A California property is bounded on one side by a river. Over the years, the river gradually shifts its course, adding land to the property. Under California law, what happens to the property boundary?
Correct Answer
A) The boundary moves with the river, and the landowner gains title to the newly added land through accretion
Under California Civil Code §1014, when land is gradually and imperceptibly added to a property by the natural action of water (accretion), the property boundary moves with the water, and the landowner gains title to the newly formed land. This is the doctrine of accretion, which applies when the change is gradual and natural.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
Police power is the government's authority to enact laws and regulations to protect the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. It is the broadest power government has over private property.
Restrictive covenants, also known as CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), are private agreements written into deeds or HOA documents that limit how property can be used. They are enforced by property owners, not the government.
Setback requirements are zoning regulations that specify the minimum distance a building or structure must be set back from property lines, streets, or other boundaries. They ensure adequate light, air, and space between structures.
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