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Land Use & Zoning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Gov & Administrative Law, Municipal Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: If electric power lines ask me to get estimate to move my resident in order to expand their right of way, who chooses?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 11, 2024

A Texas attorney could answer best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Sometimes a court decides, depending on nature of the matter and the respective positions of the parties. Large electric utilities usually have land use attorneys in their environmental affairs divisions. You could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Tennessee on
Q: What can I do about my neighbors using my shared driveway with a vacant residence? Can I legally block access?

My driveway connects to two properties, my own and a vacant residence. The neighbor on the other side of the vacant residence uses the driveway to go and dump scrap metal, junk cars, car parts in the vacant properties backyard, supposedly with the owners permission. The owner has been deceased for... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

Hire an attorney to search the titles of all properties involved, that is at least two. An easement needs to be recorded in the servient parcel's chain of title, not the dominant (the one that uses the ROW) parcel. Twenty years of use easily creates an easement by prescription. If no... View More

1 Answer | 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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Kentucky on
Q: Someone (I think my brother) has got the deed to our land out of our locked gun safe. What can I do?

I have been a victim of v2k and remote neural monitoring and have been for about 6 years, and by the way, it does exist. There is a will that states the estate will come to me, but what will happen if my brother has stolen the deed from our gun safe? He knows some guys in law enforcement and has... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

The only Deeds that count are the ones recorded at the Courthouse. If he has any unrecorded Deed that was never delivered to the grantee, it is not a complete transfer of title, for which you will have to file a suit for. Was the Will filed for Probate? If not, then it is of no effect, If... View More

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

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