LEGAL 217 - Land Use and Zoning Law

1.0 Credits
This course introduces the laws regulating public and private real estate use and development. Zoning, the most common form of land use regulation, is covered, as well as other land use topics, including eminent domain, regulatory takings, historic preservation, growth management, open space preservation, redevelopment, inclusionary housing, and environmental regulations.
Course-level Learning Objectives (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Describe the basic concepts and key terms relevant to land use law.
Compare and contrast the rights and concerns of the key actors in land use regulation: landowners, developers, neighbors, governments (mostly local), environmentalists, and preservationists.
Explain the breadth and depth of the government’s police power and the limitations of the police power through takings and eminent domain.
Demonstrate an understanding of the environmental, social, political, cultural, and economic impacts of land use laws, including their impact on disadvantaged communities directly and indirectly.
Apply the principles of land use law to fact patterns to effectively spot issues and discuss how the law applies to a given set of facts.

Course Typically Offered
Winter, Spring