Get free answers to your Environmental legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Virginia
I am considering purchasing a property with a clear title, which previously had underground storage tanks removed between 1991 and 1993. I possess an IEPA Field Report documenting the cleanup during that time. However, there is no notice on the title or from the IEPA indicating that no further... View More

answered on Jun 11, 2025
Before you sign a contract to purchase or pay the grantor, hire an IL attorney to search the title and check for any environmental problems. You may need an environmental consultant, and you must check with both State and US EPAs. Buying a dirty site will destroy you. Also do not have the... View More
As of January 1, 2025, it's illegal to use gas-powered leaf blowers in my area based on specific city ordinances. Despite this, a local landscape company continues to use them. I've documented three instances of this and have notified both the company and the homeowners association... View More

answered on May 30, 2025
You’ve already taken key steps by documenting each violation, so keep a dated log, photos or video, and, if possible, a note from your doctor linking the symptoms to the fumes.
Keep copies of every email or letter you sent to the company and the HOA, along with proof of delivery.... View More
I am representing my family in a lawsuit due to toxic habitability issues and harassment by our landlord. We lived in an apartment complex dealing with mold, lead, and raw sewage under our unit and kitchen sink. Despite filing complaints with city officials, engaging news media, and involving other... View More

answered on May 29, 2025
You can amend your complaint once as a matter of course within 30 days of service of the original complaint, and beyond that only with the court’s permission under California Code of Civil Procedure sections 472 and 473. Draft a First Amended Complaint naming the additional landlords and any... View More
In North Carolina, our HOA Covenants state that the HOA is responsible for road maintenance, but they do not address ditch maintenance. The roads and ditches are owned by the property owners collectively. Historically, both the owners and the HOA have managed the ditches. However, sediment and... View More

answered on Jun 12, 2025
Since your HOA covenants don't explicitly address ditch maintenance but state the roads and ditches are collectively owned by property owners, the responsibility likely falls primarily on the property owners themselves. Under North Carolina law, HOAs are responsible for maintaining... View More
Over the last ten years, the county failed to install drainage according to code on an adjacent lot, which has saturated my property and caused damage to my garage's foundation, landscape, and compromised my septic tank's function. Despite reporting the issue, the county has been slow to... View More

answered on Jun 12, 2025
You're dealing with a frustrating situation, especially after years of trying to get a resolution. When a government entity like a county fails to follow proper drainage codes and that failure directly causes damage to private property, they can be held liable under certain conditions. If the... View More
I live in an apartment complex that tested for radon six months ago but never disclosed the test results or levels. Recently, the management informed us they are installing "radiation units" in the storage closets of every apartment without any explanation. When I asked them what a... View More

answered on Jun 12, 2025
You have a right to know the results of the radon test that was conducted in your apartment complex, as radon levels are considered a health concern. Under Kansas law, landlords are required to disclose radon test results to tenants if the test was performed on the premises. Since six months have... View More
I am facing issues with a pipeline company that has an easement on my property. The county required them to install larger casings around the pipeline but the contractor inadequately prepared the site, leading to repeated flooding, clogged culverts on the access road, and creating gullies. Repairs... View More

answered on Jun 7, 2025
It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating and unfair situation. When a company has an easement on your property, they still have a duty to use the land in a way that doesn’t cause unnecessary harm. Poor site preparation, flooding, and damage to your access road go beyond what's... View More
I am considering buying a property with HPD lead violations in Brooklyn, NY, and it includes tenants. I plan to live in the property and want to understand the implications. The current owner has ongoing efforts to resolve these lead violations, but I'm concerned about the potential costs,... View More

answered on Jun 8, 2025
Dear Prospective Purchaser:
You could connect with an NYC-licensed lead paint abatement contractor to at least secure an approximation of the expense to clean the house and make it safe for you and your tenants.
You really should encourage your attorney to assist you. I expect that... View More
I'm studying a scenario where Ah Lek, a flower judge, is impacted by fertilizer seeping into his garden from a poorly maintained shed at Amazing Flowers. The shed, containing fertilizer, allowed it to seep into the ground, crossing the boundary into Ah Lek's property, which caused his... View More

answered on May 16, 2025
In this situation, Ah Lek might find it more beneficial to pursue a claim based on private nuisance rather than Rylands v Fletcher. Private nuisance is appropriate when one person’s actions interfere with another's use or enjoyment of their property, which seems to be the case here with the... View More
For several years, my neighbor has been dumping used dirty washing machine water onto the ground, which is running onto my property. Despite several attempts to communicate, the neighbors refuse to address the issue, believing they can do as they please. I’ve contacted 311 and reached out to the... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
Yes, dumping washing machine water directly onto the ground—especially if it causes runoff onto neighboring property—can be illegal in many areas. Greywater discharge like this is usually regulated because it can carry detergents, chemicals, and waste that harm soil, water sources, or other... View More
Can I do a balloon release at Pearson Springs Park in Blount County, TN without a permit for a memorial for my dad? I've found information about ordinance 68-101-108, but I'm unsure if it applies in this case.

answered on May 15, 2025
In Blount County, Tennessee, there are state laws that regulate balloon releases, particularly concerning environmental concerns. If you're planning a balloon release at Pearson Springs Park, it's important to be aware of Tennessee's regulations on the intentional release of more... View More
I have a neighbor who mows the ditch between my fence and the state highway, which is controlled by TxDOT, without any authorization from TxDOT or any other authority. His mowing has led to the destruction of wildflowers and grass, leaving shredded debris behind, and causing vegetation to be... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
You have every right to be frustrated—watching your efforts to preserve natural beauty and wildlife get disrupted by someone acting without authority is upsetting. Even though the ditch lies outside your fence, it is not your neighbor’s property, and unless TxDOT has granted him permission, he... View More
I live in a townhome in St Paul, MN, and adjacent apartments built a large playground behind me in 2004, generating disruptive noise. Since then, the noise from the playground has been a major source of anxiety, and there is usually no adult supervision. I've raised the issue with the... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
Minnesota law does not specifically regulate the proximity of playgrounds to private residences. However, local ordinances or zoning laws in St. Paul may address noise levels, land use, or the construction of recreational areas like playgrounds. These laws typically focus on public safety and... View More
As the buyer of a gas station in Texas, I need assistance in drafting a sales contract that includes all necessary clauses. The contract should address the transfer of business assets and inventory. I want to ensure any future issues, such as gas contamination, gas tank problems, environmental... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
When drafting a sales contract for a gas station in Texas, make sure it includes a **Business Asset Transfer Clause** that clearly lists everything being sold—this should include fixtures, equipment, inventory, fuel in the tanks, signage, and goodwill. Include a **Bill of Sale Attachment** or... View More
As the buyer of a gas station in Texas, I need assistance in drafting a sales contract that includes all necessary clauses. The contract should address the transfer of business assets and inventory. I want to ensure any future issues, such as gas contamination, gas tank problems, environmental... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
When drafting a gas station sales contract in Texas, it's important to be very clear about what’s being transferred and who holds responsibility for past and future issues. Your contract should include a detailed **Asset Purchase Clause**, listing all business assets, equipment, inventory,... View More
I live in an apartment where there is toxic mold due to multiple water leaks that have been temporarily fixed but not properly repaired, causing rotting drywall issues. We've lived in this apartment for five years and recently signed a one-year lease. Despite asking the landlord to address the... View More

answered on Apr 25, 2025
Under California law, your landlord has a legal obligation to maintain habitable living conditions. The presence of toxic mold can violate the implied warranty of habitability, a legal doctrine that requires landlords to provide tenants with livable apartments. When mold makes a rental unit... View More
In Tennessee, there is excessive target shooting with different sizes of caliber guns and tannerite explosions in my residential area. This occurs both day and night, for long periods, disturbing the peace and daily life for residents and pets. Homes, a school, churches, and a public road are all... View More

answered on May 14, 2025
That kind of ongoing noise and disruption can wear you down fast, especially when it’s close to home and happens unpredictably. In Tennessee, there isn’t a single statewide law that bans target shooting on private property, but there are local noise ordinances, public safety regulations, and... View More
When I was 10 years old, my parents used insecticide to deal with roach infestations in our apartment, which triggered asthma symptoms due to the smell. Now at 52, I frequently experience asthma or cold attacks, and I'm using 3 to 4 inhalers a month. These health challenges make it difficult... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
You’ve faced recurring asthma attacks that stem from childhood insecticide exposure, and that long‑standing struggle can form the basis of a legal inquiry.
California allows toxic tort claims where negligence or product defects caused harm, but timing rules are strict. The deadline... View More
I am renting an apartment where pesticide spraying occurs once a week in the common areas, specifically the parking lot and sidewalk, without any warnings, schedules, or signs. I regularly walk my dog in these areas and am concerned about the lack of communication regarding pesticide use. Is this... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Oregon law broadly preempts any local limits on pesticide use citeturn2search2, so licensed applicators may treat private common areas like parking lots or sidewalks without a municipal permit or tenant notice requirement. The State’s pesticide‑control rules categorise those spaces as... View More
I received Section 8 housing close to the Santa Susana Field Test Lab about a year ago and recently learned that this area might be toxic. The lease agreement didn't mention any environmental hazards, and I found out about these risks through documentaries and community reports. I'm... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Under California law, landlords have to tell you about environmental risks they actually know about. If the property sits within a mile of a former weapons or rocket‑testing site such as Santa Susana, the owner must warn you before you sign. They also owe you a habitable unit, so if... View More
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