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 »
Housing projects across California face a familiar problem. Local agencies change zoning rules mid-project. Design standards multiply with each review. Hearings get continued indefinitely. A project that once looked straightforward can quickly become a moving target. SB 330, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, was designed to stop that cycle. The law limits many of… Read more »
Property owners rebuilding after a fire in Malibu or the Pacific Palisades face a coastal permitting system unlike anywhere else in California. The California Coastal Act generally requires a coastal development permit before any construction in the coastal zone. However, a specific exemption allows many fire victims to rebuild without that permit, provided the replacement… 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 »
Land Use Disputes with Local Governments Land use disputes with local governments can significantly affect property ownership, development plans, investment value, and long-term business operations. Cities and counties exercise broad authority over zoning, permitting, environmental review, redevelopment, infrastructure planning, and land use regulation. However, when local governments exceed their authority, impose unreasonable restrictions, or improperly… Read more »
What to Do After a Permit Denial A permit denial can significantly disrupt development plans, construction timelines, business operations, or property investment goals. Whether the denial involves zoning approvals, land use entitlements, environmental review, building permits, or conditional use permits, property owners should understand that a denial does not always mean the project is permanently… Read more »
When to Hire a Property Rights Lawyer Property rights disputes can arise when government action interferes with the ownership, use, value, or development potential of private property. In many situations, property owners are unsure whether a zoning restriction, permit denial, public project, or regulatory condition has crossed the line into a legal issue requiring representation…. 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 »
