Land Use and Development

At OMW, we provide advice, counsel, and representation to private and public clients concerning all aspects of land use and development, governmental permitting and regulation, entitlements, critical areas and shorelines, condemnation, administrative compliance, and all related litigation.

We are knowledgeable in nearly all substantive and procedural aspects of land use, including:

• Growth Management Act
• State Environmental Policy Act
• Shorelines Management Act
• Land Use Petition Act
• Local government shoreline master programs
• Wetland and critical areas regulations
• Zoning
• Comprehensive plans and amendments
• Conditional use and variance permits
• Residential subdivision and commercial development
• Condemnations and regulatory takings
• Enforcement
• Related litigation at municipal, regional, state and federal administrative and judicial levels

We assist clients in determining successful strategies for acquiring permits, presenting projects at land use hearings, resolving compliance problems, and handling administrative and judicial appeals of land use decisions. We are experienced in project planning, pre-development strategy, the review and approval process, and project entitlements and permitting. We have significant experience and knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory agencies, and Washington municipalities and special purpose districts. Our attorneys are familiar with many of the region's land use lawyers, city attorneys, city and county councils, planning staffs, and planning commissions, and this experience enables us to quickly understand land use and development problems, assess options, and implement strategies having the best chance of success and which meet the business needs of our clients.

Our lawyers have represented public and private entities in land use litigation at every level of the state and federal court system, including the United States Supreme Court. We have successfully presented and challenged local land use decisions and zoning actions before a variety of local and state administrative tribunals, including the Growth Management Hearings Board, Shoreline Hearings Board, and Pollution Control Hearings Board.