A Land Use Attorney Can Help You With Approvals, Planning, and More

An Overview of Zoning and Land Use Laws

Zoning is the designation of permitted uses for specific pieces of land by local municipalities. The local government will designate zones of land for particular uses, whether commercial, residential, or industrial. Beyond separating these district types from one another, there are generally additional restrictions such as:

• What types of buildings may be built
• Location of utility lines
• Height and size of buildings
• Number of rooms
• Parking requirements
• Restrictions on accessory buildings

At its core, the point of zoning regulations is to separate incompatible and distinct property uses. For example, zoning may be used to keep industrial plants separate from residential neighborhoods. In essence, zoning laws are designed to maintain order and efficiency within a municipality while optimizing zones for their intended purposes.

At Dunne, Dunne & Cohen, we help companies navigate legislative and regulatory processes and provide a strong voice to advocate their position before governmental bodies.

Key Zoning and Land Use Terms to Know

There are a number of zoning and land use terms to be aware of:

• Easements – One party allows another party to use part of the land they legally possess, such as one neighbor using another neighbor’s property to access their home in a shared driveway.
• Eminent Domain – The government has the authority to take private land for public use in specific scenarios, such as the development of a new bridge or highway. The government must follow a series of steps to take the property, and the homeowner will typically be entitled to compensation for his or her loss.
• Trespassing – One person enters another person’s land without the legal right or permission to do so. This may be considered a crime in some cases, or a tort (a civil wrong) in others.
• Zoning – Land areas are divided into zones or districts for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. Zoning laws require properties to conform to zone type.

How a Land Use Attorney Can Help You

At Dunne, Dunne & Cohen, we help companies navigate legislative and regulatory processes and provide a strong voice to advocate their position before governmental bodies. We can help you with:

• Land Use Approvals – Whether it is a permit or entitlement you need, we can represent you before county boards, city councils, and state planning commissions.
• Land Use Planning – We help ensure real estate and development projects move forward by obtaining the necessary permits and zoning approvals.
• Land Use Follow-Through – Our team can negotiate development agreements to secure the necessary entitlements and land use designations for your project.
• Land Use Disputes – We handle land use disputes ranging from municipal annexation and subdivision to development agreements and impact fees.
• Environmental Regulation – Our team can help you clear environmental hurdles that might otherwise hinder projects.
• Public Policy Advocacy – We can sway decision makers and cultivate support from the legislators and regulatory bodies that impact your projects.

Contact a New Jersey Land Use Attorney

Zoning and land use are complex matters, but the team at Dunne, Dunne & Cohen can help. To learn more about how one of our zoning attorneys can help you, schedule a consultation online or call our office nearest you.