance, less then 1/4 mile up the street from my business are two businesses (they are within the city limits, and therefore, zoning ordinances should apply) that have banners hanging. One of these businesses has had their banner as the signage for their property - and has been up since before I opened for business in July 2005.
There are instances like this all across the city in which people that have been in violation before me are still in violation.
I'm wondering if I have some type of recourse, or can some way find out if she's been enforcing the ordinances on these other businesses. Would that fall under the Freedom of Information Act?
Honestly, I feel targeted and singled out and discriminated against. It seems unfair that all of these people can sit daily in violation, yet if I put my signage out just once, she contacts me the very same or very next day!
For reference, if needed, is a url for the city's zoning ordinances: http://www.cityofrockhill.com/onlineforms/FINAL Combined code 2-28-2006.pdf
Thanks for any help and advice you can give!
I recently (July 2005) opened a small business in the city that I live. Since my opening, the city's zoning enforcement has been hounding me about this and that - mainly about a banner and an A-Frame sign that I put by the road (not on the sidewalk, but in the grass of the property in which I lease).
While, yes, I know I'm wrong in violating the zoning ordinance regarding signage, it seems that the woman who is in charge of enforcing these ordinances is only selectively enforcing the ordinances on businesses in which she chooses.
For instance, less then 1/4 mile up the street from my business are two businesses (they are within the city limits, and therefore, zoning ordinances should apply) that have banners hanging. One of these businesses has had their banner as the signage for their property - and has been up since before I opened for business in July 2005.
There are instances like this all across the city in which people that have been in violation before me are still in violation.
I'm wondering if I have some type of recourse, or can some way find out if she's been enforcing the ordinances on these other businesses. Would that fall under the Freedom of Information Act?
Honestly, I feel targeted and singled out and discriminated against. It seems unfair that all of these people can sit daily in violation, yet if I put my signage out just once, she contacts me the very same or very next day!
For reference, if needed, is a url for the city's zoning ordinances: http://www.cityofrockhill.com/onlineforms/FINAL Combined code 2-28-2006.pdf
Thanks for any help and advice you can give!
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