Here’s the latest takings cert petition, in a case involving a California county’s refusal to rezone property back to its former zoning to allow residential development. The only uses permitted on the property presently are “scientific research facilities uses” and hiking trails. Or, at the petition puts it, “only public, park-like uses.” Pet. at
Zoning & Planning
Call For Papers: “Housing and Exactions: The Next Frontiers After Sheetz“
Our outfit (Pacific Legal Foundation) has put out a call for papers. on the topic of land use exactions and housing law. Honorarium included for accepted papers, and there will be a workshop to follow.
Here’s the description:
This workshop seeks to build on the result of Sheetz v. County of El Dorado and…
New Article (Comment): “Vacancy Taxes: A Possible Taking?” (U. Chi. L. Rev.)
A new student-authored journal article worth reading, Christine Dong, “Vacancy Taxes: A Possible Taking?,” 91 U. Chi. L. Rev. 1725 (2024).
Here’s the Abstract:
Vacancy taxes are an increasingly popular solution to the paradoxical problem of high housing demand coupled with high vacancy. Cities across the country facing housing shortages have either implemented…
Imagining The Future Of Regulatory Takings: “Making Property Rights Cool Again”

Lawprof Ilya Somin (GMU Law), Mercatus Center’s Charles Gardner,
and lawyer Emily Cruikshank Bayonne (Tubman Realty, LLC)
speaking on “How Policy Changes Can Address Incursions on
Property Rights Where Courts Have Failed to do So.”
Jim Burling (PLF) moderating.
Recently, we attended a wonderful symposium co-sponsored by George Mason Law School’s Journal of …
Hawaii Dirt Lawyers: Don’t Miss “Property Rights & Regulatory Takings” CLE At The HSBA Convention (In-Person & Webcast)
Hawaii lawyers (and those barred in the 808), take note: On October 21, 2024, the Hawaii State Bar Association will hold its annual Convention, and as always there’s a full lineup of CLE programs so you can meet your MCLE requirements.
Thanks to the Real Property & Financial Services Section, there’s a significant dirt law…
“Build-to-Rent Homes: A Promising Solution to Chronic Housing Shortages” – CRE 2024 Jared Shales Prize
Congratulations to our Pacific Legal Foundation colleague Brian Hodges for his article “Build-to-Rent Homes: A Promising Solution to Chronic Housing Shortages” being awarded the 2024 Jared Shales Prize by the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE).
From the Introduction:
When homeownership is increasingly out of reach for many, build-to-rent (BTR) housing offers a…
Court To Phoenix: Clean Up Your Act!
A frequent vibe in cases where a member of the public asks a court to compel a local government to do something about an undesired land use (i.e., “the city should stop my neighbor from illegally renting their property,” or “the police should remove the pop-up unlicensed food stand on the sidewalk in…
Book Launch Event, Aug 13, 2024: Jim Burling, “Nowhere to Live: The Hidden Story of America’s Housing Crisis”
If you are in the California Southland (or plan to be in the next week), please be sure to reserve on your calendar Tuesday, August 13, 2024, to join us in-person for the launch of our colleague Jim Burling‘s forthcoming book, “Nowhere to Live: The Hidden Story of America’s Housing Crisis.”…
Relying On Complaint’s Allegation That City Issued A Permit As Confirmed By Chief Building Officer Email, Texas App Holds Takings Claim Ripe Even Though City Said Council Must Issue Permits
Check out City of Kemah v. Crow, No. 01-23-00417-CV (July 25, 2024), from the Texas Court of Appeal (First District).
This is yet another takings ripeness case — here, the so-called “final decision” requirement — the second recent opinion on this issue from the Texas court. See “Final Decision Takings Ripeness Is Based …
New Article – “Sheetz v. County of El Dorado: Legislatures Must Comply with the Takings Clause” (Brian Hodges & Deb La Fetra)
Check this out: our Pacific Legal Foundation colleagues (Brian Hodges and Deborah La Fetra we on our Sheetz SCOTUS team), have posted a new scholarly piece on SSRN, “Sheetz v. County of El Dorado: Legislatures Must Comply with the Takings Clause.”
Here’s the Abstract:
For more than 30 years, the Supreme Court…






