In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on regional and national planning. Considering that the actions of a municipality will have a strong impact on neighboring cities, sometimes in contradictory and contradictory ways, these planning initiatives allow the creation of a regional plan that provides a global vision and a set of rules. Because land use and zoning regulations restrict owners` rights to use their property in ways they might otherwise (and often want) to, they are sometimes controversial. In addition, the scope and limits of governments` ability to regulate land use are difficult to define precisely. The courts have held that a zoning rule is permissible if it is reasonable and not arbitrary; it is reasonably and substantially proportionate to the health, safety, comfort, morals and general welfare of the public; and whether the means employed are reasonably necessary to achieve their purpose. The executive branch (the president or governor) may direct the action of the government or administer public lands by proclamation or ordinance. For example, President Obama has designated several national monuments for preservation. In 2014, the governor of Pennsylvania issued an executive order authorizing natural gas drilling in state parks. In many jurisdictions, by-laws have established zoning grievance committees to address these issues.
These are quasi-judicial bodies that can hold hearings under oath of witnesses and whose decisions are subject to judicial review. Given the complexity of zoning law and the specialization of zoning appeal boards, a property owner challenging a zoning requirement is ill-advised to try to argue without a lawyer. Zoning is the division of a municipality into districts with different standards for use, intensity of use, and structures. Many municipal zoning codes are available online. Zoning is usually preceded by planning. Some states require zoning to be consistent with a comprehensive land use plan developed with public contributions under certain procedures. A typical plan creates space for various types of industrial, commercial, recreational or open spaces, as well as for residential uses. Districts may list conditional or special uses that are permitted if certain conditions are met. For example, a religious place of worship may be allowed in a residential area if it offers ample parking. The plan should take into account aspects such as compatibility, for example whether a house is located next to a noisy nightclub, the availability of infrastructure such as adequate fire and rescue services and the characteristics of the country itself. Land use and zoning laws include the regulation of the use and development of real estate.
The most common form of land use regulation is zoning. Zoning by-laws and restrictions are used by municipalities to control and direct the development of properties within their boundaries. Since New York City passed the first zoning ordinance in 1916, zoning regulations have been adopted by virtually every major urban area in the United States. There are many other limits on the government`s power to regulate land use, each of which can be used as a basis for challenging these regulations. Zoning ordinances must be appropriate based on all factors involved, such as the need for the municipality; the purpose of the restriction; the location, size and physical characteristics of the property; the character of the neighbourhood; and its impact on the value of the property concerned. The reason for zoning is that it promotes the well-being of the entire community in accordance with a comprehensive plan. At the federal level, environmental laws set standards that can be enforced by federal administrative agencies or by state agencies that implement state-approved state programs. State standards are sometimes stricter than federal law requires, but they are never more lenient. For example, states can establish and enforce their own programs in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA).
If not, these standards are enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which also enforces the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). All these laws are explained in more detail on the EPO website, which also contains links to relevant national laws. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) creates incentives to protect historical and cultural resources, while state and local preservation laws may actually restrict physical changes in ownership. Given the subjective nature of these factors, there is obviously plenty of room for occasional disagreements and disputes. An extremely difficult question in this area of law is how far land use regulations can go without meeting the constitutional prohibition on taking private property for public use without compensation. Today, federal, state, and local governments regulate growth and development through legal laws. However, most land controls are due to the actions of private developers and individuals. Three typical situations in which these private entities are included in the court system are: lawsuits by one neighbour against another; lawsuits by a public official against a neighbouring landowner on behalf of the public; and lawsuits involving persons who share ownership of a particular piece of land. In these situations, court decisions and the enforcement of private land use agreements can strengthen public regulation and achieve forms and levels of control that regulatory areas cannot achieve.
Easements are rights to use someone else`s property for a specific purpose. Today, easements are also used for public purposes such as the preservation of open spaces and conservation. For example, an easement could prevent someone from building on land that leaves the land open, thereby preserving an open green space for the benefit of the general public. Federal and state courts also play a role. In addition to ruling cases under laws enacted by Congress, state legislators, and local governments, courts often deal with common law lawsuits relating to land use, such as trespassing or entering someone else`s land without permission, and harassment that interferes with the owner`s use and enjoyment of the land.