Real Estate Blog

Tag: Zoning

gavel and scales of justice

SJC Announces Outcome Prior to Decision, Reverses Appeals Court Decision, and Upholds Dismissal of a Zoning Appeal for Lack of Standing

03/11/2020   |   BY Sander A. Rikleen and Amy L. Hahn

The threshold question in many land use appeals is whether the appealing party has standing to object to the action... Read More »

a man with yellow construction hat looking through a Surveyor theodolite on tripod

New 2016 ALTA/NSPS Property Survey Table A Requirements

03/08/2016   |   BY Sherin and Lodgen

Effective February 23, 2016, the American Land Title Association and the National Society of Professional Surveyors issued new Minimum Standard... Read More »

the word "permits" labeled on a blue binder in a office

Massachusetts Permit Session Jurisdiction Explained

02/27/2015   |   BY Sander A. Rikleen and Jennifer Ioli Connelly

On February 27th, the Massachusetts Appeals Court again held that certain land use appeals under Mass. G.L.c. 185, §3A, cannot... Read More »

houses that look the same on a street with a tree in front and green grass also a blue sky in the background

Preexisting, Nonconforming Uses and Structures: A Recent Appeals Court Clarification

10/22/2014   |   BY Thomas P. Gorman

Revisions to local zoning ordinances look prospectively. Thus, when a zoning ordinance is enacted prohibiting a specific use in any particular... Read More »

view of boston city skyline from a high vantage point

10 Things Real Estate Developers and Investors Should Know About Boston Zoning and Local Permitting

09/17/2013   |   BY Sherin and Lodgen

Major real estate development projects like the former Filenes site downtown and the New Balance “Boston Landing” project in Brighton... Read More »

mass state house, a brick building with a gold dome on the top and a blue sky in the background

10 Highlights of “An Act Promoting the Planning and Development of Sustainable Communities”

08/11/2013   |   BY Sherin and Lodgen

With the support of numerous environmental, housing and planning groups (along with some municipal leaders and, most recently, The Boston... Read More »

Map of Boston

Statutes of Limitations on Zoning Enforcement Actions in Massachusetts

06/27/2013   |   BY Sherin and Lodgen

Cautious real estate purchasers or lenders always review their prospective properties for compliance with zoning regulations.  In most cases, they... Read More »

solar panel park with blue cells on a green field and sunset in the background

Can Solar Farms and Backyard Gardens Co-Exist? Zoning Tensions Flare in Massachusetts

05/09/2013   |   BY Sherin and Lodgen

Imagine you’ve just purchased your dream home in the ‘burbs. Your patio has just been finished. Your beautiful 2-acre lot,... Read More »