Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I live amongst 12 other neighbors. We all have at least 5 acres in a secluded Canyon. The land was made public back in the 1940s or earlier (prior to the US Forestry). There is a County Paved Road that goes past the lots. To connect our land to the County Paved road is a Dirt road. Every lot has a legal easement so all the lots can have access to the County Paved Road. The first 100' or so is now owned by Angeles National Forest (US Forestry). They have decided they want to charge us a land use fee to access or homes.

Is this legal, if not, how do we respond to them?


Asked on 2/09/11, 3:21 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

This is not something you can get an internet answer to. It requires a review of the land titles and maps.

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Answered on 2/09/11, 4:12 pm
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

I suggest a committee of the neighbors arrange a meeting with local representatives of the USFS to determine the basis (if any) of their belief that they can charge you for use of an access road that is on an easement of record. My guess is that it will boil down to whether the easement exists or whether you have some lesser right, such as a license.

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Answered on 2/09/11, 5:13 pm


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