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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 24Pt. 1Ch. 4Art. 7§ 33397 Property Use Restrictions Void

§ 33397 Property Use Restrictions Void

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 33397 Property Use Restrictions Void

Key Takeaways

  • •If a government agency buys land, old rules about how that land can be used (like 'no buildings here') don’t apply anymore.
  • •The agency must tell people 30 days before buying the land that those old rules will disappear.
  • •The agency can still follow new rules they make themselves for the land.
  • •People who had benefits from the old rules might get money if the law says they can.

Example

A neighborhood has a rule that says no tall buildings can be built on a piece of land. The city buys that land to build a new park.

The old 'no tall buildings' rule doesn’t matter anymore because the city now owns the land. The city must tell the neighbors 30 days before buying it that the rule is gone.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 33397 Property Use Restrictions Void

(a)  Any covenants, conditions, or restrictions existing on any real property within a project area prior to the time the agency acquires title to such property, which covenants, conditions, or restrictions restrict or purport to restrict the use of, or building upon, such real property, shall be void and unenforceable as to the agency and any other subsequent owners, tenants, lessees, easement holders, mortgagees, trustees, beneficiaries under a deed of trust, or any other persons or entities acquiring an interest in such real property from such time as title to the real property is acquired by an agency whether acquisition is by gift, purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise. (b)  Thirty days prior to the acquisition of real property other than by eminent domain, the agency shall provide notice of such acquisition and the provisions of this section to holders of interests which would be made void and unenforceable pursuant to this section as follows: (1)  The agency shall publish notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which the agency is functioning. (2)  The agency shall mail notice to holders of such interests if such holders appear of record 60 days prior to the date of acquisition. The agency may accept any release by written instrument from the holder of any such interest or may commence action to acquire such interest after the date of acquisition of the real property. (c)  This section shall not apply to covenants, conditions or restrictions imposed by a redevelopment plan or by an agency pursuant to a redevelopment plan. This section also shall not apply to covenants, conditions or restrictions where an agency in writing expressly acquires or holds property subject to such covenants, conditions, or restrictions. This section shall not limit or preclude any rights of reversion of owners, assignees, or beneficiaries of such covenants, conditions, or restrictions limiting the use of land in gifts of land to cities, counties, or other governmental entities. This section shall not limit or preclude the rights of owners or assignees of any land benefited by any covenants, conditions, or restrictions to recover damages against the agency if under law such owner or assignee has any right to damages. No right to damages shall exist against any purchaser from the agency or his successors or assigns, or any other persons or entities. (Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 880.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

acquisitioneasementportreleasepropertytenantdeedmortgage

Related Statutes

  • § 33390 Real Property Definition
  • § 7904 Cemetery Land Removal Declaration
  • § 129165 State Property Management Powers
  • § 52535 Preserving Affordable Housing Units
  • § 33320.2 Noncontiguous Redevelopment Area Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 33397.
View Official Source