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Florida Land Use & Zoning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Appeals / Appellate Law, Environmental and Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: Live in a CDD, adjacent to StormWater Area & wetland. Purchased for privacy. Area behind my home is floodzone AE.

There's a "No Public Access" permit condition in deed restrictions, "no public access" sign at entrance. The plat illegally shows "RECREATION"

People ignored the sign, talking and disturbing me at all hours. Property Mgmt sent a letter stating the area... View More

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Feb 19, 2022

You can use the “Find a Lawyer” link on this page. Lawyers cannot contact you first. The dismissal with prejudice seems very harsh just for not attaching the documents.

Q: Can I sue city to recover excessive fines?

I was fined 16k for violating city code on short term rentals. I moved so didn't receive the 1st notice warning and they did not post it at the house as required once returned. I received a notification to appear before special magistrate a few months later. I hadnt rented short term for a... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Feb 1, 2022

Sure anyone can sue anyone else at any time for anything--including this situation.

But I don't recommend trying it without a lawyer.

Whether you have a good claim or not depends on what the code violations were for.

Hire a lawyer to investigate this case and advise you on what to do.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: Can my next door neighbor build a fence on an easment

We share a driveway

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jan 29, 2022

If the fence would impair your use of your easement, no. Talk to the building department about any permit it has issued. Or, if nothing else would work, see an attorney about getting an injunction.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: If I am part of a shared easement with two other property owners, can I grant an easement of necessity to a third party?

I live in Okaloosa County Florida and I have two pieces of land that share a common easement with two other properties. The easement was created prior to the purchase to protect all parties as well as provide ingress/egress, access for utilities, etc. There is a neighboring property, located to the... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jan 26, 2022

You could grant an easement across your parcels, but that wouldn't do the owner of the landlocked parcel much good unless the other landowners were to do the same.

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Do I have any land rights?

I own a mobile home and have been in it for 20 years on the same land. Do not own the land been paying lot rent. Owner sold land and plans to rezone commercial. Served eviction. Do I have any legal options? People have told me about living there for a certain amount of time that I may have land... View More

Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Jan 25, 2022

No, the people do not know what they are talking about. What they may be trying to reference is "Adverse Possession", you can look this up, but this is not applicable to your circumstances because you have just been a renter, paying rent. If you have a lease or rental agreement, you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: What actions can I take against a neighbor who has placed items on my property?

I purchased a piece of property to build a new home, we have closed and the deed has been filed. The neighboring lot is also building a new home and their contractor has placed a dumpster and the spoils from digging a pool on my property without permission. How can I force them to remove it... View More

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on Jan 10, 2022

Trespass. You can sue them for trespassing.

2 Answers | Asked in Foreclosure, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My mom died June 17 I’m staying in her house with her husband and her brother. I have been paying the mortgage on time

Her husband is money hungry and wants to sell the house. She left a will I just found leaving everything to me what can I do thanks also husband signed a paper saying he does not help her with the mortgage at all please help

Jane Kim
Jane Kim pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 15, 2021

You must get a probate attorney and probate the will.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Agricultural Law and Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: Do the 7yrs in adverse possession claim in Florida starts the date of actual possession or the date you file the claim?
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Nov 19, 2021

The date of actual possession.

You refer to Florida Statute 95.18 Real property actions; adverse possession without color of title (one of the two adverse possession statutes in Florida):

"(1) When the possessor has been in actual continued possession of real property for 7...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: Limitation on parking due to zoning.

I live in Palm Beach County Florida and my landlord stated that the property is only zoned for 18 parking spaces. The building is classified as a multi-family dwelling and is 17,971 square ft. The lot is 1.53 acres

20 apartments with two bedrooms each.

Ample space for parking but... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Nov 6, 2021

You had best ask this question of the county planning and zoning agency.

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My dad an stepmother bought a piece of property together some years ago,she wanted to build a house on it.

My dad didn't want to put any money in the house to be built,so he did not. About 2yrs went by an my father took a nasty fall down the balcony stairs one night an now he has neurological problems an of course on medication. One evening i looked up the property an it use to be in both there... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 28, 2021

It wouldn't be your "inheritance" until he were to die. But you could talk to an attorney about possibly becoming his guardian and asking that the deed be set aside.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My Grandfather fought in court for his land since he had since he was 16. He built a small house there.

Then met my grandma and had 4 kids (never married). They broke up when my mom was in her early teens. He moved in with an other woman. Years later my grandma passes and his son lived in the home on and off. In Vieques there was some property thing that happened and his son put his name on that... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 5, 2021

So you're talking about property in Vieques, Puerto Rico? If so, you must consult an attorney who is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association (either a lawyer in Puerto Rico or one who is a member of that Bar but practices elsewhere). Also, even if you were talking about property in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: Me and my dad Signed a one-year lease at an apartment complex he’s not wanting to pay rent next month
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Sep 24, 2021

If the rent isn't paid, the landlord can evict both of you, if that's what you wanted to ask.

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: 3 of my 6 acres has been used by a neighbor for timber sales without my knowledge. Property is also landlocked. Options?
Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Sep 9, 2021

So you're talking about theft of your timber? If so, the options would be to call the police to initiate criminal charges and/or to file suit for your economic losses. Don't know why you think being landlocked is an issue.

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: I'm not sure what to say , I sent you a email not long ago . I'm 70yrs old and I own my house an land.

I've been served papers from the owner next-door to me is suing me about my property. there's a lot more issues with this.

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Sep 7, 2021

If you mean you directly sent an email to someone about your legal issue, you cannot re-contact that person by posting to the Justia site. You instead must contact that person directly. Or do you instead mean you previously posted your issue on the Justia site but no one responded? If you mean... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: I am in Florida. When i bought my house the property was fenced. This occurred in 1993. A person moved behind me and has

Lived there since 2013, but never said a word. Now, after cutting all the plants she had, she claims part of my fence was in her property. I paid for a survey and indeed a portion is, which means i would have to tear all lighting, palms, etc. Does the adverse possession law apply since she never... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jul 31, 2021

Probably, yes. Florida Statute 95.16 provides as follows (in pertinent part):

"Real property actions; adverse possession under color of title.—

(1) When the occupant, ... entered into possession of real property under a claim of title exclusive of any other right, founding...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can a manufactured house dealer force receipt of a house without them first getting a permit or us having the space?

Last month it's discovered that the easements require a 100' setback, not the 50' that shows up on the survey we were given by the seller which makes it impossible to build anything without a variance.  Got the meeting for that, all is well, hearing set for mid Sep. Friday my... View More

Jane Kim
Jane Kim pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 24, 2021

Your written agreement with the house dealer should have all the answers.

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: If there are multiple owners of a property, can one or two people do a quick claim deed for their portion

THERE ARE 45 OWNERS OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY, SOME WOULD LIKE TO SIGN IT OVER TO THE CITY WHERE WE LIVE. SOME DO NOT. CAN SOME PEOPLE DO A QUICK CLAIM AND BE FREE OF ANY OWNERSHIP/LIABILITY? OR MUST EVERYONE DO A QUICK CLAIM?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jul 23, 2021

Perhaps. How was this divided ownership come into existence? And what sort of potential liability are you concerned about? Strictly speaking, the grantee (the city) would have to accept the gift to make it complete.

It's "quitclaim", by the way; it means to surrender or...
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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning for Florida on
Q: Are they any lawyers on the pro bono list of lawyers whom handle very bad neighbor issues, involving a series of events?

Neighbor issues of on going events of harassment since December 19th-2020 to current. Some involves a fence I paid for $600.00 as I want reimbursement for all the emotional distress and damages he has done to the fence.. He has carpet tacks which he furiously bashed them to fence all across top and... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Jun 18, 2021

There is no "pro bono list of lawyers". I suggest you schedule a consultation with a general practice attorney in your area to at least obtain advice, if not also representation that should start with a cease & desist letter.

If you cannot afford to consult or hire a lawyer,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: Can a Florida HOA issue an amended approval a month after they approved something without the homeowners requesting it?

Our Florida HOA approved and certified our application for a tan fence even though our community guidelines call for white. A month later our fence co contacted the HOA telling them they approved a tan fence, at which time the HOA issued an amended approval for white fencing. Can they do that?

Barbara Billiot Stage
Barbara Billiot Stage
answered on Jun 13, 2021

If the fence hadn’t been installed yet, yes, they can correct their error. If the color wasn’t clear from the application, the HOA might be able to amend approval even if the fence was installed. If it was clear from the application the fence was tan, you asked for a variance and you installed... View More

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