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California Land Use & Zoning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: Above ground propane tank is below SDGE electrical lines with easement. Please see details below.

I have a quick legal question and would like your opinion. We live in Fallbrook, CA with big lots and open space but a fire zone. Unfortunately, we need to be on propane tank system. The tank is below SDGE electrical lines. Last November they mailed a letter saying it needs to be moved. I’m fine... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 22, 2024

Under California law, the responsibility for moving the propane tank generally depends on the terms of the easement and the specific circumstances surrounding the installation of the tank and the power lines. Since the tank was originally installed in the 1970s and possibly replaced in 2003, it is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: Does a secluded, inactive parking lot attached to an inactive restaurant still classify as a parking lot?

I currently have two 40’ shipping containers that I am using for storage. These containers are currently sitting on some inactive parking spaces that are part of a shut down restaurant. I have received a citation (GGMC9.16.040.140(F)) making claim that they are sitting on parking spaces. These... View More

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Jul 5, 2024

I believe a secluded, inactive parking lot attached to an inactive restaurant is a parking lot.

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3 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Civil Litigation and Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: Corporate building and parking lot is private own. We are having a charity event can the city charge a fee for permit?

My work is having a charity event and the city is saying they want to charge the company a fee for traffic flow and for the parking lot being blocked off for car show. But the building and parking lot is private own by corporate. Can the city charge for having an event on the business private... View More

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Jul 4, 2024

Yes, the city can charge for having an event on the business private property. A car show is well beyond the normal usage for which the property was zoned for.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: What are our rights regarding habitability and fair housing discrimination?

Health Issues: We have documented PTSD, anxiety, and depression, worsened by our living conditions.Persistent Problems: Ongoing pest infestations, leaks, noise, and unauthorized entries, despite complaints.Retaliation: Management has retaliated against us for raising issues and ignored... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 28, 2024

In California, tenants have significant rights when it comes to habitability and fair housing. Here are some key points relevant to your situation:

Habitability:

- Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, which includes addressing pest infestations, leaks, and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Elder Law, Land Use & Zoning and Small Claims for California on
Q: Can I sue my neighbor & HOA since my neighbor double parks in front of my garage preventing me from using our garage?

We have taken pics and sent emails to the HOA. All I'm told is that they escalated the problem. She just got a ticket. I called a tow number listed on the property and was told they could not tow her because it's not a red fire lane and they can get in trouble. Now the tow company said... View More

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answered on May 21, 2024

Based on the information you've provided, it seems that you have a valid concern and your neighbor's actions are causing significant inconvenience and distress. Under California law, you may have grounds for a legal claim against your neighbor and possibly your HOA. Here are a few points... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Banking and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: I have a document of thee FDIC. It states BMO Bank National Association (Certt#16571) what am I suppose to do with it?
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answered on May 7, 2024

If you have received an FDIC certificate for BMO Bank National Association (Cert #16571), it means that your deposits with this bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to the maximum amount allowed by law, which is currently $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Neighbor says the roots from my backyard tree is lifting some cement in her backyard, can she sue me?

From what I’ve been reading, it sounds like she can have the roots on her side be cut if an arborist says it won’t damage my tree’s health which I would be fine with.

If an arborist determined cutting those roots would end up killing my tree, I would also be okay with the neighbor... View More

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answered on Apr 17, 2024

In California, tree owners have certain responsibilities when it comes to damage caused by their trees, including root damage to neighboring properties. However, the specific circumstances of each case determine the legal outcome.

Here are a few key points to consider:

1. Reasonable...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Energy, Oil and Gas for California on
Q: Is Entergy required to compensate landowners for timber they cut to install new power distribution towers?

Our property is a 100 year bald cypress-Tupelo wetland. They want to clear cut 2 acres of timber. The compensation offered by Entergy was a small percentage of total land value with out timber. Entergy is required to purchase Mitigation credits to move there project forward.

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answered on Apr 4, 2024

Under California law, utility companies like Entergy are generally required to provide just compensation to landowners when they acquire property rights, such as easements, for the installation of power lines and related infrastructure. This includes compensating landowners for any damages to their... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: What to do about non-responsive property owners when there is a hazardous condition on their property?

A huge 250' redwood tree is leaning towards falling on my house. I have tried contacting the owner via mail, email, and phone. The RE agent who sold the parcel has also tried. But the owner is not responding, yet he is applying for a variance permit on the parcel, so he is still active. I... View More

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answered on Mar 30, 2024

Under California law, when you encounter a hazardous condition on someone else's property, such as a potentially dangerous tree, the first step is usually to make a reasonable attempt to notify the property owner of the hazard. It seems you've already done this through various means... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: Is it legal for a person to block off a deeded easement to try and create the closing of it

We feel he has forcibly blocked off the easement to show it’s been abandoned to ultimately shut it down altogether yet it would restrict our access to our property

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answered on Mar 24, 2024

Under California law, blocking off a deeded easement without legal justification or the consent of all parties who hold rights to it is generally not permitted. Easements are created to ensure access or other rights to property owners, and any attempt to unilaterally modify, obstruct, or terminate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Family Law, Land Use & Zoning and Native American Law for California on
Q: If I owned trust land by native American allotment and was under 18 and Father dead no native legal authorization parent

Could a lease be signed in affect with out legal rights being passed. The lease was for the USA government

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answered on Mar 22, 2024

Under federal regulations concerning Native American trust land, the management and leasing of such land for minors (those under 18) typically require the oversight and approval of a guardian or trustee. This is because minors are considered incapable of entering into binding contracts, including... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Energy, Oil and Gas, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for California on
Q: Can Edison charge to move an electric pole in my property? can I force Edison to move them for free?

I bought four years ago a 4 acres of land without any easement on the title. There is a pole in the center of the land with transformer and a hight voltage line crossing my lot and it belongs to Southern California Edison.

Edison wants to charge me $30,000.00 to move the pole. This is a... View More

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answered on Mar 7, 2024

Under California law, utilities like Southern California Edison generally have the right to install and maintain their infrastructure on private properties through easements or utility rights-of-way. However, if there was no easement recorded on your property title at the time of purchase, this... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: I'm stuck on the issue of maintenance responsibilities for the view fences/walls located in the back of homes.

I'm stuck on the issue of maintenance responsibilities for the view fences/walls located in the back of homes that are located between a private lot and an Association common area lot. Party walls are located between two private lots, not on the Association common area. Based on everything I... View More

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answered on Mar 7, 2024

In California, the responsibility for maintaining fences or walls between a private lot and an HOA common area is typically determined by the HOA's governing documents, such as the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions), bylaws, and any other applicable rules and regulations.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: we build a patio way in the back the owner of all land behind our fence said 50 ft where we build was his what do we do?

He told us he can selll at additional 12k that he new we bout expensive already and started a land line division but it’s bn a year this month and boy sure what’s going on he threatened me that he can pay us 500 to cut off lights on patio if worst case also he is mad cause we don’t have... View More

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answered on Mar 6, 2024

In California, if you've built a patio on land that turns out to belong to someone else, it's important to address the issue promptly to protect your investment and rights. The first step is to consult with a real estate attorney who can help you navigate the complexities of property law.... 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

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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 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?

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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 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

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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 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

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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 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

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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

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