Planning Law and Regulations

This foundational course provides a comprehensive overview of the legal framework that governs land use planning and regulation in the United States, with comparative insights into international systems. It covers the constitutional basis for planning (e.g., the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments), the legal standards for zoning and subdivision control, and the requirements for environmental and administrative review. Participants will learn how to draft legally defensible ordinances, navigate land use litigation (e.g., takings and due process), and understand the relationship between plan-making and regulatory enforcement. The course is essential for planners, attorneys, and officials who must ensure that land use decisions are legally sound and defensible.