Legal Topics

Downzoning Is Legal, within Limits — and It's Gaining Popularity

Downzoning involves rezoning land to a less intensive use, typically without the landowner's consent.

Constitutional Limitations

Property cannot be rezoned to a category that leaves it with no reasonable economic use.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Participate actively in planning hearings
  • Attend rezoning hearings and lobby officials
  • Make substantial expenditures toward development to “vest” the zoning
  • Commence construction quickly if threatened

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