Land Use, Planning & Zoning
Land development is subject to a complex array of federal, state and local regulatory requirements and intense government scrutiny. Understanding the interplay of the various development, planning and zoning laws — and assuring compliance with all applicable rules — requires deep regulatory knowledge, legal skill and experience.
Comprised of attorneys from all relevant practice areas, including our Environmental Law and Natural Resources Litigation, Municipal Law, Public Finance, and Telecommunications practices, among others, Best Best & Krieger LLP’s multi-disciplinary Land Use, Planning & Zoning team provides comprehensive, cost-efficient guidance. We advise on issues including public-private partnerships; commercial, industrial and residential, in-fill and mixed-use developments; infrastructure/project finance; open-space acquisitions; habitat preservation and conservation easements; and compliance with CEQA, NEPA and other regulatory requirements.
Representing cities, public agencies, private developers and landowners, we establish, oversee and serve as project management leaders for large projects, assuring that the many, varied and complicated issues are addressed by the most qualified, highly experienced attorneys. In that capacity, we advise clients regarding the practical consequences of their decisions and assist them in arriving at the best solutions to meet their goals.
Comprehensive Service
BB&K Land Use, Planning & Zoning attorneys advise on land acquisition, development, regulation and implementation of general and specific plans and plan amendments, zone changes, subdivisions, conditional use permits, variances and other planning entitlements. We also regularly review zoning ordinances, specific plan documents and CEQA documents for our city clients and their boards and commissions, as well as assist clients with legal review of other specialized land use and entitlement matters, including:
- Housing Accountability and Crisis Acts, Density Bonus Law, and SB 35 compliance and implementation
- California Mitigation Fee Act (AB 1600) compliance, including rules regarding impact fees, dedications, conditions and exactions
- Development agreements
- Subdivision Map Act compliance
- Permit Streamlining Act requirements
- California Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) compliance
- Sign regulations and billboard agreements
- Growth control
- Adult use regulations
- Historic preservation, design review and architectural regulation
- Vested rights
- Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000
- Surface Mining & Reclamation Act compliance
- Surplus Lands Act
Additionally, we represent clients in land use, permitting, zoning and environmental litigation, as well as assert and defend our clients’ interests before regulatory bodies.
Press Releases Jul 26, 2022
BB&K Attorneys Named to 2022 Northern and Southern California Super Lawyers Lists
Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Honorees Selected for Achievements in Real Estate, Land Use, Employment, Litigation, Government Affairs and More
Legal Alerts Jul 20, 2022
California Legislature Grants Housing Element Compliance Extensions
California Cities and Homeless Efforts to Benefit From SB 197
Press Releases May 18, 2022
Lauren Langer Recognized as Top L.A. Attorney
Los Angeles Business Journal Honors Standout Legal Talent
Event Apr 06, 2022
Bureau of Indian Affairs' New Right-of-Way Regulations
BB&K’s Ellen Grover and Josh Newton Present Lorman Education Services Webinar
BB&K In the News Feb 05, 2022
BB&K Attorney Featured in Year-End Hobbies Article
Daily Journal Article Highlights Anne Branham’s Reading Goals and Achievements
Legal Alerts Feb 03, 2022
In With the New – Part Three
BB&K's New Law Guidance for a Happy New Year
Press Releases Jan 25, 2022
BB&K Attorneys Selected to 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers List
Partner Caroline Djang Named to Three Top Super Lawyers Lists
Event Jan 21, 2022
36th Annual Land Use Law & Planning Conference
BB&K's Alisha Winterswyk and Todd Leishman to Discuss New Statutory and Case Law at Event
Legal Alerts Jan 19, 2022
In With the New – Part One
BB&K's New Law Guidance for a Happy New Year
Press Releases Jan 06, 2022
Best Best & Krieger Promotes Six Attorneys to Partner
Additional 2022 Leadership Updates Involving Managing Partner and Executive Committee
Event Nov 18, 2021
2021 California Land Use Law & Policy Conference
BB&K's Lauren Langer and Todd Leishman to Discuss Affordable Housing at Virtual Event
Press Releases Nov 04, 2021
BB&K’s 2022 Best Law Firms Rankings Include New National Tier 1 Recognition
Numerous Other Gains in 12th Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® Rankings
Press Releases Nov 02, 2021
Two BB&K Partners Again Recognized as Coachella Valley Top Lawyers
Robert Hargreaves and Henry Welles Named to Palm Springs Life Magazine’s 2021 Top Lawyers List
Legal Alerts Sep 09, 2021
SB 9: It’s Not a Duplex Bill, It’s a Fourplex Bill!
Bill to Allow Lot Splits and Two-Unit Projects By-Right in Single-Family Zones Passes in Legislature and Awaits Governor Approval
Press Releases Aug 30, 2021
BB&K’s Brian Byun Appointed to ABA Division Council
Named to New Role at ABA Annual Meeting
Press Releases Aug 19, 2021
32 BB&K Attorneys Recognized on The Best Lawyers in America List for 2022
3 Named “Lawyer of the Year” and 4 Included on “Ones to Watch” List
Press Releases Jul 28, 2021
Partner Amy Hoyt Selected for Leadership Riverside Class of 2022
Graduates of Leadership Riverside go on to advocate for betterment of Riverside
Authored Articles & Publications Jul 08, 2021
Real Estate Acquisitions for Public Agencies: Do Your Homework!
Thorough, Fact-finding Due Diligence Mitigates Risks, Writes Real Estate Attorney Nancy Park in PublicCEO
Press Releases Jul 07, 2021
Seven BB&K Attorneys Named 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers
Attorneys Honored by Legal Industry
Press Releases Jun 08, 2021
BB&K Attorneys Return to Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
Megan Garibaldi, Ryan Guiboa and Jennifer Misetich on 2021 List
Authored Articles & Publications May 26, 2021
Planning, Zoning and Development Legal Update
A Q&A With BB&K Of Counsel Todd Leishman and Partner Alisha Winterswyk
Press Releases May 18, 2021
Municipal Law Attorney Frank Splendorio Joins BB&K
Of Counsel Has Robust City Attorney and Public Agency Law Experience
Press Releases Jan 26, 2021
Six BB&K Attorneys Make Southern California Super Lawyers List
BB&K Attorneys Spanning Across Los Angeles and Irvine Receive 2021 Honor
Event Jan 08, 2021
Planning, Zoning and Development Law: What's New from California's Judicial and Legislative Branches
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program's 35th Annual Land Use Law & Planning Conference
Legal Alerts Jan 06, 2021
Housing and Environmental New Laws
Part 2: New Laws Impacting California Public Agencies for 2021
Authored Articles & Publications Dec 28, 2020
Partner John Brown Receives James H. Krieger Meritorious Award
Riverside Lawyer Magazine Feature on Brown, the Krieger Meritorious Service Award Winner
Legal Alerts Dec 14, 2020
New Tribal Consultation Process for Multi-Family Housing
California’s AB 168 Adds Requirements to Approval Process
Press Releases Dec 02, 2020
BB&K Partners Named Coachella Valley Top Lawyers for 2020
Palm Springs Life Magazine Recognizes Henry Welles and Robert Hargreaves
Event Nov 20, 2020
California Land Use Law & Policy Conference 2020
Argent Communications Group
Press Releases Nov 05, 2020
BB&K’s 2021 Best Law Firms Rankings Include New Tier 1 Recognitions
Annual U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers List
Press Releases Sep 15, 2020
D.C. Litigator Lisa A. Bell Joins BB&K Labor & Employment Practice
Former Senior Counsel and Trial Attorney in the D.C. AG's Office
Press Releases Aug 20, 2020
36 BB&K Attorneys Recognized on The Best Lawyers in America List for 2021
Three Named “Lawyers of the Year” and One Included on “Ones to Watch” List
Press Releases Aug 11, 2020
BB&K Attorneys Named to 2020 Top Lawyers in Sacramento List
Sacramento Magazine Annual List Based on Peer Votes
Press Releases Jul 10, 2020
Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2020
BB&K Attorneys Honored by Legal Industry
Press Releases Jun 11, 2020
Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2020 Includes Two BB&K Attorneys
Partner Megan Garibaldi and Associate Ryan Guiboa Return to Prestigious List
Event May 26, 2020
Development and Land Use in the Age of COVID-19 Webinar
Continuing Education of the Bar
BB&K In the News Apr 29, 2020
Partner Michael Maurer Discusses Virtual Planning Meetings During COVID-19
California Planning & Development Report Covers Open Meeting Law Changes
BB&K Webinar Feb 20, 2020
SGMA and Groundwater Rights: To Adjudicate or Not to Adjudicate
BB&K Free Webinar
Authored Articles & Publications Feb 13, 2020
PublicCEO: BB&K Municipal Law Team Discusses New Public Agency Laws - Part 2
Land Use, Telecommunications, Environmental and More
Legal Alerts Feb 03, 2020
Senate Bill 50 Dies in the Senate: Now What?
The “4-Plex Bill” Meant to Address the Housing Crisis Couldn’t Muster Enough Support
Event Jan 24, 2020
34th Annual Land Use Law & Planning Conference
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program
Press Releases Jan 17, 2020
Southern California Super Lawyers 2020
Nine BB&K Attorneys Earn Recognition
Legal Alerts Jan 08, 2020
New Housing & Land Use, Local Government and Public Contracting Laws
Part 2: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020
Press Releases Nov 19, 2019
BB&K Real Estate Partner Nancy Park Named ULI Sacramento Member Achiever
Award Recognizes Leadership
Press Releases Nov 01, 2019
BB&K Achieves High Marks in “Best Law Firms” Rankings for 2020
U.S. News-Best Lawyers in America Annual List Recognizes Many of the Firm’s Premier Practice Areas
Legal Alerts Oct 17, 2019
Housing Density Bonus and Reporting Changes for Local Agencies
Part 6: New California Housing Laws
Legal Alerts Oct 14, 2019
Omnibus Housing Bill Adds Teeth to Housing Element Law Enforcement
Part 1: New California Housing Laws
Legal Alerts Aug 20, 2019
California Supreme Court Clarifies CEQA’s Most Fundamental Question: What is a “Project?”
Union of Medical Marijuana Patients, Inc. v. City of San Diego
Press Releases Aug 15, 2019
The Best Lawyers Recognizes 31 BB&K Attorneys on 2020 List
Including Seven Named as “Lawyer of the Year”
Press Releases Jul 02, 2019
BB&K on 2019 Nor. Cal. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Annual List Acknowledges Attorneys for Professional Achievements
Press Releases Jun 11, 2019
Two BB&K Partners Named Coachella Valley Top Lawyers
Henry Welles and Robert Hargreaves Selected by Palm Springs Life Magazine
Press Releases Jun 06, 2019
Two BB&K Municipal Law Attorneys on So Cal Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
Partner Megan Garibaldi and Associate Ryan Guiboa
BB&K In the News May 28, 2019
BB&K’s Joe Coomes an Urban Land Institute Sacramento Legacy Series Guest
Sacramento Business Journal Promotes Program
BB&K In the News May 02, 2019
FCC Actions Impacting the Public Right of Way
Listen to Partner Gail Karish’s National Planning Conference Presentation in a GovLove Podcast
Authored Articles & Publications Apr 30, 2019
"California Water," Third Edition
Eric Garner’s Updates to Text on Historical, Legal and Policy Issues Affecting California Water Use
Press Releases Apr 24, 2019
BB&K’s Christi Hogin and Andre Monette Honored for Amicus Work by IMLA
The Attorneys Argued About Short-Term Rentals and the Clean Water Act in the Ninth Circuit
Press Releases Apr 02, 2019
BB&K a Top Litigation Firm in Sacramento
Sacramento Business Journal Also Gives High Rank for Women Attorney Numbers
BB&K In the News Mar 13, 2019
Ban on Commercial Cannabis Licenses Lifted
San Bernardino Sun Reports on BB&K’s Successful Defense of City
BB&K In the News Mar 11, 2019
Construction Traffic Plan MOU
BB&K Attorneys Acknowledged for Contribution in the Hermosa Beach Patch
Legal Alerts Feb 20, 2019
Drones: A Legal and Regulatory Update
Operations Over People and at Night Among Issues Addressed in Latest FAA Proposed Rules
Legal Alerts Jan 15, 2019
Comprehensive Update to the State CEQA Guidelines
Approved by California Natural Resources Agency
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Legal Alerts Jan 10, 2019
New Year, New Laws Impacting Public Agencies in California – Part II
Housing and Land Use and Environmental Laws Saw Changes in 2019
Press Releases Nov 02, 2018
BB&K Proud to be Among the Best
U.S. News-Best Lawyers 2019 Rankings Released
Authored Articles & Publications Oct 16, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court Declines Review of Inclusionary Zoning Case
Partner Gregg Kettles Discusses West Hollywood’s Ordinance in the California Lawyers Association’s Real Property Journal
Press Releases Oct 04, 2018
BB&K Partner Seth Merewitz Named a Top 100 Attorney
Daily Journal Recognizes California’s Best
Press Releases Sep 26, 2018
Attorney Albert Maldonado Elected to Two Boards
Municipal Law Attorney to Serve Educational Organizations
Legal Alerts Sep 19, 2018
Statutory Development Agreements Cannot be Passed by Initiative
California Appellate Court Gives Cities Less Flexibility
Legal Alerts Aug 27, 2018
Court Upholds Approval of Superstore Zoning Ordinance
California Appellate Court Supports the Broad Use of CEQA Addenda
Press Releases Aug 21, 2018
Best Lawyers in America Lists 27 BB&K Attorneys for 2019
Representing a Variety of Practice Areas
Videos Aug 14, 2018
Christi Hogin Video Bio
Of Counsel
Videos Aug 14, 2018
Lauren Langer Video Bio
Partner
Videos Aug 14, 2018
Michael Jenkins Video Bio
Of Counsel
Legal Alerts Aug 14, 2018
Coming to Your Town Soon: Cannabis (Maybe)
State’s Proposed Permanent Marijuana Regulations Limit Local Authority
Videos Aug 10, 2018
Gregg Kettles Video Bio
Partner
Press Releases Aug 01, 2018
Sacramento-Area BB&K Attorneys Named to Top Lawyers List
Sacramento Magazine Recognizes Eight Attorneys Selected by Peers
Legal Alerts Jul 26, 2018
Federal Draft Infrastructure Bill Released
Aims to Provide Revenue to Repair Failing Infrastructure
BB&K In the News Jul 24, 2018
Short-Term Rentals and Regulations
Christi Hogin Discusses Cities’ Options with the San Diego Union-Tribune
Press Releases Jul 16, 2018
10 BB&K Attorneys Honored on 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers List
One Recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer Rising Star
Press Releases Jun 07, 2018
Isabel Safie and Jill Tremblay Return to 2018 So. Cal. Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
The BB&K Attorneys Acknowledged Again for Practice Achievements
BB&K In the News May 16, 2018
Profile: BB&K CEQA Attorney Amanda Daams
Riverside Lawyer Magazine Features the RCBA Barristers' Past President
Client Successes May 02, 2018
Appellate Court Rejects Challenges to Residential Development in Montebello
BB&K Defends City from CEQA, Brown Act and Planning and Zoning Law Claims
Videos Apr 24, 2018
Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment – The Complex Puzzle of Funding Our Future
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Videos Apr 24, 2018
Is the Road Forward Even a Road? Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Videos Apr 24, 2018
The Price of an Aging Infrastructure on the Environment
The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment
Legal Alerts Apr 05, 2018
Parking Impacts Warrant Only Limited Consideration under CEQA for Infill Projects in Transit Priority Areas
Court Upholds City of Covina Infill Project
Press Releases Apr 02, 2018
Jenkins & Hogin Joins Forces with Best Best & Krieger
Combination Creates Municipal Law Powerhouse Committed to Public Service
Authored Articles & Publications Mar 16, 2018
Roads of the Future Today
BB&K Attorney Gregory Rodriguez Writes on the Latest Legal and Regulatory Considerations for Autonomous Vehicles in PublicCEO
Legal Alerts Mar 15, 2018
Defining “Existing” Structures in Sea Rise Shoreline Protection
California Coastal Commission and City of San Clemente Reach LUP Agreement
Authored Articles & Publications Feb 22, 2018
Dockless Disruption: Maximizing Opportunities Through Smart Regulations
BB&K's Gregory Rodriguez and Steven DeBaun Discuss Bikeshare Issues in PublicCEO
Legal Alerts Feb 12, 2018
Federal Infrastructure Outline Released
Details Local Agencies Need are Included
Legal Alerts Jan 31, 2018
A Peek Inside the Trump Infrastructure Plan: What Local Government Agencies Should Know
The State of the Union Address and a Leaked Memo Give the Insight We’ve Been Waiting For
Press Releases Jan 25, 2018
Partner Nancy Park Installed as Lambda Alpha International Sacramento Chapter President
Land Use Professionals Organization
Legal Alerts Jan 10, 2018
2018 California Public Agency Laws – Part II
Housing and Land Use, Environment, Public Property/Public Works and Economic Development
Legal Alerts Dec 21, 2017
New California Coastal Laws for 2018
Development, Accommodations, Sea Rise and Public Access
Client Successes Nov 10, 2017
City Prevails in Home Design Dispute
City of Lafayette Represented by Partners Scott Ditfurth and Mala Subramanian
Press Releases Nov 01, 2017
Local and National Best Law Firm Recognitions from U.S. News-Best Lawyers in America
BB&K Ranked for a Variety of Areas and Practices on 2018 List
Legal Alerts Oct 16, 2017
The Governor’s Housing Package
Affordable Housing Production in California Gets a Boost from Sacramento
Authored Articles & Publications Sep 28, 2017
Town vs. Gown
How Land Use and Environmental Laws Mediate Disputes Between Universities, Colleges and Communities
Key Contacts
Related Services
- Air Quality
- Business
- California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- Comprehensive Code Enforcement
- Economic Development, Real Estate & Affordable Housing
- Eminent Domain
- Endangered Species
- Energy
- Environmental Litigation
- Hazardous Waste
- Municipal Law
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Ports
- Public Finance
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Real Estate
- Renewable Energy
- Special Districts
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water
- Water Quality
- Water Rights