Get free answers to your Municipal Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am a contractor for a large utility company and on a recent job i absorbed a tremendous amount of profit loss because a local municipality did not locate abandoned underground utilities in an easement. By not doing so it cost us to go over our budget. Is there any way to hold them accountable? I... View More 
answered on Jun 18, 2019
Your best (only) bet is to complain about this situation to a few members of the city council and ask them how to file a "complaint" about the incident. Most if not all municipal governments carry liability insurance to avoid having to pay "damages" for not doing their job:... View More
There’s a small apartment building next to mine which is rented out on airbnb exclusively for parties. They usually party very late with loud music and can stay up all night. Earplugs don't help. As it’s different people every time, asking them to be quiet has gotten really old. The host... View More
answered on Mar 20, 2019
An attorney can definitely help you to solve this terrible problem. There are three issues to examine: (A) whether the AirBnB rental is legal to begin with, which will depend on your city zoning code and other ordinances, (B) whether the noise exceeds permissible noise levels specified in your... View More
There is a 72 year old female senior citizen who lives as a single woman in her "Safe Haven" homestead residence in Saint Petersburg, FL, with total annual income of $7,800 approx. which is well below the IRS poverty line limits. The city government of Saint Petersburg FL is repeatedly... View More
answered on Dec 12, 2018
Her homestead status protects her from foreclosure/eviction, not from fines. Also, her age does not protect her from fines. She needs to hire an attorney (or see if the local Legal Aid/Legal Services office can represent her) to contest the code violations at the hearing. Often, the code... View More
In my area (4 streets) every lot is zoned as Duplex. Either single family or duplex could be built. The interior setback (distance from property line between two lots) is minimum 7.5' in city Ordinance building code for DPX lots (also confirmed by Zoning department ).
Now, Builders are... View More
answered on Jul 13, 2018
Perhaps, although the city and building inspectors probably would prevail; if they are relying upon fraudulent surveys.
I'm not sure that a 10' separation between buildings would be a significantly greater fire hazard than a 30' separation, but you probably would need an... View More
If there is a time limit, how long is the trespass in effect for? I was just given a verbal warning by the store manager not to return. No paperwork or charges were filed. I am allowed to go to other stores with the same name; just not that location. (I asked the store manager upon him asking me to... View More
answered on Apr 4, 2018
You should not risk returning to that store location if you were told not to. You do not want to get arrested for trespassing. If you are able to go to other store locations but not one specific store, stay away from that store, period. No need to cause problems for yourself when you can go to... View More
I understand in Georgia you cannot open carry a knife longer than 5 inches. A man talked at a sporting goods store said it is illegal to open carry a knife in Florida, and from my understanding, it is legal.
answered on Feb 23, 2018
There doesn't appear to be a similar provision in Florida law. See
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0790/0790ContentsIndex.html&StatuteYear=2017&Title=%2D%3E2017%2D%3EChapter%20790
Florida Statute... View More
I keep a boat on the side of my yard behind a fence. The city is imposing a $100/day fine for violating the city ordinance of no recreational vehicles after hours and on weekends. It's on my private property. I am not part of an HOA or gated community. I have no plans to remove the boat. Is a... View More
answered on Oct 11, 2017
No way to say for sure without being able to review the ordinance and the paperwork you have received.
You need to hire an attorney to assist you as the fine is likely supported by the authority of the city as a governmental body.
Tree still attached and rooted in neighbor's yard, but landed on my house. Need removal
answered on Sep 20, 2017
I am sorry for your misfortune and I'm sorry to say, you are most likely responsible for repairs to the home and tree removal, unless you can prove your neighbor was negligent by not caring for a decayed tree or somehow the tree caused a dangerous condition and should have been trimmed or... View More
My wife has a name change issue from when she was in high school that is making her life difficult - we just moved to Florida and are not able to get a drivers licensce due to it.
answered on May 25, 2017
A family law attorney should be able to assist. Good luck!
answered on Mar 4, 2017
Typically if the house is going up for sale for unpaid property taxes then it could mean several things. 1st, it means that the owner has not paid the taxes. Typically if an owner does not pay the property taxes and there is a mortgage on the property the bank who holds the mortgage will step in... View More
1043 electors (29% of voters) have petitioned the City to reconsider an ordinance. The City Clerk has declared our petition insufficient based on some falsehoods and some specious interpretations of law. None of these insufficiencies are defined in the City Charter. We have counsel, but how do we... View More
answered on Aug 1, 2016
If your counsel cannot answer your question, perhaps he or she needs to consult with an attorney with more experience in municipal law.
Isis 55 months in the state prison I'm not sure the $1200 is for court fees are for the Chargers
answered on May 16, 2016
Ask your attorney, who will know more details about your case.
Does this mean the city's police have jurisdiction over the roadway abutting the property in question? The full roadway across to the other side of the street, or just half? What if the property on the other side is a different city?
answered on Oct 9, 2015
One has to read it all, not just what you have written, to get a conclusion about what you have asked.
answered on Aug 10, 2015
You must have an attorney in my opinion. Your second question indicates this very strongly.
If you have additional details about your question fill them here
Local Fire Department does not have key for fire data cabinet. The cabinet is clear and they can see the alarm history. The alarm greatly exceed dB requirements and it is difficult to communicate during an emeregency due to the noise. Condo is all concrete building.
answered on Aug 9, 2015
Already declared, by court? If so, read the order. You might have a right to appeal.
answered on Aug 9, 2015
Yes, if you have the proper authority and license to do so.
Grant a franchise to collect garbage without proper procedure?
answered on Aug 9, 2015
Not enough facts are given here. Perhaps a lawsuit can be filed.
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