Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Burton v. Glynn County

The property owners' use of their St. Simons Island property as an event venue violated the county's zoning ordinance.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

At the heart of these consolidated appeals and cross-appeals is the question of whether property owners are violating a zoning ordinance by operating their property as an event venue. For the reasons set forth below, we conclude that the trial court properly found that the owners were violating the ordinance and that the court properly issued a declaratory judgment to that effect. Accordingly, we affirm the first of the two trial court orders before us in its entirety, and we affirm the second of the two orders except in one respect, as explained below.

Thomas and Lee Burton own an oceanfront property in the East Beach area of St. Simons Island. The property is situated within a single-family residential zoning district classified as “R-6″ under the Glynn County Zoning Ordinance. After the completion of a large, lavish home on the property in 2008, the Burtons began offering the property, known as Villas de Suenos,1 as a short-term vacation rental. Over the next few years, Villa de Suenos became increasingly popular as a venue for weddings and other large gatherings; from 2010 through May 2013, at least 79 events were held at the property, with many exceeding 100 guests.2 In print and online media, Villa de Suenos was described as “perfect for weddings” and touted as “St. Simon’s Island’s premier wedding destination”; its website featured scores of photographs of weddings held at the property. Guests who booked Villa de Suenos were furnished with a list of preferred caterers, photographers, florists, wedding planners, and other similar vendors.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Southeastern Legal Awards 2025
May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
GlobeSt. Healthcare Real Estate 2024
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Awards 2024
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
(NEW) JUNIOR-MID LEVEL LITIGATION ASSOCIATE WANTED FOR ELITE LITIGATION BOUTIQUE FIRM (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, a boutique litigation firm established by former BigLaw partners, is seeking to hire a junior-mid level associate their rapidly ...


Apply Now ›
CORPORATE ASSOCIATE - CT or Remote

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is seeking an associate to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates must have four to eight years...


Apply Now ›
Senior Associate - Boutique -A&D (NYC)

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM, CORPORATE LAW We provide strategic advisory and legal services to the world's leading archite...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs