Offit Kurman’s land use and zoning attorneys navigate the many rules and restrictions surrounding the ability to develop, defend and expand property, including zoning, site plan/development representation, subdivisions, partitions, lease issues, easement disputes and litigation surrounding appeal of local government decisions. We regularly appear before local and state legislative bodies, including zoning adjustment boards, planning commissions and city councils.
Experience Where it Counts
Our experienced land use and zoning lawyers work in various jurisdictions to help landowners and developers navigate the complex rules governing permitted uses, entitlements and variances. Some of our attorneys have credentials that give them unique insights into the development process, including planning commission service, architectural degrees, urban planning experience and other complementary backgrounds. The team has handled a wide range of matters, including:
- “By right” approvals
- Conditional and special uses
- Change in use
- Zoning code challenges
- Re-zoning
- Variances
- Historic preservation
- Permitting
- Entitlements
- Boundary line disputes
- Easements, access and use licenses
In addition, our land use and zoning attorneys collaborate with team members in our real estate, construction, business, litigation and tax practices to develop strategies that make the most of your real estate opportunities while minimizing risk, including:
- Real estate tax assessments
- Building permits
- Alcoholic beverages laws
- Leases and zoning approvals for telecommunications equipment
- Property valuations
- Eminent domain and inverse condemnation
- Entity formation for real estate holdings
Land Use Litigation
When administrative bodies fail to fulfill their approval duties, or there is a challenge to a decision, our team stands ready to take the matter to the courts. We represent clients in litigation at the local, state and federal level on issues ranging from neighbor driveway easement disputes to challenging onerous conditions of approval for a major mixed-use complex.
Types of projects
- Subdivisions and condominiums
- Residential developments
- Multifamily
- Office and commercial
- Industrial
- Mixed-use
- Restaurants and nightclubs
- Retail and shopping centers
- Hospitality
- Religious institutions
- Daycare centers
- Telecommunications
- Parking facilities
- Solar facilities
Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
Offit Kurman’s eminent domain lawyers navigate the complex issues associated with the taking of private land for public use. We have represented both public entities and private landowners in negotiations and litigation involving eminent domain and condemnation. In addition, we have represented landowners in inverse condemnation claims, which occur when a landowner asserts a monetary claim for the government’s taking of property without having been provided reasonable compensation.
