Land Use
Certificate(s): Public Interest and Social Justice Law (List C)
Course Description:
An exploration of the legal regulation of land use and development. Considers local land use planning and controls, including comprehensive planning, zoning, subdivision controls, and planned communities. In-depth discussion of major issues in land use law, such as takings, transfers of development rights, growth management, and the environmental regulation of land use.
Class Notes:
The Land Use Law course provides a unique opportunity to study how local governments operate when they regulate the use of land through planning, zoning, subdivision regulation and other controls over the use of private and public land. Land use control strategies through nuisance law and private land use arrangements also play a role in the local land use control systems studied in this course. Primarily focusing on California law, the course will also consider constitutional issues such as takings and freedom of religion and expression that often complicate local land use controversies. Accommodating potentially conflicting interests of landowners, neighbors, community, and regional interests, such as transportation and housing, is the main focus of the land use law course. The first reading assignment will be posted on Camino. The top five students on the wait list should attend the first day. The course is graded, based on a take-home examination and class participation. Students engaged in land use law projects may also enroll in one or more additional units of independent study eligible for SAWR certification.
