-
Partner
,
-
Oakland
,
- T: +1 510.273.8780
- D: +1 510.903.8815
- F: +1 510.839.9104
- dbazzano@bwslaw.com
- Linked
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Denise Bazzano is a member of Burke’s Public Law Practice Group where she leverages her multi-faceted experience in municipal law and litigation to assist public entities in a variety of legal and regulatory matters.
Denise regularly advises city councils, planning commissions, boards and staff on a wide range of both transactional and litigated matters including issues relating to code enforcement, cannabis regulation, contracts, land use, public works projects, animal control, purchasing, and liability exposure. Additionally, she provides regular advice regarding compliance with the Brown Act, the California and U.S. Constitutions, the Subdivision Map Act, and the Public Records Act. Denise also provides AB 1234 training as well as specialized training in the Public Records Act and other areas of public law.
Denise also advises clients on a broad range of land use and planning matters, including advising public agencies on issues related to CEQA compliance, land use approval procedures, and processing of land use applications for both commercial and residential development projects. Denise also provides advice on real estate transactions and has experience drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, lease terminations, easements and development agreements.
Denise has extensive experience in code enforcement issues and regularly advises city councils, commissions, and staff on the interpretation and application of administrative laws and procedures, zoning regulations, as well as criminal enforcement of municipal codes. Additionally, Denise advises clients on constitutional considerations relating to a public agency’s enforcement efforts. She has worked with several cities to develop programs relating to the regulation of special industries such as massage and cannabis. Due to Denise’s skills and experience, she is able to provide both advisory and litigation services to her clients on enforcement issues relating to blighted property and substandard buildings. For each of her clients, Denise works closely with staff to develop an enforcement strategy that complies with legal requirements and achieves the code enforcement goals of the client.
Denise is currently a member of the League of California Cities Cannabis Regulation Committee.
- J.D., Golden State University School of Law, 2001
- B.S., Business Administration, Saint Mary's College of California, 1995
- State Bar of California
- Alameda County Bar Association, Public Law Section
- Contra Costa County City Attorney's Association
- Public Law Update – AB 1633: Addressing CEQA’s Use To Indefinitely Block Infill Housing
- 2023 Accessory Dwelling Unit Laws
- SB 4: Housing on Religious or College Property
- AB 965: Broadband Permit Efficiency and Local Government Staff Solution Best Practices Act of 2023
- SB 684 – New Streamlined Approval Process for Residential Projects on Small Urban Lots
- AB 1637 – Local Government: Internet Websites and Email Addresses
- AB 1638: Providing Emergency Information in Non-English
- AB 557: Updates to Teleconference Attendance by Legislative Bodies
- New FPPC Regulations for Campaign Contributions
- Are You Picture Perfect? AB 994 and Posting Mugshots on Law Enforcement Social Media Accounts
- Court Rules Commercial Cannabis Businesses are Similar to Current Land Uses and Covered by City’s General Plan EIR
- SB 329: Increase in Salary Cap for Council Members
- Changes to Medical Cannabis Regulations as a Result of the Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act
- Distribution of Documents to Legislative Bodies Prior to Meetings
- Changes to General Plan Reporting Due to AB 1743 and AB 2094
- SB 1100 – Additional Process for Removal of Disruptive Individuals From Agency Meetings
- Court Holds Requesting 47,000 Pages Not Unduly Burdensome Under Public Records Act
- SB 619 – Temporary Relief from CalRecycle Penalties
- Court of Appeal Strictly Construes Brown Act Requirement to Make Documents Available for Public Inspection at the Time of Distribution to the Legislative Body
- Court of Appeal Rejects City’s Reliance on Setback Standard Under Housing Accountability Act
- Public Records Act’s Catchall Exemption Applies to COVID-19 Outbreak Location Information
- Protected: Increased Limits on Campaign Contributions and Gifts to CA Officials, Candidates
- Appeals Court Rules Governor Newsom’s Use of Emergency Powers Was Constitutional
- A Refresher on General Conflict-of-Interest Rules
- Bill Summaries: Animal Protections
- SB 288 – CEQA Exemption for Alternative Transportation Projects
- Changes to Public Generally Exception and New Requirement for Posting of Campaign Disclosure Documents Filed in Paper Format
- Bill Summaries | AB 2231 and AB 2311
- Housing Roundup: New Housing Bills Signed by Governor Newsom
- Recent Legislation Affecting Scooters, Skateboards and Parking Penalties
- AB 992 | The Brown Act & Social Media
- COVID-19 Updates for Employers
- Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources v. County of Stanislaus
- Santa Monica’s At-large Method of Elections Does Not Violate the California Voting Rights Act
- Local Public Agencies Must Ensure Emails and Other Documents Are Retained Throughout CEQA Process and Override Automated Deletion Policies
- Local Special Taxes Proposed by Voter Initiative Subject to Majority Voter Approval
- FPPC Disclosure Revisions to Close Conflict of Interest Loophole
- National Lawyers Guild v. City of Hayward: No Cost for Redaction of Bodycam Footage in Response to CPRA Request
- National Lawyers Guild v. City of Hayward: No cost for redaction of bodycam footage in response to CPRA request
- Navigating the Brown Act During a Period of Local Emergency Due to COVID-19
- Zoning Ordinance Did Not Violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)
- Are you Compatible? Second Appellate District Considers Incompatible Offices and Finds Offices of Mayor and Board Director are Incompatible
- Brown Act: The Importance of Sticking to Your Agenda
- Brown Act: Avoiding Violations by Responding to Cease and Desist Letters
- Using The “Committee Exception” To Exclude Public Comment At Special Meeting Violates Brown Act
- Access to Private Entity Records is Not Enough to Compel Disclosure Obligations Under CPRA