Land Use

Brown Winfield Canzoneri Abram Inc. (BWCA) was among the first firms in Southern California to specialize in land use law. To achieve our clients' goals, we bring to bear the unusual breadth of experience and unique perspectives we have gained from representing both public and private clients. Our attorneys are skilled in representing clients before Planning Commissions, City Councils and Boards of Supervisors to obtain necessary permits and entitlements. We also consult with other regulatory bodies such as the California Coastal Commission, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Department of Health Services, South Coast Air Quality Management District, and local regulatory agencies.

BWCA's land use attorneys excel in providing a wide range of services to our clients in all aspects of land use practice, including:

• Land use approvals such as general plan and zoning amendments, specific plans, conditional use permits and variances.


• Tentative tract maps, tentative parcel maps, vesting tentative tract maps, lot line adjustments and conditions of approval.


• Preparation and processing of environmental impact reports, negative declarations and other environmental documents to assure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).


• Negotiation and preparation of mitigation agreements, reimbursement agreements and subdivision improvement agreements.


• Preparation of easements, covenants, conditions and restrictions, and affordable housing covenants.


• Negotiation and preparation of development agreements and disposition and development agreements.


• Advice regarding public financing of subdivision and infrastructure improvements, along with community facilities.


• Advice regarding annexation matters, including pre-annexation agreements and LAFCO processing.


• Advice regarding land use referenda and initiatives.


• Trial and appellate litigation on all land use matters, including


• defending or challenging CEQA/NEPA approvals


• defending or challenging general plans, specific plans, zoning ordinances, development agreements and other land use permits or entitlements


• defending or challenging development fees, dedications or other "exactions"


• defending and prosecuting inverse condemnation actions resulting from direct and regulatory government actions under the California Constitution and the Federal Civil Rights Act

For our experience in representing clients in Brownfields and hazardous substance matters, see the description of our Environmental Law/Hazardous Substances practice group.

We also work closely with our Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation practice group.