The Complete Guide to Zoning by Merriam, Dwight;

Short description:

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

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Part I. What Is Zoning and Land-Use Law?
Chapter 1. The Importance of Zoning in Creating and Protecting the Value of Real Estate
Chapter 2. Zoning as Part of the Larger Regulatory Environment
Chapter 3. Ten Keys to Getting What You Want with Zoning
Chapter 4. A Short Course in the Law
Part II. Getting Ready to Make Your Move
Chapter 5. Know What You Have
Chapter 6. Know What You Want
Chapter 7. Know How to Get It
Chapter 8. Create and Leverage Relationships
Chapter 9. Reach Out for Support
Chapter 10. Preparing Winning Applications
Part III. Putting On Your Case
Chapter 11. Know What to Expect
Chapter 12. Script and Orchestrate Your Presentation
Chapter 13. Rehearse, and Then Rehearse Some More
Chapter 14. Making the Presentation
Part IV. Posthearing Follow-Up
Chapter 15. Procedural Issues and the Vote
Chapter 16. After the Vote: Litigate, Reapply, or Walk Away?
Part V. Winning Strategies
Chapter 17. Be Imaginative
Chapter 18. Rezonings
Chapter 19. Special Permits and Conditional Uses
Chapter 20. Site Plan Approvals
Chapter 21. Variances
Part VI. Protecting Your Property Rights
Chapter 22. Be Vigilant and Don’t Delay
Chapter 23. Organize and Marshal Support
Chapter 24. Managing the Hearing
Chapter 25. Finding a Middle Ground
Chapter 26. Long-Haul Strategies
Chapter 27. Conclusions
Index