W&S Zoning Law

Our Firm and Our History

White & Smith Zoning Law, LLC is a law firm practicing in the areas of land use and zoning. Our partners, Mark White and Tyson Smith began practicing together in the early 2000s as attorneys at Freilich, Leitner & Carlisle, in Kansas City.

Mark and Tyson formed White & Smith Planning and Law Group in 2005, which became an independent, full-service planning firm in 2025.

While our partnership continues, our legal practice is now handled solely through White & Smith Zoning and Law, LLC.

Mark White, Esq, AICP

S. Mark White is recognized as an expert in zoning and subdivision law, form-based zoning and New Urbanism, land use and takings litigation, housing, development of comprehensive growth management plans, and implementation systems. He has represented clients at every level from city, state and local governments, as well as major private developers, many of whom are involved in environmental permitting proceedings and takings litigation.

Mr. White publishes extensively on planning and land use issues. He is the co-author of the American Planning Association’s model land development code (a 21st Century Land Development Code), and is a frequent speaker at the national meetings of the American Planning Association, the American Center for National and International Law, the Congress of New Urbanism, the University of Wisconsin, and various other professional organizations.

Tyson Smith, Esq, AICP

Tyson Smith has a diversity of experience in local government and land use planning and law, with a particular focus on growth management, capital funding techniques, and land use compatibility.

Mr. Smith’s practice, in both the public and private sectors, has involved land use impact assessments and legal defense, impact fees, concurrency management, short-term rentals, military encroachment planning, affordable housing, agricultural preservation, telecommunications planning, transferable development rights, bike and pedestrian planning, and growth management systems.

Mr. Smith also has defended and advised clients in matters involving regulatory takings, exactions, due process, equal protection, and the limits of statutory authority.