Lot question!
Hello, I had an Idea of buying an open lot or space, putting a small office on the lot then offering it for rent. Potential used car dealership.

Has anyone here done this? 
How would this work?
What are the steps involved?
[{"id": "fr2vacc", "text": "In my town, you'll first have to make sure that the lot is in a commercial zone that allows used car dealers.  And then you'll have to submit a site plan for planning board approval, where you'll have to show a layout that's consistent with setback rules and land use codes - including landscaping requirements.\n\nSo you may find the right lot at the right time, and if you're in a position to actually sell cars, you may be able to \"develop\" the lot (where even with all the requirements there may not be that much actual development required).  Then you can sell (edit: or lease) the used car lot.\n\nBut if you're looking to lease the lot, you're probably better off working with your prospective tenant to create a site plan that will work for that tenant's business.  (And why limit yourself to a tenant that happens to like your vision for the land?)", "replies": [{"id": "fr2zbq7", "text": "In my town, I noticed theres been a new used dealer popping up about every few months within a 2 mile radius. I was curious on how they zoned so many dealerships so close? Ones even on a crowded intersection.\n\nThank you for the response!", "replies": [{"id": "fr30i18", "text": "1. Most zoning (or at least our zoning) doesn't limit the number of a particular business type.  An area is either zoned for used car lots - or not.  And anyone who fills out the paperwork and follows the regs is more or less entitled to do whatever's allowed in the zone.\n2. Used car lots actually seem to do well when there's a group of them located together.  When folks go car shopping, they tend go to where the cars are, and will make multiple stops in order to find their best option.\n\nIn our town we have a limited amount of commercial space, and used car lots are considered a relatively low value use of space.  This is partially because a bunch of used cars and test drives don't make an area attractive, and also because the infrastructure, and associated taxes paid by used car lots is relatively low.", "replies": [{"id": "fr7evt2", "text": "&gt;In our town we have a limited amount of commercial space, and used car lots are considered a relatively low value use of space.\n\nIn CA they seem to be in big demand because of the sales tax collected on the sale goes to the local govt.  Cities seem to be poaching dealers from each other.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fr2vg4s", "text": "First....gotta check the zoning! Car lots are usually allowed on major highways. Check with the city or county (zoning is usually through the assessor) and check what\u2019s allowed. They will usually have requirements like lot size, building ratio, etc.\n\nOtherwise...consider the area and neighborhood. Is your use feasible? These should be good starting points.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fr30wn7", "text": "Go to city hall planning check zoning, environment impact, traffic studies, flood zone.....", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]