Practice Areas - We have significant experience in the following areas
  • Climate Change – AB 32 compliance and monitoring
  • Sustainable Communities Strategies – SB 375
  • General Plans – preparation and amendment
  • Specific Plans
  • Zoning Ordinances
  • Development Agreements
  • Entitlements Strategies for Applicants or Agencies
  • Environmental Review Strategies for Applicants or Agencies
  • CEQA Compliance
  • CEQA Streamlining
  • Impact or Developer Fees
  • Local Government Law (City and County)
  • Election Law – Voting Rights, Initiative & Referendum
  • Transfer of Development Rights Programs
  • Surface Mining and Reclamation Act
  • Conditional Use Permits
  • Variances
  • Reimbursement Agreements
  • Flood Control
  • Wetlands
  • Special Status Species
  • Permit Streamlining Act
  • Conservation Easements/Williamson Act
  • Special Counsel for Land Use/Environmental Review for Local Agencies
  • Litigation Avoidance Strategies
  • Development Economics Public Education & Consulting
  • Public Participation Programs
  • Wireless Communications (Cell Sites and Systems)

 

  • Land Use & Environmental Litigation
    • Administrative Writs of Mandate – Prosecution and Defense
    • Writs of Mandate
    • Appeals
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Real Estate
    • Purchase & Sale Agreements
    • Leases
    • Options
    • Finance – Opinion Letters for Borrowers
    • Easements
    • Boundary Disputes
    • Partition Agreements and Litigation
  • Education and Training Services
    • Land Use Law
    • Environmental Law & CEQA
    • CEQA Streamlining
    • Climate Change – Greenhouse Gas Reduction
    • Sustainable Communities Strategies
    • Ethics in Land Use, Environmental & Real Estate Matters
    • Development Economics
    • Flood Control Regulation & Planning Issues
    • Water Rights & Water Quality
  • Business Entity Formation
  • Sub-S Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Common Interest Developments
    • Drafting of CC&Rs
    • Condo Conversion
    • Department of Real Estate Compliance
 

Land Use

and Use Regulation in California encompasses General and Specific Plan Adoption and Amendments, Zoning Ordinances, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Subdivision Maps, Development Agreements, Mitigation Fee Act Compliance, Reimbursement Agreements, Annexations and special district formation through local government proceedings as well as voter initiative and referendum. Specialized processes frequently come into play in different areas of the state or when particular issues are involved. such as the Coastal Zone, Lake Tahoe region, Bay-Delta area, surface mining, air and water quality regulation, habitat protection, airports, fire safety, flood control.

Comprehensive knowledge, technical proficiency and political sensitivity are all critical to success.

 

Joel Ellinwood is a member of the following professional organizations:

AICP Logo
The American Institute of Certified Planners

The American Planning Association

APA Logo
APA-CA Logo
California Chapter of the APA

United States Green Building Council

USGBC Member Logo

LEED=AP Logo

Green Building Certification Institute
Urban Land Institute Sacramento District Council
ULI Logo

RPL Section Logo