Need Advice- Hope I posted this in the right forum

[p3r3z9696]

California-
In 1996 I had applied for a permit to build a garage on my property. After 12 years I received a letter from the Watershed Protection District that it was built on their easement. They have told me that I have to either move or tear down my garage. Everytime I contact them by phone or in person I get charged per minute. I have had my daughter talking to the city and she has even talked to the County supervisor neither of which is doing any good. Since the city I live in screwed up when they approved the permit and did all of the final sign offs on my garage, I believe that they should cop to their screw up but they won't. As for now with the economy they way it is money is tight. I still receive a bill every month from the Watershed Protection District and it never says what it is for. They have put a lein on my house, I feel like I have my hands tied together. Can anyone Please help with any advice. Thank You.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by p3r3z9696

California-
In 1996 I had applied for a permit to build a garage on my property. After 12 years I received a letter from the Watershed Protection District that it was built on their easement. They have told me that I have to either move or tear down my garage. Everytime I contact them by phone or in person I get charged per minute. I have had my daughter talking to the city and she has even talked to the County supervisor neither of which is doing any good. Since the city I live in screwed up when they approved the permit and did all of the final sign offs on my garage, I believe that they should cop to their screw up but they won't. As for now with the economy they way it is money is tight. I still receive a bill every month from the Watershed Protection District and it never says what it is for. They have put a lein on my house, I feel like I have my hands tied together. Can anyone Please help with any advice. Thank You.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

**A: stop calling and do everything in writing. You had ample time to resolve the issue.

[Cedrus]

When you write your letters to whomever, be sure that it is registered mail with a return receipt.

Go back to your documents when you purchased your property and see if the title report mentions this easement. Anything else in the paperwork? Did the seller mention easements ?

You might look in the yellow pages in your area for a real estate lawyer who advertises a free initial consultation.

[Zigner]

Just to be clear, the city permitting process doesn't take in to account easements listed on your title.

[12345672]

Originally Posted by Zigner

Just to be clear, the city permitting process doesn't take in to account easements listed on your title.

Some cities do, to an extent. A city where I previously lived asked when permits were applied for if there were additional easements, covenants, etc. that would restrict construction beyond the normal zoning restrictions. More of a reminder than anything since cities usually only check a fraction of the things they could.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner for everything to be done right. A city issuing a permit and passing the inspections doesn't mean everything is right, just the things they checked (if they did it right).

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by 12345672

Some cities do, to an extent. A city where I previously lived asked when permits were applied for if there were additional easements, covenants, etc. that would restrict construction beyond the normal zoning restrictions. More of a reminder than anything since cities usually only check a fraction of the things they could.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner for everything to be done right. A city issuing a permit and passing the inspections doesn't mean everything is right, just the things they checked (if they did it right).

**A: I agree.