The complete guide to real estate zoning : how to navigate the complex and expensive maze of zoning, planning, environmental, and land-use laws

The only consumer's guide to making sense of land-use laws and regulations Many property owners have no idea what their rights are when it comes to altering their properties, or protecting themselves from encroachment by developers and the misguided building and renovation plans of neighbors. Written by a leading national expert on land-use law, The Complete Guide to Zoning tells home owners, developers, and investors nationwide everything you need to know about getting approvals and protecting your property rights. In plain English, Dwight Merriam explains how to: Get fast approvals for building and renovation plans Obtain building permits and variances Fight development projects Use land-use laws to protect and increase property values Identify and work around laws that limit building and renovation plans Deal with environmental-protection laws

How to Use Zoning Laws to Get the Most Out of Your Property

You need to get more out of your land, but don't know where to start. You have neighbors who are misusing their property and damaging the value of yours. You can simply live with it . . . or learn your rights from the nation's leading zoning lawyer.

Whether you're a home owner, investor, or developer, The Complete Guide to Real Estate Zoning gives you a clear understanding of the sometimes complex zoning laws that apply to your property. In this plain-English guide, zoning wizard Dwight Merriam gives you the tools to not only prevent property depreciation, but add to its worth with improvements and renovations. You'll learn how to maximize your land's value by:

• Quickly obtaining permits and variances for projects
• Fighting developments that diminish your property's value
• Understanding laws that limit you—and working around them
• Dealing with environmental protection restrictions

"Every planner, property owner, and developer should read this book—it passes on the knowledge of a lifetime's work by the country's acknowledged master of zoning practice." -Richard Codd, former President of the 34,000-member American Planning Association and Manager of The Teleport, the Port Authority of NY and NJ

"I taught Dwight land use law at Yale Law School twenty-six years ago, and it looks like he's learned a few things since. [This book] is comprehensive, well organized, and well written." -Quintin Johnstone, Professor, Yale Law School

Dwight Merriam is one of the leading land-use attorneys in the United States. He represents developers, local governments, landowners, and advocacy groups in land development and conservation issues.

The only consumers guide to making sense of land-use laws and regulationsMany property owners have no idea what their rights are when it comes to altering their properties, or protecting themselves from encroachment by developers and the misguided building and renovation plans of neighbors. Written by a leading national expert on land-use law, The Complete Guide to Zoning tells home owners, developers, and investors nationwide everything you need to know about getting approvals and protecting your property rights.In plain English, Dwight Merriam explains how to:Get fast approvals for building and renovation plans Obtain building permits and variances Fight development projects Use land-use laws to protect and increase property values Identify and work around laws that limit building and renovation plans Deal with environmental-protection laws ' The importance of zoning in creating and protecting the value of real estate Zoning as part of the larger regulatory environment Ten keys to getting what you want with zoning A short course in the law Know what you have Know what you want Know how to get it Create and leverage relationships Reach out for support Preparing winning applications Know what to expect Script and orchestrate your presentation Rehearse, and then, rehearse some more Making the presentation Procedural issues and the vote After the vote : litigate, re-apply or walk away? Be imaginative Rezonings Special permits and conditional uses Site plan approvals Variances Be vigilant and don't delay Organize and marshal support Managing the hearing Finding a middle ground Long haul strategies. Many property owners have no idea what their rights are when it comes to altering their properties, or protecting themselves from encroachment by developers and the misguided building and renovation plans of neighbors. Written by a leading national expert on land-use law, The Complete Guide to Real Estate Zoning tells home owners, developers, and investors nationwide everything you need to know about getting approvals and protecting your property rights