A California property owner sells the surface rights to a buyer but retains the mineral rights. Under California law, the mineral estate is now considered:
Correct Answer
C) A separate estate in real property that can be independently owned, sold, or leased
Under California law, mineral rights can be severed from surface rights, creating a separate mineral estate in real property. This mineral estate can be independently owned, sold, leased, mortgaged, or inherited — just like any other real property interest. Once severed, the two estates are legally distinct.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
Building codes are government regulations that set minimum standards for construction, materials, design, and safety in buildings. They protect public health and safety by ensuring structures are built to acceptable standards.
A certificate of occupancy (CO) is an official document issued by the local building department certifying that a building complies with building codes and is safe for occupancy. It is required before a building can be legally occupied.
A conditional use permit (also called a special use permit) allows a land use that is not automatically permitted by zoning but may be allowed under certain conditions. The use must be compatible with the surrounding area.
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