Abutters have standing to challenge neighbor's compliance with zoning law

State zoning enabling statutes generally define who has the power to challenge decisions by zoning boards about allowable land uses. Many allow abutters who are specially affected by land uses to challenge the legality of building permits or zoning decisions on the ground that if they are not granted this right, there will be no deterrence to zoning boards who ignore the limits of local zoning regulations. The Massachusetts Land Court affirmed the right of abutters who can show they were affected by neighboring land use to challenge zoning permit decisions as "persons aggrieved" under state statutes. Teti v. Town of Sherborn, 20 LCR 154 (Mass. Land Ct. Feb. 29, 2012).

See also: Zoning, June 2012