The team at Ross & Schwarz represents municipal agencies in navigating the legal frameworks that shape land use, environmental compliance, and local agency formation, consolidation, annexation, or detachment. Our attorneys provide strategic, hands-on support for agencies managing growth, development, and infrastructure planning. Ross & Schwarz has the experience that your agency needs to navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape.
Land Use Planning and Zoning
We assist public agencies in drafting, interpreting, and enforcing zoning ordinances, general and specific plans, development agreements, and more. Our team advises on land use entitlements, conditional use permits, variances, and compliance with the Subdivision Map Act. Whether your agency is updating its general plan or reviewing a site-specific proposal, we help ensure that land use decisions align with statutory requirements and community goals.
Ross & Schwarz represents agency staff, planning commissions, and governing bodies in the full spectrum of Land Use and Zoning, such as zoning amendments, development entitlements/conditions of approval, variances, and appeals, offering legal insight and thorough preparation to support defensible decision-making.
Assisting Your Organization With CEQA
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) serves as a critical regulatory framework for evaluating the environmental impacts of development projects across the state. Ross & Schwarz supports public agencies in reviewing CEQA documents and technical reports to ensure findings are legally sound and defensible. Our attorneys guide agencies through the full CEQA process—from initial studies and negative declarations to Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and mitigation monitoring plans.
Our firm has a strong track record of successfully defending agencies against CEQA challenges in court. We regularly advise clients on environmental review processes and litigation strategy, working collaboratively with project developers to support well-reasoned, defensible decisions. Navigating CEQA requirements can be complex, but our attorneys bring the experience needed to ensure environmental review is thorough and compliant—minimizing the risk of litigation. And when litigation does arise, Ross & Schwarz is well-equipped to defend your agency’s decisions with confidence and precision.
LAFCOs And Future Development Projects
Ross & Schwarz advises public agencies on matters before Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCO), including annexations, incorporations, district formations, and consolidations. We help agencies navigate the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act, ensuring proposals align with spheres of influence and meet statutory requirements for orderly growth and service delivery.
Our attorneys provide guidance on revenue neutrality, tax-sharing agreements, and fiscal impact analyses—critical components of any boundary change. We support agencies in preparing applications, responding to public input, and defending decisions when challenged.
Contact Ross & Schwarz For Solutions To Your Land Use, CEQA, And LAFCO Challenges
Contact Ross & Schwarz to learn how our focused municipal law practice can support your agency’s land use, CEQA, and/or LAFCO needs with clarity, compliance, and confidence.
