Municipalities & Authorities

Local Government

Local Government

Local & Municipal
Zoning & Land Use

Local & Municipal

Our firm’s location in Pennsylvania’s state capital, coupled with the prior experience of many of our attorneys, makes us an ideal partner in Pennsylvania local municipal practice.  HMS Legal attorneys act as solicitor and special counsel for large and small municipalities and municipal authorities, especially those encountering complex water, wastewater, land development, and energy issues.  We also advise Pennsylvania municipalities with respect to the regulation, licensing, and operation of electric distribution systems and generation projects.

In our capacity as solicitor and special counsel, we advise our municipal clients in areas such as:

• Development and amendment of ordinances
• Public procurement
• Zoning and land use and development matters
• Environmental issues such as water/waste water regulatory compliance
• Negotiating and drafting of intermunicipal agreements
• Eminent domain issues
• Grant administration and agreements
• Local share funding and other aspects of the host relationship for landfill and casino host municipalities
• Jurisdictional issues related to the delivery of utility services by municipal authorities
• Disputes between authorities and their incorporating municipalities
• Creation and dissolution of municipal authorities
• Litigation involving all aspects of water, waste water, land development and energy issues

Zoning & Land Use

HMS Legal provides advice and guidance to municipal clients and developers with respect to zoning and land use issues.  We act as Solicitors to municipalities and local planning commissions.  In addition to representing clients in land use matters, the firm has experience from a planning perspective by serving as voting members of local, county, and regional planning commissions.

Our representation extends to matters such as:

• Zoning compliance and status
• Subdivision requirements
• Pre-existing, non-conforming uses and structures
• Zoning enforcement appeals
• Variances, conditional uses, and waivers
• Curative amendments
• Zoning hearing board proceedings
• Utility service extensions
• Enforcement of bonds and security
• Professional fee disputes