Henrietta Feldman, a graduate of Boston University Law School, is a real estate attorney in the Law Office of Henrietta Feldman LLC. At her firm, Henrietta Feldman reviews commercial and residential real estate matters for clients in Palm Beach, Florida, and she also assists clients in Massachusetts.

Real estate law encompasses various legal issues related to property ownership, use, and development. Zoning and land use law, a critical area covered in real estate law, ensures that land is used appropriately and does not impact a community negatively. In Massachusetts, municipalities like cities and towns may decide how land is used in certain areas and define building requirements for residential and commercial properties.

The decision on how to use land originates from city and town ordinances that regulate the municipality within their jurisdiction. These ordinances divide the municipality into zones, each allocated for a certain use, whether for residential, industrial, or commercial purposes. The state uses zoning officers to enforce the laws and building codes.

Individuals who think that the city or town should reconsider how specific land can be used or want an exception to a zoning law or ordinance may request a hearing in the zoning board of appeals. Compared to court hearings, zoning board hearings are less formal. Even so, one must understand zoning rules to convince the board to be given an exception to the zoning law or be allowed to use the land differently than is currently permitted.