Land Development & Zoning

At St. Johns Law Group, our Land Development and Zoning attorneys are trusted advisors for some of the largest home builders, developers, and landowners in Florida. With more approvals in St. Johns County than any other law firm, we bring unmatched experience and deep insight into the local regulatory landscape.

From concept to completion, we guide clients through every phase of the development process—from due diligence and contract review to public hearings and legal challenges.

✅ Unmatched Local Experience

No other firm in the St. Augustine area has filed more zoning and land development applications or secured more approvals over the past two decades.

• Douglas Burnett, former Assistant County Attorney and past City Attorney for St. Augustine Beach, has obtained approval for over 100 Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). He also served over 20 years as General Counsel to the St. Augustine–St. Johns County Airport Authority.

• James Whitehouse, former Deputy County Attorney for St. Johns County and Assistant City Attorney for the City of St. Augustine, brings first-hand knowledge of both county and municipal zoning processes and policies.

Our attorneys know the local processes—the staff—and the decision-makers.

🏛️ Where We Appear

Our Land Use team regularly represents clients before:

• City of St. Augustine Commission
• St. Johns County Board of County Commission
• City Planning and Zoning Board (PZB)
• County Planning and Zoning Agency (PZA)
• Ponte Vedra Zoning & Adjustment Board (PVZAB)
• Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Architectural Review Committee (PVARC)
• Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB)
• Design Review Boards (Mid-, South-, North Coastal Corridor)
• Other City/County Commissions, Review Boards, and Agencies, including Palm Coast and Flagler

Whether your project is residential, commercial, rural, or mixed-use, we understand the inner workings of the approval process—and how to move your application forward.

📋 Comprehensive Legal Services

Our Land Development & Zoning services include:

• Due Diligence & Contract Evaluation

• Development Approvals & Entitlements

• Zoning & Rezonings (REZ)

• Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)

• Planned Rural Developments (PRDs)

• Comprehensive Plan Amendments (COMPAMD & CPA(SS))

• Special Use Permits (SUPMAJ) & Conditional Use Permits

• Subdivision Construction Plans (SUBCON)

• Concurrency Review: Transportation & Schools (CONMAJ, SCD)

• Architectural Review Applications

• Development Review Committee (DRC) Hearings

• Development Agreements (DA), Utility Agreements, PFS & ICA

• Impact Fee Credits

• Litigation of Land Use Denials & Appeals

• Bert J. Harris Private Property Rights Protection Act

• Representation on Government Contracts & RFPs

From rezoning a single parcel to negotiating large-scale master planned communities, we deliver creative, effective legal strategies tailored to your development goals.

⚖️ When Denied: Appeals and Legal Remedies

Our team is fully prepared to challenge adverse decisions, including:

• Appeals to the Board of County Commissioners

• Petitions for certiorari and administrative appeals

• Bert Harris claims for loss of property rights

• Alternative dispute resolution under Florida statutes

We have successfully reversed zoning denials, negotiated favorable development agreements, and defended entitlements in litigation and appeals.

🏗️ Representative Matters

• Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs)

• Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)

• School & Traffic Concurrency Proportionate Fair Share Agreements

• Impact Fee Credit Agreements and Transfers

• Mixed-Use & Master Planned Communities

• Commercial & Industrial Entitlements

• Historic District and Overlay Compliance

• Public-Private Development Agreements

St. Johns Law Group is often called upon to handle sensitive, high-profile, and politically nuanced projects—a testament to our credibility and trusted presence in the development community.

📍 Your Development Partner in St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and Beyond

Whether you’re a national builder, local investor, commercial developer, or property owner seeking zoning relief, our attorneys bring the legal skill, insider knowledge, and strategic vision to help you succeed.

Let us help you navigate the maze of land use regulation with confidence and clarity.

📞 Contact Our Land Development & Zoning Team Today

Douglas Burnett, Esq.
James Whitehouse, Esq.

📍 Serving clients in St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Ponte Vedra, Palm Coast, Nocatee, Flagler, and across Northeast Florida.