This course explores the legal foundations and practical mechanics of land use regulation in the United States. From zoning codes and subdivision ordinances to environmental review and constitutional constraints, students will examine how government entities—local, state, and federal—shape the use and development of land.
The course will address the fundamental legal tools that structure urban growth and rural conservation, including zoning, comprehensive planning, takings doctrine, and public-private development. It will also consider the growing influence of environmental sustainability, housing affordability, racial and economic equity, and climate resilience in modern land use practice.
Through a combination of doctrinal analysis and real-world application, this course prepares students to navigate the increasingly complex terrain of public regulation and private property rights.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand the legal authority and limitations of government regulation of land.
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Analyze the interaction between constitutional property rights and local land use policies.
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Interpret zoning laws, variances, and conditional use permits.
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Evaluate the impact of land use regulation on housing, environment, equity, and community design.
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Apply land use doctrines to real-world planning, permitting, and litigation scenarios.
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Engage critically with current debates surrounding smart growth, exclusionary zoning, and climate-adaptive planning.
