NIMBY Law and Legal Definition
Nimby is the abbreviation for ‘not in my backyard.’ This phrase is used to describe the response that is made by neighborhoods and communities to proposed changes or development close to them. The opposing residents are called nimbies or Nimbys. Nimby conflicts are commonly encountered by zoning boards.
NIMBYs are mostly nearby homeowners who object to further development within their community. The development may be homes just like the ones in which they live, but the neighbors oppose it because they think and fear that greater density will adversely affect local road congestion, neighborhood character, crime, taxes and public services. [Kennedy v. Upper Milford Twp. Zoning Hearing Bd., 575 Pa. 105, 126 (Pa. 2003)].
NIMBYs take part at the zoning and planning board reviews. They often use regulatory rationales, such as environmental impact statements, historic districts, aboriginal burial sites, agricultural preservation, wetlands, flood plains, access for the disabled and protection of endangered species at other local, state and federal government forums, including courts of law in support of their opposition. [Kennedy v. Upper Milford Twp. Zoning Hearing Bd., 575 Pa. 105, 126 (Pa. 2003)].