What is Zoning and Land Development Law?

Zoning and Land Development law regulates public and private real estate use and development. Municipalities use zoning to control property development. Closely allied legal concerns include easements, trespassing, and eminent domain. If you're in Montgomery County, Bucks County, or the greater Philadelphia area, talk to a land use and zoning attorney near you in our Doylestown and Norristown, PA law offices. They can help you work with local municipalities to get the job done.

We're experts in this area. In fact, U.S. News cited our firm with a Best Law Firm ranking. We received a national ranking as a Tier 1 law firm for Land Use & Zoning Law. In addition, we picked up a second national ranking as a Tier 3 firm for Real Estate Litigation.

How Zoning Regulations Work

Zoning regulations divide a municipality into residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Zoning laws seek to retain efficiencies within the municipality and optimize zones for their intended use. For example, zoning laws prevent a shopping mall from opening across the street from a neighborhood.

Zoning laws also regulate building types within each zone and the location of utility lines, parking, and other regulations. Zoning laws, for instance, may place height restrictions on buildings within a zone. Again, a local land use and zoning attorney will know these regulations and rules.

As mentioned, other concepts associated with land use and zoning include:

  • Easement: An easement provides limited, non-ownership interest in another party's property. You might have required an easement, for example, to use a neighbor's driveway to access a property.
  • Eminent Domain: Eminent domain refers to the government's power to take private land for public use under certain circumstances. For example, the government might take someone's house to build a police station.
  • Trespassing: Trespassing refers to various offenses against a person or property. As it relates to real estate law, it means entering onto land without the owner's consent.

Depending on your issue, you should consider talking with a land use and zoning attorney specializing in this legal area. You can also speak to a real estate attorney or municipal lawyer.

The Land Use and Zoning Attorneys at Our Law Firm Can Help

We're an established and recognized real estate law firm with offices in Bucks County and Montgomery County. As a result, each land use and zoning attorney at our law offices possess an intimate knowledge of the workings of the County government and its local communities.

In addition, our land use and zoning attorneys have significant experience throughout southeastern Pennsylvania counties, including Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, and Berks. Our familiarity with local governmental bodies and other approval agencies in each of these counties enhances our ability to advocate for the needs of our real estate development clients.

Our real estate lawyers approach the land development approval process as a consensus-building effort whenever possible. We work with each municipality and its residents to support or mitigate opposition to a project during the approval process.

However, when necessary, we litigate development approval issues and our client's rights to assure that laws governing the approval process get administered and applied appropriately.

Trust our land use and zoning attorneys, real estate attorneys, and municipal lawyers to provide the legal insights and support to make your project a success. Call our real estate law offices today.

Zoning and Land Development Attorneys

David J. Brooman

David J. Brooman | Environmental Lawyer | High Swartz

David J. Brooman has more than three decades experience in environmental law, zoning and land use development, and environmental litigation.

Kevin Cornish

Kevin Cornish multi state litigation support attorney

Kevin Cornish is a litigation attorney focusing his legal practice on commercial, civil, contract, construction, and business litigation.

Mark R. Fischer Jr.

Mark Fischer | Litigator in Montgomery County PA

Mark Fischer represents businesses in breach of contract, payment collection, construction defect, & consumer protection disputes in PA and NJ.

Arnold Heller

Arnold Heller real estate attorney at high swartz in norristown pa

Real estate attorney Arnold Heller focuses on commercial real estate law, transactional law, and development law across a broad clientele.

Gilbert P. High Jr.

Gilbert P. High Jr. | municipal and estates Attorney | High Swartz Attorneys at Law

Municipal Law Attorney Gilbert P. High handles land development, zoning litigation, tree law, estate planning, easements, and rights of way.

Matthew T. Hovey

matthew t hovey montgomery county attorney at High Swartz attorneys for law

Matthew T. Hovey, Esq. is a Montgomery County municipal attorney practicing out of our Norristown law office.

William F. Kerr, Jr.

William F. Kerr, Jr. | real estate Attorney | High Swartz montgomery county pa

Real Estate Attorney William F. Kerr focuses on land use, zoning, real estate title issues, eminent domain, and real estate code compliance.

Donald Petrille, Jr.

Donald Petrille, Jr. | Business & Estates Attorney | High Swartz Attorneys at Law

As an attorney, Donald Petrille, Jr. primarily represents businesses as they wrestle with complex legal issues and individuals in estate planning matters.

Thomas D. Rees

Thomas D. Rees | labor employment Attorney | High Swartz Attorneys at Law

Labor & Employment Attorney Thomas D. Rees handles litigation and dispute resolution for businesses and schools in and around Pennsylvania.

Glen-David Schwarzschild

glen schwarzschild real estate tax attorney high swartz attorneys at law

Glen David Schwarzschild's law practice concentrates in the areas of real estate, real estate tax appeals, land use, and related matters.

Sean G. Livesey

sean livesey | montgomery county real estate attorney

Sean G. Livesey Is a Montgomery County real estate attorney primarily focusing on real estate matters, which includes zoning and land development. He also consults with local businesses on property acquisitions, leasing, and real estate tax liability.

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