Land use law is the local, county and state laws governing the use of land. Every jurisdiction has its own set of laws governing everything from building heights to set-backs from roads. It may include exactions and dedications the government may require of the property owner (applicant) prior to the approval of an annexation, development plan or plat. This is one area of the law that every potential purchaser should be familiar with before they buy property. Many people make assumptions about what they may do with their property, only to find out after they have bought the property that what they want to do is not permitted, or that they must apply for a variance or conditional use. Variances and conditional uses are not guaranteed, something prospective purchasers should be aware off before they buy property.

Some, but not all, of the many areas of law which fall under land use law are:

• Planning
• Zoning
• Planned Unit Developments
• Subdivisions
• Street and road access
• Exactions and dedications
• Annexations
• Vacating of public streets
• Historic Preservation