A recent decision regarding commercial property in Orange County, California addressed one rare situation in which payment of property taxes may be required to establish a prescriptive easement.

Even California’s bent towards environmental protection could not prevent a court from agreeing that even trees may qualify as an unlawful “spite fence” in California. A “Spite Fence,” which may be prohibited by court order under California law, is defined as “[a]ny . . . structure” over 10 feet that was “maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying [a neighbor].”

California law imposes a duty on home buyers to perform inspections and charges them with knowledge of conditions that are patent and obvious.

Proposed California laws will increase the liability of those persons who prepare real property valuations, opine on the value of real property or influence appraisers.