Faculty Course Information

Webcam

Zoning and Land Use From Start to Finish

A Practical Guide to Land Use and Zoning Approvals and Issues

Division
NBI (101940)
Event Date
06/25/2026
Event Time
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
Event Planner
John Coker
Email
john.coker@nbi-sems.com
Phone
(866) 315-0265

Course Experience

You will have a national audience. Please refrain from heavily discussing local statutes, case law, or court procedures except as examples.

Program Description

A Practical Guide to Land Use and Zoning Approvals and Issues

Zoning and land use cases are diverse and numerous, and often completely unique to specific circumstances. This comprehensive guide will give you working knowledge of the regulatory framework and practical tips for approval processes. Speed up the progress and reach successful resolution to any issue that arises. Don't miss this chance to improve your land use and zoning knowledge - register today!

  • Explore constitutional limitations on government zoning actions.
  • Walk through the approval processes and get practical tips from experienced practitioners on ensuring compliance and speeding up the process.
  • Master the essential steps of obtaining and retaining conditional use permits.
  • Follow the zoning appeals process step-by-step and get specific advice for top zoning issues.
  • Guard your professional reputation with a legal ethics guide tailored to your practice.
  • Learn how short-term rentals are challenging long-standing zoning regulations and practices.

Who Should Attend

This comprehensive overview of land use and zoning law is for attorneys. Real estate developers, land use planning professionals, local government officials, real estate professionals, and paralegals may also benefit.


Course Content

  1. Land Use and Zoning Fundamentals, Case Law, and Legal Update
  2. Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendments: Proving Necessary Criteria
  3. Navigating the Land Use Approval Process
  4. Challenging/Defending the Constitutionality of Zoning and Land Use Actions
  5. Variances and Conditional Use Permits: Proving/Disproving Unique Conditions
  6. Short-Term Rentals: Navigating Airbnb and Vrbo Zoning and Land Use Issues
  7. Appealing Zoning Decisions: Local, Regional and State Considerations
  8. Ethics in Zoning and Land Use Law

Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time.
  1. Land Use and Zoning Fundamentals, Case Law, and Legal Update
    10:00 - 10:45, James S. Ettelson
    1. Land Use vs. Zoning
    2. How the Approval Process Works: A Brief Overview
    3. The Scope of Zoning Board Authority
    4. Vested Rights, Estoppel, and Moratoria
    5. Regulatory Framework: State Building Code, Comprehensive Plans, Local Ordinances, and More
    6. Current Case Law and Legislative Updates
  2. Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendments: Proving Necessary Criteria
    10:45 - 11:15, James S. Ettelson
    1. Compatibility with Surrounding Property Use
    2. Ensuring Adequate Public Services
    3. Comprehensive Plan Compatibility
    4. Proving Other Criteria
  3. Navigating the Land Use Approval Process
    11:30 - 12:15, Justin Calta
    1. Determining Where the Decision Authority Lies
    2. Aligning with Comprehensive Plans, Subdivision Regulations, etc.
    3. The Application: Complete Checklist of Information to Include
    4. The Permitting Process Walkthrough
    5. Following the Environmental Review Process
    6. Open Meeting Laws and Practical Tips
  4. Challenging/Defending the Constitutionality of Zoning and Land Use Actions
    12:15 - 1:15, John P. Slagter
    1. Takings Without Just Compensation
    2. Due Process Challenges
    3. Equal Protection Challenges
    4. Property Rights and Limitations on Police Power
  5. Variances and Conditional Use Permits: Proving/Disproving Unique Conditions
    1:45 - 2:30, Michael H. Sahn
    1. Complying with Requirements: Use vs. Area Variances
    2. Unique Circumstances or Conditions: Providing Supporting Evidence
    3. Disproving Detriments to Neighbors, the Public, etc.
    4. Navigating Conditional Use Review Process
    5. Proving/Disproving Conditions are Unreasonable
    6. Preventing and Addressing Conditional Use Violations
  6. Short-Term Rentals: Navigating Airbnb and Vrbo Zoning and Land Use Issues
    2:30 - 3:00, Victoria Britton
    1. When are Short-Term Rentals Commercial Properties?
    2. Short-Term Rental Ordinances: What Works, What Doesn't and What Leads to Lawsuits
    3. Enforcing Short-Term Rental Laws and Violations: Top Issues and Challenges
    4. Challenging Local Short-Term Rental Laws: Key Lessons From the Front Lines
    5. Apartments and Short-Term Rentals: Critical Landlord and Tenant Concerns
    6. The Short-Term Rental Industry: Current Issues and Legal Updates
  7. Appealing Zoning Decisions: Local, Regional and State Considerations
    3:15 - 4:00, F. Keith Brown
    1. The Appeals Process Step-by-Step
    2. Obtaining Judicial Review of a Local Decision
    3. Using Litigation to Resolve a Zoning Case
    4. Specific Tips for Resolving Top Zoning Issues
  8. Ethics in Zoning and Land Use Law
    4:00 - 5:00, F. Keith Brown
    1. Avoiding Legal Malpractice
    2. Conflicts of Interest
    3. Ex Parte Contacts
    4. Attorney Fees

Materials Due Date: 05/21/2026


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Victoria Britton is of counsel at Price, Meese, Shulman & D'Arminio, PC. She concentrates her practice in the areas of community association law, land use law, local government law, real estate and property law, and trial and appellate litigation. Ms. Britton represents clients in the acquisition, sale and development of commercial, industrial and residential real estate. She has represented municipal governments and land use boards across New Jersey. Ms. Britton presents applications for land use approvals for developers and applicants before local land use boards, as well as defends such applications in the courts. She is also experienced in representing municipal clients and developers regarding affordable housing matters. Ms. Britton counsels condominium and homeowners' associations on community association law matters for both residential and nonresidential properties.. She regularly lectures on areas related to land use and local government law. Ms. Britton serves as a director of the New Jersey State Bar Association Land Use Law Section and a panelist for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education. She is also an instructor and lecturer for New Jersey Planning Officials with seminars focused on New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law. Ms. Britton is a trustee of the Burlington County Bar Association, serving as a co-chair of the Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership Committee. She earner her B.A. degree from Cornell University and her J.D. degree from University of Connecticut School of Law.

F. Keith Brown is an attorney in the Shepherdsville law firm of Pike Legal Group, PLLC, where he practices in the areas of zoning, planning, land use, annexation, real estate, environmental law, administrative law, business and corporate law, land development, and wireless telecommunications. He is a past speaker on real estate related issues for various professional associations. Mr. Brown is admitted to practice in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Indiana. He earned his B.S. degree from Murray State University, his M.B.A. degree from Indiana University at Bloomington and his J.D. degree from the University of Kentucky.

Justin Calta is counsel with the firm Saiber LLC. His practice focuses on the representation of businesses and individuals in real estate and corporate transactions, with a particular emphasis on zoning, land use and re-development, commercial leasing, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate law and business counseling. Mr. Calta earned his B.A. degree from Antioch College and his J.D. degree from Rutgers School of Law. He is a member of the Metropolitan Builders and Contractors Association of New Jersey, and the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP). Mr. Calta is admitted to practice in New Jersey.

James S. Ettelson is senior counsel with the law firm of Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC, where he practices in the areas of real estate, land use and zoning, and commercial financing. Mr. Ettelson has represented a number of major commercial and residential developers, and has been involved in a diverse range of real estate litigation. He is a frequent lecturer on topics related to zoning and land use law, real estate transactions, and condominium/planned community law, and is an adjunct professor at St. Joseph's University. Mr. Ettelson is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned his B.S. degree from Pennsylvania State University and his J.D. degree from Temple University. Mr. Ettelson is a member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and American bar associations. He has also served more than four years as a member of his Township's Planning Commission, and was elected to three full terms as a Lower Merion Township Commissioner, and subsequently served as board president.

Michael H. Sahn is a co-managing member of Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC Attorneys At Law. He concentrates his practice in the areas of zoning and land use, real estate law and transactions, corporate, municipal and environmental law. Mr. Sahn also represents the firm's clients in civil litigation and appeals. He is a member of the Board of Advisors of Northwell Health System. Mr. Sahn also serves as chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Flower Hill. He is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, and currently serves as the chairman of the Bar Association’s Government Relations Committee. Previously, Mr. Sahn served as the co-chair of the Real Property Law Committee and as chairman of the Administrative Agencies Committee. He is frequently invited to lecture before professional groups in his areas of expertise. Mr. Sahn also is a regular contributor of editorial and opinion articles to Innovate Long Island. He was admitted to practice in the state of New York in 1977 and was subsequently admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in 1978, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in 1980. Mr. Sahn is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He graduated from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan with high distinction and from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, cum laude.

John P. Slagter is a partner with Tucker Ellis LLP. He practices primarily in the areas of real estate, land use and zoning, construction, eminent domain, real property tax, valuation complaints and commercial litigation. Mr. Slagter represents owners, developers, contractors and governmental entities in all facets of residential, commercial and industrial real estate, including acquisition, financing, development, leasing and disposition. He speaks on real estate and litigation related issues to various organizations and clients. Mr. Slagter earned his B.A. degree from John Carroll University and his J.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

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