Practice

Land Use

Experienced Lawyers for Complex Land Use Matters

Sheppard advises developers, investors, landowners, lenders and nonprofits on land use, zoning and environmental entitlements.

We navigate local, state and federal approval processes to help clients complete ambitious development projects efficiently and with minimal risk.

Strategic Guidance from Project Concept to Construction

Sheppard’s Land Use team combines legal precision, government insight and creative problem-solving to guide clients through the complex framework of land use regulation. 

We perform zoning analyses and opinions, structure discretionary entitlement applications, prepare and defend California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, and coordinate local, state and federal permits. Our lawyers appear before community boards, planning commissions, city councils, zoning boards and historic/landmark preservation officials at the county, city and special district levels. 

We support projects across residential, commercial, mixed-use and industrial markets, with a focus on growth areas such as multifamily housing, renewable energy, healthcare, senior living and conservation subdivisions. Our work also includes conversions of older commercial buildings to residential uses, as well supporting emerging uses such as battery storage, 3D printing, and recreational cannabis facilities, where existing regulations often require creative and forward-thinking solutions. 

Read More

Areas of Focus

CEQA Documentation and Defense
Historic Resources
Litigation
Public Lands
Water
Wetlands and Endangered Species