Planning and Land Use Law Education Resources

The American Planning Association is the premier provider of information and analysis on planning, environmental, and land use law. The programs APA undertakes include publications, advocacy, amicus curiae filings, and education programs.

From live events to training packages, APA provides an array of training opportunities. Keep up-to-date and well informed through education.

Live Events
Audio/Web Conference program June 27, 2007: "Planning Law Review."

Legislative & Policy Conference
APA holds an annual conference on legislative advocacy and policy in Washington, D.C. All members are invited to attend. Click here for details on the upcoming conference.

Education Products

APA has education products for multiple audiences. The intended audience is listed with each product. Both planners and planning commissioners benefit from each of these products.

Agreements, Fees, and CIP: The Best of Contemporary Community Planning 2005 (Planning Commissioners)

Defensible Design Review: Designing New and Reshaping Existing Patterns of Development (practicing planners)

Form-Based Zoning (practicing planners)

Innovative Controls for Land-Use Regulation (Planning Commissioners)

Legal Foundation for Planning Commission and Zoning Board Decisions (Planning Commissioners)

Legal Foundation for the Zoning Ordinance (Planning Commissioners)

Legal Framework for Planning: Best of Contemporary Community Planning 2005 (Planning Commissioners)

New Urbanist Codes (practicing planners)

Planning Law in Perspective (coming soon) (practicing planners)

Property Rights v. Public Resource Protection (Planning Commissioners)

Smart Growth Codes (practicing planners)

Planning & Environmental Law
This monthly legal digest is the best single source of information on planning law. This is a critical resource for planning attorneys, municipal attorneys, consultants, and planning directors.

The Commissioner
This publication for planning commissioners features a department in each issue devoted to planning law, where legal experts discuss legal issues germane the work of the commission.

Policy Guides
APA develops policy guides on key issues in planning. These guides are statements intended to guide communities and planners as they plan.

Amicus Curiae Committee
Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) briefs are one of the most influential policy programs undertaken by APA. Briefs are filed at the Supreme Court and state court level. The briefs also help explain what planning's approach is to critical legal issues.

Growing Smart
The guidebook provides states with choices on how to develop legislation to support good planning. It reviews and analyzes best practice and provides a range of models for legally defensible planning legislation.

Bettman Symposium
The Bettman Symposium is a one-day event held annually at the National Planning Conference. Leading legal experts discuss the current legal landscape and provide insight into legal issues facing all communities.

Legislative Advocacy
APA conducts a legislative advocacy program at the national level and provides training to assist with advocacy at the state level. Find out how you can become active.

Land Use Law Sources
APA offers a bibliography of articles and books selected by planner attorneys and organized by topic. Peruse this helpful resource for more information on planning issues.