California Eminent Domain Report

I recently had the privilege of participating as a guest on The Eminent Domain Podcast to talk about trying an eminent domain case to a jury and my thought process around voir dire, opening statements and presentation of appraisal evidence. The Eminent Domain Podcast is ... 

Local governments—generally counties—impose property taxes on real estate pursuant to state law. Sometimes called ad valorem taxes, these property taxes are set based on the assessed value of the property. When a landowner does not pay their property tax, the law allows the county to foreclose on the property and sell it to another person.

The purpose of this sale is to make the county whole for the tax debt. In most states, if the property sells for more than the debt and there are excess proceeds, then the landowner receives the surplus after valid lienholders with priority are ...

In a recent article for Valuation magazine, “A Changing Landscape: How new state legislation may affect eminent domain valuation,” we examine how new and changed legislation can affect the role appraisers play in eminent domain actions, as well as how condemnation valuations are governed. ... 

Redevelopment agencies (RDAs) have held a rather infamous position in California history.  While originally created to address urban decay (aka “blight”), generally speaking, RDAs developed into entities that wielded the power of eminent domain to designate large areas of property “blighted,” acquire the property, and then hand it off to private developers.  The RDAs were motivated to engage in this behavior because they captured the increases in property tax revenues that resulted from the increase in property values caused by the urban renewal projects. This resulted ...

In eminent domain cases, it is uncommon that right to take challenges are upheld, and when they are, it is typically a procedural deficiency that can be cured. It is even more unusual where a right to take challenge is successful based on the condemning entity not possessing the power of eminent domain. But, that is exactly what recently happened with an eminent domain case in Northern California involving a popular excursion train – the Skunk Train. ...

We are excited to cohost Condemnation Summit XXIX with Gallagher & Kennedy on May 12, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ! Gallagher & Kennedy’s Jennifer Cranston and I have developed an outstanding agenda filled with educational and interactive presentations and plenty of networking. Subject matter experts will discuss a variety of topics, including:

• Arbitration for Condemnation Practitioners
• Temporary Construction Easements
• Access Issues
• Ethics for Real Estate Professionals and Attorneys
• Public Use Determinations

This all-day program encourages deeper conversations and social ...

In the most recent biannual report from the Real Estate Law Committee of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), we once again collaborated with Robert Thomas and Ajay Gajaria to examine numerous cases at local, state and federal levels from June to the end of December 2022 that are of interest for professionals in the right-of-way industry.

In the report, we also take a brief look at pending and adopted legislation, while also providing updates on federal funding and projects associated with the recent Infrastructure Bill. The report also examines a similarly notable case ...

Planning and constructing large public works projects can take years. When those projects will impact private property, owners are left in a difficult situation, as the cloud of condemnation hangs over their property, making it difficult to lease or sell. When do planning activities for public projects go too far, and trigger inverse condemnation liability? A recent court of appeal decision, Ramsey v. City of Chowchilla (2023 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 2147) provides some clarity on just how much flexibility is afforded to public agencies. ...

April 1st is an important milestone in California’s water year – marking the annual snowpack assessment and related drought determination. In the inaugural issue of Nossaman’s California Water Views – 2023 Outlook, our attorneys and policy advisors who are committed to the water sector identify the pivotal issues they’re watching now and for the year ahead.

Of particular interest to our readers, Brad Kuhn and Jillian Friess Leivas examine whether or not public agencies could face inverse condemnation liability for any flooding-related damages due to the recent storm ...

With all the recent storms in California, private property is bound to suffer impacts from storm water runoff, landslides, erosion and subsidence. Understanding whether the government bears responsibility for such damage is a complex and fact-specific analysis. However, a recent court of appeal decision, Shenson v. County of Contra Costa (2023 Cal. App. LEXIS 244), provides an excellent history on liability in these circumstances, and explains when natural watercourses, drainage improvements, and a public agency’s approval of development can trigger inverse ...