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

Merriam, Dwight

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.