Land Use And Zoning

Eminent domain is a unique and often misunderstood aspect of Delaware law. People who own property are not expecting the state to simply take it for its own use. However, it is a legal act and can be done under certain circumstances. Of course, the property owner is...

In general, zoning laws are used by municipalities to regulate the use and development of land. This can impact the day-to-day use of property and the value of the land as well. For that reason, property owners impacting by zoning regulations should be familiar with...

Before purchasing a piece of property with a specific purpose in mind, it is important to first understand its zoning category. In Delaware, zoning designations limit land use as well as the type of structures that can be built on a piece of property. To prevent...

Whether for personal or commercial use, owning a piece of land is a significant investment. Few -- if any -- property owners in Delaware anticipate having to let others use their properties for unintended purposes. You may have been surprised or even worried when...

Cities and towns can change pretty drastically over time. Where there were once homes there might be a new shopping center or public park. While these can sometimes be welcome changes, they often pose a problem for property owners in Delaware. This is because these...

With the population aging in Delaware, the Milford City Council approved a nursing and rehab center proposed by Nationwide Healthcare Services. The center would anchor a wellness village that would lease spaces to multiple tenants like a child daycare center,...

Delaware residents may have heard about a recent Supreme Court ruling that halted the development of a proposed motor speedway track in Felton. The Feb. 23 decision upheld a previous Superior Court ruling made in August 2016 that the land, presently the location of a...

Delaware property owners are sometimes asked to grant easements on their properties to others, including neighbors, utilities companies or municipalities. Easements are needed when other people need to use your property, and they may lead to disputes over property...

Residents of Sussex County may be interested in learning about the proposed Delaware Botanic Gardens, which will be located near Dagsboro along Pepper Creek. Sources report the project is moving forward and that architects, developers and planners have now been...

A potential West Rehoboth microbrewery has cleared its first zoning hurdle after the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve its conditional-use application. A local youth center has openly opposed the plan.The microbrewery applied...