Advanced Introduction to U.S. Land Use Law

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This incisive and approachable book presents an overview of land use law and policy in the United States. Stephen R. Miller examines the legal processes that empower and restrict professional urban planning practice, through a narrative that brings together classic cases, innovative codes, and constitutional law.



Key land use planning tools, decision making processes and power structures are highlighted in chapters that stress both new alternatives as well as legal limitations. The book also outlines common constitutional claims in land use law while exploring solutions to many of urban planning’s most challenging problems.



Key Features:







Explores all three legal systems for land use control in the USA: common law, private agreements, such as restrictive covenants, and public regulation, such as zoning


Analyzes traditional zoning and its alternatives, as well as tens of related concepts such as comprehensive plans, subdivisions, and impact fees


Presents new solutions to challenging problems like affordable housing, climate change, environmental justice, and universal design within statutory and constitutional limitations



Informative and engaging, the Advanced Introduction to U.S. Land Use Law is a necessary resource for students and academics in law, urban planning, and environmental studies. It will also benefit city council members, local government staff, architects, and environmental consultants involved in planning and zoning matters.