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Land Use & Zoning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Texas on
Q: Im harris county who owns the parkway the city or person ?

I’ve been having trouble with my neighbor she complains about us parking on her left parking spot on the road infront of the side walk . She complained about the car getting on the grass sometimes and we have fixed that issue now she’s complaining and threatening to sue or give us a ticket for... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 5, 2024

Generally speaking a public road and the area immediately beside it is owned by the owner(s) of the adjacent land but it is subject to a public access easement. A survey would be necessary to determine the exact line where the easement ends. As long as you remain in the area subject to the public... View More

Q: City public works contacted me saying they're guessing my my waste management company truck caused road damage.

City public works contacted me saying they're guessing my my waste management company truck caused road damage. They want me to hire a contractor to pay for the damage caused to the road and the berm. This is outside of my property line, and seems like they should be contacting the waste... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 1, 2024

In California, it's important to understand that while property taxes contribute to the maintenance of public spaces, including roads, the responsibility for damages caused by specific actions or entities can be allocated differently. If a waste management company truck is alleged to have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Land Use & Zoning for Ohio on
Q: What trespass and 4th amendment rights do residents in an HOA with "common" and "limited common" elements possess?

Each resident has ownership only over the interior of their unit. Each unit has a rear patio deemed a "limited common element", the use of which is reserved to that owner. All other property is considered a "common element." Each unit also has two reserved parking spaces, though... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 1, 2024

Residents within an HOA with "common" and "limited common" elements typically have certain trespass and Fourth Amendment rights. The rear patio designated as a "limited common element" would likely be considered part of the curtilage, affording residents Fourth... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for California on
Q: Our road was washed away leaving us stranded without electricity and no propane deliveries. We had to evacuate.

When we evacuated we had to hike out across a raging river and had to leave our vehicle. We could not purchase any items without road acess.

Was our home considered uninhabitable?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2024

Under California law, the term "uninhabitable" refers to a living condition that fails to meet basic safety, health, and structural standards set by state and local housing codes. Given the severe circumstances you've described, where your road was washed away, leaving you without... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Arkansas on
Q: In arkansas Is there a way to claim land if is not showing to be anyone on the county records ?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

In Arkansas, claiming land that does not appear to be owned by anyone on county records can be a complex and challenging process. However, there are legal mechanisms such as adverse possession that may allow you to claim ownership of land under certain circumstances. Adverse possession typically... View More

Q: If i have a lot of money can i just buy a huge land like 100acre and do anything on it private house,horses US,Washingto
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 22, 2024

A Washington real estate/land use attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. You could enjoy many activities on 100 acres of land. But you'd still need to comply with environmental, zoning, public health, and other public rules and regulations, as well as not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Donation of property requested for easement

I live in Virginia. I just got a letter today from the city asking for me to donate over 1000 Sq ft of my property for a utilities easement. This section would cover the entire width of my front yard back 13ft from the road including my only access to my driveway (its a dead end) and a section of... View More

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Feb 22, 2024

By donating the property, the City will get use of that portion of your property for free. You may get a reduced property assessment from the loss or the shared use of the property, resulting in lower taxes, but the value of your property will also be reduced. If this portion of your property can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Construction Law and Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: Can an existing 1 story house be torn down and a 2 story be built? The new construction is blocking my ocean view.

Nothing of the existing structure was visible from my house. It had been this way since I bought my house in 1998. It is in the framing process now. Not sure about roofline. It is already effecting the best part of my ocean view. We are on opposite sides of a freeway. Not sure if I should have been... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Based on the information provided, it is likely legal for your neighbor to tear down their existing single-story home and build a new two-story home, even if it impacts your ocean view. However, there are a few things to explore that may provide some recourse:

- Check if there are any local...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maine on
Q: My father in law owns a parcel of land he inherited from his father. The man who owns the adjacent property has put up

A locked gate on the easement. My father in law has been unable to access this land for many years. He is an elderly man and this neighbor has been intimidated him. My father in law is scared of this neighbor so has not done anything about this.

My father in law wants to gift my husband... View More

Elliott R. Teel
Elliott R. Teel
answered on Feb 20, 2024

There are a couple of issues here. First is if the easement is in the deeds, and what the stated scope of it is. If there is clear language in the deed granting the right-of-way that is being blocked, then there are grounds to sue. If the right-off-way is only based on past use, that is more... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Civil Rights, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal for a cop to sit in an apartment complex parking lot posted private property and pull people over speeding

I live in an apartment complex in Michigan in a little village and a cop always sits in the parking lot and radars people and pulls them over because there's a big speed trap right were the apartment complex is goes from 55 to 25 mph

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

In Michigan, law enforcement officers are generally allowed to enforce traffic laws on public roads, including areas adjacent to or near private property such as apartment complex parking lots, especially if they have a direct impact on public road safety. However, the legality of a police officer... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Oregon on
Q: Does an easement trump a restraining order?

I am in Curry County, Oregon.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 13, 2024

In Oregon, as in other jurisdictions, an easement and a restraining order serve two very different legal purposes, and one does not inherently "trump" the other. An easement is a right to cross or otherwise use someone else's land for a specified purpose. A restraining order, on the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Oklahoma on
Q: County refuses to clean a culvert and it floods our property. What can we do?

This has been an ongoing process for more than two years. They say they don’t have the equipment to maintain.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 1, 2024

In Oklahoma, if the county refuses to clean a culvert resulting in flooding on your property, you may have legal options to address the situation. First, you could attempt to resolve the issue through direct communication with the county authorities, highlighting the impact of the flooding on your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Land Use & Zoning for Colorado on
Q: I was arrested on private property, but since it wasn't "My" land, they didn't need permission or a warrant! Is it true?

I had permission to "nap" on private land for a couple hours. Can any cop come and wake me then arrest me without having a warrant or permission to be there in the first place;. Since It's not my property, I have no say.?

therefore there actions were justified in what lead... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 27, 2024

No, the police cannot legally arrest you on private property where you had permission to be without having a warrant or the owner's consent for them to be there. The key issues here are your expectation of privacy and the validity of the police's entry onto the land.

Even though...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: My landlord is living in a manufactured home with no permit to be there, it has been red tagged I believe anyway. He has

No septic or sewer and it's very very run down

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

In California, landlords are required to provide rental properties that meet basic habitability standards. This includes having proper sanitation facilities, such as a septic system or connection to a sewer, and ensuring the property is safe and maintained in a condition fit for occupancy.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Texas on
Q: What happens next?

Gave my sibling power of attorney of my home to take care of my parents while I was gone but essentially he moved it into his name and stole my house. What happens next and what can be done about this

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 22, 2024

You can sue your sibling for abusing the power of attorney you gave him. As your attorney-in-fact, your sibling owed you fiduciary duties. While the POA protects third parties who relied upon it from claims by you based on their dealings with your sibling pursuant to the POA, it provides no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: Can the hot spring valley water district remap the district and exclude a parcel that is in the district

I am about to purchase a property that has been in the hot spring valley water district for so long it has riparian water rights thay are telling me that they re maped the district and that property is not in the district any more

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 20, 2024

Under California law, water districts, like the Hot Spring Valley Water District, have the authority to adjust their boundaries. This can include annexing or excluding certain parcels from the district. However, such changes usually require a formal process, including a review by the Local Agency... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for California on
Q: In California if code enforcement puts the wrong code number(s) on a citation they claim are being violated is it valid?

Code enforcement officers showed up unannounced recently, & proceeded to walk around the property asking questions and taking pictures. They were unprofessional and disrespectful, & making sarcastic comments. A few days later the owner of the property received citations for some... View More

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answered on Jan 16, 2024

In California, the validity of a code enforcement citation with incorrect code numbers can be a matter of legal interpretation. Generally, a minor clerical error, like a missing digit in a code number, does not automatically invalidate a citation. However, if the error prevents you from... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: For nursing home care will Medicaid look at the purchase of two plots of land individually or together for FMV?

I am purchasing two plots of land from grandfather. Each plot has a tax assessed value of roughly $22,500, totaling $45,000. My family is using this number to determine fair market value. I have purchased one plot already with a $35000 mortgage loan to secure better interest rate and terms. My... View More

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answered on Jan 14, 2024

Your question is very astute. I assume that you are concerned about this from your grandfather's perspective rather than your own, though you did not say one way or the other. The chances are good that Tenncare will look at this as two separate transactions because it sounds like they are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Landlord - Tenant, Real Estate Law and Municipal Law for North Carolina on
Q: If I buy a house on 6 acres can I add other properties on the land and rent them out?

I'm selling my house in AZ and plan on moving to North Carolina, within an hour drive of Charlotte. If I buy a house on 6 acres can I build other houses on the land and rent them out?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 12, 2024

The ability to add additional properties on a 6-acre parcel and rent them out depends on the specific zoning regulations and land use restrictions imposed by the local jurisdiction in North Carolina. Zoning laws vary between municipalities, and they dictate how land can be used, including whether... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Mississippi on
Q: My father owned 160 acres of land in Mississippi. I have the deed. Racial discrimination ran us off of it. Wht can I do?

My uncle was shot and killed, and they tried to kill my dad and my brothers. So we had to pack up everything and leave. Our neighbors just didn’t want black neighbors at the time. This was around 1950 ,but I still have the deed.

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answered on Jan 10, 2024

Your situation is deeply troubling and highlights a painful part of history. Holding the deed to the land is significant, as it establishes a legal claim. First, you should confirm the current status of the property. This can be done by checking the latest property records in the county where the... View More

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