Land use can be complex — and expensive

LMCIT members spend nearly $2.6 million per year on land use claims, and the average cost of a claim is $51,000. Of that total, almost 90 percent is spent defending cities rather than paying someone damages.

Because land use costs to Minnesota cities are significant — and because the only way to avoid many land use claims is by making informed, thoughtful, and appropriate land use decisions — LMCIT offers a unique loss control program to address these risks.

Phone consultation and training

LMCIT’s land use attorney works with members to provide customized information and training, and acts as a resource to elected and appointed city officials and to city attorneys. He can address topics such as the different roles elected officials must play in making land use decisions, and specific legal requirements related to things like planning, zoning, development, redevelopment, franchising, and more.
—Contact Jed Burkett, Loss Control/Land Use Attorney, at (651) 281-1247 or (800) 925-1122 or [email protected].

Written assistance

Written materials are available on topics including zoning, sign ordinances, regulating adult uses, land use claims, findings of fact, public hearings, the 60-day rule, development fees, and more.
Access land use resources

Land use litigation coverage

Litigation relating to a city’s land use regulation decisions, development and redevelopment activities, franchising, or city enterprise operations can be very expensive. LMCIT has developed a specialized approach to cover this type of litigation. The LMCIT Liability Coverage Guide explains land use litigation coverage.
View the LMCIT Liability Coverage Guide (pdf) (see Section III-J)