# Zoning land use analysis
> Source: https://legalcode.md/skills/legalcode-zoning-land-use-analysis | [HTML version](https://legalcode.md/skills/legalcode-zoning-land-use-analysis)

Analyze zoning and land use compliance for any property or development project.

Analyze zoning and land use compliance for any property or development project. Covers permitted use classification (by-right vs. discretionary), conditional/special use permits (CUPs/SUPs), area and use variances, nonconforming use rights (legal nonconforming status, abandonment, expansion), setback and bulk standards, subdivision regulation and platting, development agreements and vesting rights, environmental review (CEQA/NEPA), historic preservation (Section 106 NHPA, UK Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990), and exaction proportionality (Nollan/Dolan/Koontz/Sheetz). US and UK coverage: US Euclidean zoning, form-based codes, state enabling legislation, California Development Agreements (Gov. Code §§65864–65869.5), CEQA (14 CCR §§15000–15387), NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500–1508); UK Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Use Classes Order 2020 (SI 2020/757 as amended), GPDO 2015, Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, NPPF 2024, Section 106 obligations, and Community Infrastructure Levy. Use when evaluating development feasibility, checking zoning compliance before purchase, assessing variance necessity, analyzing entitlement risk, advising on project approvals, or reviewing planning conditions and obligations. Jurisdiction-aware with [JURISDICTION-SPECIFIC] markers for US states, UK nations, and other common law systems.

This skill analyzes the zoning and land use status of a property or development project. It identifies compliance issues, entitlement risks, and regulatory requirements, and produces a confidence-scored, auditable analysis with actionable recommendations. **Covers:** - Use classification analysis (zoning district, permitted vs. discretionary uses) - Conditional/Special Use Permit (CUP/SUP) requirements and standard findings - Variance analysis (area variances and use variances) - Nonconforming use rights — establishment, abandonment, expansion, amortization - Dimensional and bulk standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR, parking) - Subdivision regulation and platting requirements - Development agreements and vesting rights (including California Gov. Code §§65864–65869.5) - Environmental review — CEQA (California) and NEPA (federal nexus projects) - Historic preservation — Section 106 NHPA process and local landmark review - UK planning system — TCPA 1990, Use Classes Order 2020, GPDO 2015, Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, NPPF 2024, Section 106 obligations, CIL - Exaction constitutionality (Nollan/Dolan/Koontz/Sheetz nexus and proportionality) - Regulatory takings risk assessment (Lucas, Penn Central, Murr frameworks) **Does not:** - Draft planning applications, environmental documents, or permit submissions - Provide site-specific engineering or survey analysis - Substitute for formal zoning confirmation letters from the municipality - Apply to residential leases, agricultural water rights, or mineral ...

## Jurisdictions

Global



---
*Legalcode -- legalcode.md*