A fence running along the back of two properties looks like it marks the line between them. In many cases, it does. But a fence’s physical position is not the same as the legal property boundary. Fences shift over time, get replaced at different locations, or were built on assumptions that a survey later proves… Read more »
A property owner may believe the government has gone too far. A zoning restriction, permit denial, or development condition may appear to eliminate the property’s value or prevent any reasonable use. The owner may want to bring a constitutional takings claim immediately. But a potential taking is only part of the analysis. In a regulatory… Read more »
An easement gives someone a limited right to use another person’s property. When the government holds that right, the property owner still owns the underlying land. What the government can do on that land is defined by the easement’s terms and applicable law, not by what the government eventually decides it wants to do. The… Read more »
When a county charges a property owner with illegal grading, the consequences can be serious. A notice of violation can affect how an owner uses the land. It can also lead to enforcement proceedings, fines, or corrective-action requirements. Property owners facing enforcement may need to decide whether to accept the government’s position or challenge it…. Read more »
Property taxes in California do not reset to market value automatically each year. Proposition 13, adopted by California voters in 1978, limits how quickly assessed values rise while a property stays in the same hands. But when ownership changes, that protection generally does not transfer to the new owner. The assessor reassesses the property at… Read more »
California needs far more housing than it builds each year. The state falls short by an estimated 180,000 homes annually, creating ongoing pressure on housing affordability and supply. To address that shortage, the Legislature passed Assembly Bill 2011, the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022. AB 2011 allows affordable and mixed-income housing… Read more »
When a California government agency takes your property or damages it without following proper procedures, you have constitutional rights. Many property owners do not realize there are two different legal paths to challenge what happened: eminent domain and inverse condemnation. The difference between eminent domain vs inverse condemnation California property owners encounter can determine whether… Read more »
Owning property with another person can work smoothly for years. However, disputes often arise when co-owners disagree about selling, managing, or using the property. One owner may want to sell, while another refuses. Inherited homes, investment properties, and family-owned real estate frequently become the center of these conflicts. When negotiations fail, California law allows co-owners… Read more »
Buying a home should feel straightforward, but problems often appear after closing. A buyer moves in and discovers water damage behind walls, a cracked foundation, or unpermitted construction. At that point, frustration turns into a legal question: can you sue a seller for not disclosing property defects in California? In many cases, California law requires… Read more »
Short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo have become a major source of income for many homeowners in California. At the same time, homeowners associations (HOAs) have increased restrictions on rental activity in residential communities. This raises a key legal question: can an HOA legally ban short-term rentals in California in 2026? The answer… Read more »
