Land Use and Zoning

Philadelphia Zoning and Land Use Law

If you're a developer, owner or builder in eastern Pennsylvania who needs advice about a denied building permit or an appeal of an adverse rezone decision, contact Joseph A. Gembala III, Esq. & Associates. With our experience dealing with local and county land use and zoning regulators, our advice and representation can give your permit application its best chance for success.

Philadelphia attorney Joseph Gembala will work with you to identify those aspects of your project that might violate particular zoning ordinances or land use restrictions, or that attract opposition from community groups concerned about traffic congestion, height, setbacks, or environmental issues. He can also develop and present your strongest case for favorable action on your application.

By appearing before the Zoning Board of Appeal and as necessary, neighborhood organizations, we can work toward identifying and neutralizing specific bases of objection and put your project back on track for completion. If it appears that your permit application will face opposition either within the board or from a community group, our ability to present a persuasive case for approval before the Board of Zoning Appeal represents a major advantage for our clients.

Whether your proposed project involves retail space, apartments, condo conversions, recreational facilities, or a full-service restaurant, our familiarity with the zoning ordinances and land use plans throughout Greater Philadelphia can pinpoint the difficulties with your proposal, and we can find affordable ways to address and overcome objections.

If you've already completed the administrative hearing stage before a local zoning board, we can also advise you whether any mistakes in the project review process or procedural problems in the decision-making process might support civil litigation to reverse the ruling against you. Philadelphia zoning appeals lawyer Joseph Gembala has ample experience before the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania.

For additional information about our ability to help you obtain approval or resolve a dispute involving a commercial, industrial or residential real estate development project, contact Joseph A. Gembala III, Esq. & Associates in Philadelphia.