United States: Construction & Planning

On April 6, 2026, the same day that the Colorado Supreme Court issued its decision in Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC v. Regional Rail Partners, Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 26-074 into law. The legislation, which took effect on August 12, 2026, clarifies the amounts that may be included in mechanic’s liens and public construction payment claims, as well as the circumstances under which those claims may be considered excessive.

California's new Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act establishes a groundbreaking ministerial approval pathway for townhome developments of up to 150 units, eliminating CEQA review and discretionary hearings. The legislation creates unprecedented opportunities for attainable homeownership by streamlining entitlements, reducing construction timelines, and enabling flexible ownership structures including fee-simple lots, cooperatives, and community land trusts. With the potential to unlock thousands of parc

Texas has launched a sweeping investigation into hundreds of data center developments that failed to comply with mandatory water use surveys, marking the latest escalation in a seven-week regulatory crackdown. The state's actions have frozen permits, paused interconnection studies, and exposed projects to criminal and civil enforcement, all while the industry faces mounting scrutiny over its rapidly growing demands on electricity and water infrastructure. With multiple state agencies now coordinating enforc

The City of Boston has adopted a new zoning amendment establishing a consolidated permitting pathway for small clean energy infrastructure projects, including battery energy storage systems. The amendment implements state mandates while providing clear dimensional standards and, in certain cases, by-right zoning for accessory battery installations. Renewable energy developers now have a defined 12-month decision timeline and streamlined approval process for qualifying projects.

California's workplace safety agency has proposed significant revisions to first-aid regulations that would affect nearly all employers in the state. The amendments would establish new requirements for first-aid kit contents, workplace hazard assessments, and employee communication protocols. Will your organization's current first-aid program meet these enhanced standards when they take effect?

Oregon's HB 2138 expands middle housing development requirements to new jurisdictions while removing regulatory barriers and setting implementation deadlines for local governments. The legislation creates density bonuses for accessible and affordable units, streamlines land division procedures, and voids certain private restrictions that limit middle housing development.

New York City faces a critical housing shortage, and developers are increasingly turning to contaminated brownfield sites as opportunities for affordable housing development. This episode explores the complex intersection of environmental remediation, financial incentives, and policy reforms that make building on these challenging properties possible.

Conservation easements are a common tool for protecting agricultural land, open space, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources throughout California. While frequently associated with conservation efforts, conservation easements are fundamentally a property-rights mechanism that allows landowners to limit future development while retaining ownership of their land.

Utility-scale battery energy storage systems are transforming the electric grid across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, creating opportunities for developers and property owners while introducing complex legal challenges. From zoning and interconnection to fire safety and financing, these projects require careful navigation of overlapping federal, state, and local requirements that vary significantly by jurisdiction.