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California Land Use

Navigating California's Complex Legal Environment

California offers great promise and great challenges to property developers. While the opportunities are tremendous, the regulation of land use is notoriously complex. Every step of the way, there are “only in California” rules and considerations that must be addressed. The Mintz team of experienced land use attorneys can guide you through this difficult terrain, providing advice on every aspect of your real estate projects in California to help you achieve your goals quickly and efficiently.

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Our Experience

Building Renewable Power Facilities in California Case Study
Mintz’s California Land Use Practice Group advises clients on land use issues related to renewable energy projects in California. We help developers comply with a broad range of requirements and work with stakeholders as they seek approvals for projects amid the state’s massive expansion of its renewable energy capacity.
Advising Clients on Litigation Considerations and Pitfalls Case Study
Mintz’s California Land Use Practice Group counsels clients on avoiding or minimizing litigation risk and expense through arbitration and other contractual provisions, insurance policies, agreements with guarantors, and cost-effective litigation strategies. We also advise developers on California-specific environmental and wage laws.
Developer Overcomes Title Challenge to Complete 2,000-Unit Village Case Study
When a neighboring landlord threatened to derail our client’s development, Mintz identified and prosecuted a creative solution that prevailed in court — bringing a much-needed housing and commercial center to the San Diego marketplace.

Our Approach

In addition to navigating the approvals process, our team has the tools to address any related issues that might arise in your project. We have deep capabilities across all areas of environmental practice, including matters involving air, water, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, traditional and renewable energy, and natural resources. Our attorneys also have unique experience with development-related labor issues, including prevailing wage law and project labor agreements (PLAs). When our clients’ disputes do not end peacefully, we represent developers and landowners in a broad spectrum of litigation, from project appeals to tenant disputes. The team also includes former and current officials and stands ready to assist with communication at the state and local level. Other members of our team can provide insights on and resolve the complex tax issues that arise in real estate transactions.

Development Projects
  • Retail and mixed-use developments
  • Industrial facilities and laboratories
  • Business and industrial parks
  • Brownfields and infill projects
  • Energy and battery facilities
  • Data centers/server farms
  • Wireless and telecom
  • Resource extraction
  • Residential projects
  • Medical campuses
  • Office buildings
Service Offerings
  • State and federal environmental regulatory issues
  • Government relations (local, state, and federal)
  • Compliance with land use regulations
  • Obtaining entitlements and approvals
  • Litigation and enforcement defense
  • Environmental review and permits
  • Complex real estate transactions
  • Development agreements
  • Leasing agreements
  • Coastal regulation
  • Eminent domain
  • Labor issues
  • Tax issues
  • Insolvency
Specialized Experience
  • California’s prevailing wage law and federal labor laws (Davis-Bacon)
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
  • Conversion of former military facilities
  • Siting of energy facilities (CEC & CPUC)
  • Data centers/server farms
  • Coastal development
  • Wireless and telecom

Meet Mintz

Fully integrated team advising on every aspect of land use development in California.