Developers in California often encounter a common condition during project approvals. Before moving forward, the city requires them to sign an indemnity agreement. If someone files a lawsuit to challenge the project, the developer must defend the city and cover legal costs. At first glance, this may seem like a routine requirement. In practice, however,… Read more »
Housing developers in California often face one major obstacle before a project can move forward. Environmental review under CEQA can delay approvals, increase costs, and expose projects to legal challenges. Under AB 130 CEQA, the state has introduced changes aimed at reducing delays for certain housing projects. While the law does not eliminate environmental review,… Read more »
Developers across California often face a frustrating situation. A project complies with zoning rules, yet the city still denies approval. In many cases, the denial points to a supposed conflict with the general plan. This creates uncertainty, delays, and added costs. Zoning conflicts in California frequently arise when cities rely on broad or outdated general… Read more »
Office vacancies remain high across Los Angeles, while the demand for housing continues to grow. In response, the city has expanded its Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 2026 to make it easier to convert older commercial buildings into residential units. This shift gives property owners and developers a faster path to bring housing to market without… Read more »
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become one of California’s most important housing solutions. The new California Coastal Zone ADU rules under AB 462 aim to make it easier for property owners to build ADUs in coastal communities while still respecting coastal protection policies. For homeowners, understanding how these rules apply inside the coastal zone is essential… Read more »
California lawmakers have tightened enforcement tools against cities that block housing projects in violation of state law. For developers and property owners, that shift matters. If a city denies or conditions a housing project illegally, you now have a faster path to court and meaningful financial consequences if the city refuses to comply. Two laws… Read more »
California’s housing shortage has pushed the Legislature to change permit laws that affect property owners and developers. Two new laws taking effect in 2026 – AB 253 and AB 301 – create stricter timelines for government reviews of housing permits. These laws aim to reduce bureaucratic delays that have slowed construction and added costs to housing projects…. Read more »
Today the land use law firm of Kassouni Law filed the opening brief in an important case challenging the Plan Bay Area’s Sustainable Communities Strategy adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Kassouni Law represents Michael Shaw of Freedom Advocates, Rosa Koire, and the Post-Sustainability Institute. MTC and ABAG were… Read more »
To say that the situation in Nevada between federal officials and cattle rancher Clive Bundy has gotten out of hand would be an understatement. As of this morning, armed federal officials have seized Mr. Bundy’s cattle, forcibly arrested his son, and surrounded his ranch with armed federal agents. The Bundy’s, for their part, have assembled… Read more »
The United States Constitution provides that the government may not take your property without due process of law. In the criminal law context that usually means that you cannot be punished, or have your property taken unless the government can prove that you committed a crime. Yet, in states and cities across the country, property… Read more »
