The only consumer"s guide to making sense of land-use laws and regulations Many property owners have no idea what their rights are when it comes to altering their properties, or protecting themselves from encroachment by developers and the misguided building and renovation plans of neighbors. Written by a leading national expert on land-use law, The Complete Guide to Zoning tells home owners, developers, and investors nationwide everything you need to know about getting approvals and protecting your property rights. In plain English, Dwight Merriam explains how to: * Get fast approvals for building and renovation plans * Obtain building permits and variances * Fight development projects * Use land-use laws to protect and increase property values * Identify and work around laws that limit building and renovation plans * Deal with environmental-protection laws