Overview of Services
California land use regulation is complex, involving an array of stakeholders: the developer, the city or county, other governmental agencies, citizens, environmental groups and others. The process often involves multiple hearings before planning commissions, city councils, boards of supervisors, appeals boards, and the approving bodies of other agencies. Our attorneys draw on experience and relationships to help our clients navigate this often daunting process.
Entitlements. Hanson Bridgett’s land use attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in all phases of the California land use approval process. We represent developers, property owners, investors, financial institutions, private citizens, and governmental entities across the entire gamut of all aspects of land use regulation in California. Project compliance requires an understanding of many aspects of the required approvals, including:
- General plans, specific plans and amendments
- Zoning ordinances and amendments
- Initiatives and opposition to referenda
- CEQA and NEPA compliance
- Subdivision approvals
- Development agreements
- Design review and historic preservation
- Due diligence review in acquiring, selling, leasing, and financing real estate
Relationships. Through many years of experience, our attorneys have developed close working relationships with agency staff and public officials across the Bay Area and the expertise to forge valuable partnerships in new cities. Our firm's extensive experience representing government agencies gives us a unique perspective on the practical and political workings of government. These relationships allow us to take our knowledge of our clients' business objectives and the policy goals of the government agencies to create mutually beneficial solutions. The success of our land use attorneys is due to a keen awareness of ongoing development opportunities and political constraints, and the ability to create dialogue with community, environmental, and government leaders to identify and address key community issues.
Litigation. Litigation disputing or challenging land use approvals is a fact of life in California, not only by project opponents but also by competing developers and businesses. Hanson Bridgett attorneys have extensive experience representing developers, landowners, and governmental entities in such litigation. We have advised on and litigated cases involving large commercial and residential mixed use projects, residential projects spanning thousands of acres, hotels, subdivision claims, religious facilities, office buildings, desalination facilities, and quarry operations.
Environmental Expertise. We work with our environmental attorneys to assist clients in identifying, evaluating and resolving potential environmental issues in real property acquisitions, sales and project approvals. This includes participating in the client's due diligence by analyzing existing documents and Phase 1 Environmental Assessments, and documenting existing issues to minimize our client's risk.
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News & Resources
Which Wetlands Can the Clean Water Act Regulate? The Supreme Court Tries Settling Decades of Uncertainty
The Supreme Court significantly narrows the Army Corps and EPA’s authority to regulate wetlands, creating a regulatory void that California will fill.
Governor Newsom Unveils Legislative Package Aimed At Accelerating the Development of a Sustainable Future
California Governor Gavin Newsom introduces a legislative package and executive order to fast-track transportation and clean energy infrastructure projects, including solar, wind, battery storage, regional rail, bridge, delta conveyance, and wildfire safety projects, aiming to expedite construction timelines and reduce costs while aligning with California’s climate goals.
Appellate Court Invalidates UC Berkeley’s EIR for its Long Range Development Plan and People’s Park Student Housing Project
First District Court of Appeal invalidates environmental impact report (EIR) for UC Berkeley’s controversial student housing project at People’s Park under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for failure to properly evaluate alternatives and noise impacts from student parties.
Supreme Court Depublishes Court of Appeal Opinion Regarding Required Placement of Discussion Concerning the Application of CEQA Exemptions in Agenda Items Providing for Project Approval
It's best practice for local agencies, when taking action on projects that include a recommendation to rely on CEQA exemptions, to include, on their agenda entry for the item, a mention of the intent to rely on the exemption or exemptions.
The Builder’s Remedy: What Every Developer Should Know
The Builder's Remedy provides an opportunity for housing projects in jurisdictions that have typically placed strict regulatory limits on the size, density, or location of development.
HCD Reviews Coastal Height Limits
The California Courts of Appeal for the First District held police officers who are under investigation have no right to discovery of confidential reports and complaints before an interview or interrogation
City of Salinas' Ordinance Violates Federal Religious Land Use Protections Because it Treats Theaters and Places of Religious Assembly Differently
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that Salinas's zoning ordinance violates the "equal terms" provision of the RLUIPA
Old East Davis Decision Preserves the Deference Granted to Cities in Interpreting Subjective Standards
The Third District Court of Appeal recently reinforced the deference afforded to cities and counties in interpreting subjective design guidelines for residential development.
Army Corps Finalizes New Clean Water Act Nationwide Permits That May Benefit Infrastructure Projects
US Army Corps of Engineers finalized a rule renewing nationwide permits under the Clean Water Act for projects involving discharges of dredge or fill material to jurisdictional waters
California Department of Justice Announces Housing Strike Force
The California DOJ is preparing for increased enforcement of state housing laws, primarily focusing on local governments