Land Use
When a Backyard Fence Becomes a Nine-Foot Zoning Problem
A recent New Jersey Appellate Division decision shows how an ordinary home improvement can become a costly zoning dispute. The case also offers practical lessons for executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and families dealing with real estate as part of an estate. In Henry v. Planning Board of the Borough of Manasquan, homeowners sought permission to install […]
Read More....Adverse Possession and Property Disputes in New Jersey
This article addresses adverse possession and property disputes in NJ. It is important to understand your rights when boundary lines are challenged by a neighbor. A recent New Jersey appellate court decision offers important lessons for homeowners involved in property boundary disputes. The case involved two neighboring properties in Ventnor where a long-standing fence became […]
Read More....NJ Court Reverses Edison Township Zoning Board’s Digital Billboard Denial
On August 17, 2026, New Jersey’s Appellate Division issued an important decision for property owners and businesses seeking zoning variances in the Garden State. In American Outdoor Advertising, LLC v. Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, the court reversed a trial court order that had upheld the Board’s denial of a digital billboard application—not because […]
Read More....NJ Supreme Court Revises the Law on Use Variances
On July 13, 2026, the NJ Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in Monarch Cmtys., LLC v. Twp. of Montville, which revised the legal standard that had governed NJ land use variances since 1992. The change gives greater authority to municipal zoning boards to reject variance applications for “Inherently Beneficial Uses” and seeks to ensure […]
Read More....NJ Appellate Decision in Bair v. Estate of Colleen Ritchie: Lessons for Partition and Estate Disputes
When disputes arise over property and inheritance, emotions often run high, and the legal issues can become complex. The recent appellate decision in Bair v. Estate of Colleen Ritchie sheds light on how courts handle property partition disputes and the enforceability of disclaimers in estate matters. This case, decided by the New Jersey Superior Court, […]
Read More....NJ Appellate Court Affirms Daycare Approval Over Quarry’s Objections
A classic land-use dispute often involves neighboring property owners with starkly different visions for their community. In a recent decision, Weldon Materials, Inc. v. Planning Board of the Borough of Watchung, the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, highlighted how state law balances private industrial concerns against commercial developments providing an inherent public benefit. The […]
Read More....Property Survey and New Jersey Real Estate Transactions
Do you need a property survey when purchasing property in New Jersey? It it is important to know what property and land you are going to own to the fullest extent possible. One of the ways to do this is to hire a professional to perform a survey of the property. There are several different […]
Read More....CONDEMNATION – DO NOT SLEEP ON YOUR RIGHTS
Do not sleep on your rights, the rights you have relating to real property is extremely important. This is where consulting an attorney is often worthwhile, because if you sleep on your rights, you could unknowingly be giving up alot. You want to be prepared for possible scenarios that could result in you losing […]
Read More....Are You Really Paying Too Much In Property Taxes?
Property tax appeals are related to the assessed value of your property and any improvements thereon. In order to appeal a property assessment, the taxpayer must file a property tax appeal in the County where the property is located. First, it should be noted that if the property assessment is over $1,000,000.00, the taxpayer […]
Read More....Can Your Neighbor Cut Down The Trees in Your Yard and Get Away With It?
In a recent case, the plaintiffs who sued their neighbors for removing bamboo from their property without permission were unable to recover damages. The New Jersey Supreme Court found the plaintiffs failed to show evidence that the removal led to a diminution in their property value or constituted a loss of peculiar value that was […]
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