Willow Bend v. City of Holtville CA4/1 (2014) · DecisionDepot
Willow Bend v. City of Holtville CA4/1
California Court of Appeal Aug 21, 2014 No. D062980Unpublished
Filed 8/21/14 Willow Bend v. City of Holtville CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WILLOW BEND, LLC, et al., D062980
Plaintiffs, Cross-Defendants and Appellants, (Imperial County Super. Ct. No. v. ECU04728)
CITY OF HOLTVILLE,
Defendant, Cross-Complainant and Respondent.
APPEALS from a judgment and an order of the Superior Court of Imperial
County, Jeffrey B. Jones, Judge. Judgment affirmed; order affirmed in part, reversed in
part and remanded.
Larry M. Hoffman for Plaintiffs, Cross-Defendants and Appellants.
Walker & Driskill, Steven M. Walker and Martin A. Gonzalez for Defendant,
Cross-Complainant and Respondent.
This is a dispute over the operation of a mobile home park in the City of Holtville
(the City) on property the City rezoned from residential to commercial. Willow Bend,
LLC (Willow Bend) and Steve Selinger sued the City for inverse condemnation and
common law torts, and the City cross-complained against them and Barton Properties,
Inc. (Barton) for declaratory relief and other counts. The trial court granted the City
summary judgment on the complaint and after trial on the cross-complaint ruled in favor
Willow Bend and Selinger appeal the judgment, contending the grant of the City's
summary judgment motion was improper because the City omitted material language
from a portion of the ordinance, thereby indicating that all nonconforming uses would
automatically expire seven years after the effective date of the ordinance, when actually a
nonconforming use could continue if it met certain performance standards for a
commercial zone, an issue on which the City presented no evidence. Willow Bend also
contends the court erred by limiting the scope of declaratory relief on the City's cross-
complaint. Additionally, Willow Bend, Selinger and Barton appeal an order denying
their motion for attorney fees for defeating the cross-complaint's causes of action brought
under the Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL). (Civ. Code, § 798 et seq.)
We affirm the judgment. We reverse the order insofar as it concerns Barton, and
remand the matter for further proceedings on the issue of attorney fees. In all other
respects, we affirm the order.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Jack M. Petty, Jr., owned a 34-lot mobile home park (the Park) located in the City.
In June 2000, the City enacted Ordinance No. 441 to rezone the Park property from R-4,
residential, to C-2, general commercial. Petty recalls reading a newspaper article in 2001
2
pertaining to the rezoning. In a June 2006 letter, the City notified Petty that because of
the rezoning his right to operate the Park would expire in approximately June 2007. Petty
never challenged the rezoning.
In October 2006, Petty sold the Park to Willow Bend, whose owner is Selinger.
Before the close of escrow, Petty provided Selinger with copies of the 2001 newspaper
article, the City's June 2006 letter, and a real estate statement that disclosed the rezoning.
Willow Bend continued to operate the Park under a permit issued by Imperial
County. In a July 2007 letter, the City notified Willow Bend that the Park was a
nonconforming use. In 2007 and 2008, the City's fire department sent notices to Willow
Bend "concerning the Park's violations of certain codes and ordinances," and notices to
the Park's residents stating "the Park had nonconforming status, and that recreational
vehicles were not permitted under Ordinance No. 441."
In October 2008, Willow Bend and Selinger sued the City. In May 2009, they
filed the operative third amended complaint (TAC), alleging inverse condemnation and
various common law torts.1 In summary, the TAC alleged the City had not identified
any rezoning ordinance affecting the Park, and in any event a rezoning was void because
the City did not hold a public hearing on the matter in violation of a Government Code
provision. Further, the TAC alleged the City damaged Willow Bend by wrongfully
1 The TAC included counts for (1) declaratory relief; (2) injunctive relief; (3) violation of Article 1, section 19 of the California Constitution, pertaining to eminent domain; (4) and (5) violation of the equal protection and due process clauses of the federal and state constitutions (U.S. Const. Amend. 14; Cal. Const., art. 1, § 7); (6) negligence; (7) nuisance; (8) trespass; (9) negligent interference with prospective economic relations; and (10) intentional interference with contractual relations. 3
attempting to close the Park, by threatening residents with fines and imprisonment if they
did not move out within 30 days and by inflating the Park's utility bills.
The City cross-complained against Willow Bend, Selinger, and Barton, as another
alleged owner of the Park. In January 2010, the City filed the operative second amended
cross-complaint (SACC), for nuisance, negligence per se, and declaratory and injunctive
relief. The nuisance and negligence per se counts alleged the Park was not properly
maintained in violation of statutory regulations. The declaratory relief count identified
Ordinance No. 441, and alleged it "required that all non-conforming uses be terminated
within seven years of its execution." The City sought a declaration of the parties'
respective rights and obligations, and an injunction prohibiting operation of the Park.
In February 2010, the City moved for summary judgment on the TAC, arguing in
relevant part that all counts were barred by the 90-day statutes of limitation applicable to
a challenge to the enactment of a rezoning ordinance. (Gov. Code, §§ 65009 &
66499.37.) In its memorandum of points and authorities and its separate statement of
undisputed facts, the City quoted a provision of Ordinance No. 441, appearing in chapter
17.58, section 17.58.050 of the City's Municipal Code (hereafter section 17.58.050), as
follows: "The right to operate and maintain nonconforming uses in industrial and
commercial zones shall terminate . . . within seven years of the effective date of the
ordinance codified in these regulations." The City argued that under section 17.58.050,
the Park automatically "became an illegal nonconforming use as of June 12, 2007."
(Italics added.)
4
In full, however, section 17.58.050 provides: "The right to operate and maintain
nonconforming uses in industrial and commercial zones shall terminate if the use is not
made to comply with the performance standards of that zone within seven years of the
effective date of the ordinance codified in these regulations."2 (Italics added.) The City
did not allege or offer any evidence that the Park had not complied with the performance
standards for a commercial zone.
Section 17.58.050 was a public document readily available to Willow Bend and
Selinger. In their opposition, however, they did not point out to the court that the City
had omitted material language from section 17.58.050, or even cite the section. Rather,
they argued Ordinance No. 441 was not effective since the City violated Government
Code section 65863.7 by not filing and serving a report on the potential impact of the
rezoning or take any steps to mitigate the impact on residents of the Park. Alternatively,
Willow Bend and Selinger argued that even assuming Ordinance No. 441 was effective in
2000, the Park could not be designated nonconforming until June 2015.3 They also
2 The City's performance standards pertain to electrical disturbances or changes in temperature or glare, incineration and storage of flammable and explosive materials, noise, use of radioactive materials, vibration, outdoor storage, emanation of air contaminants, minimum lot sizes and building heights, and landscaping.
3 Willow Bend and Selinger did cite another provision of Ordinance No. 441, found in chapter 17.58, section 17.58.020(A) of the City's Municipal Code, which provides: "Nonconforming uses shall be those uses in any zone that are not provided for in the permitted or conditional uses for each zone. Such uses shall be determined within 15 years of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, or from the date such uses become nonconforming, whichever is later." The City argued this provision "is inapplicable as it appears to provide a general catch-all 15-year period of operation for nonconforming uses. In contrast, section 17.58.050 provides the specific termination 5
argued the 90-day limitations period did not accrue until the City began sending letters to
the tenants of the Park indicating they had to leave, because until that point they suffered
no damages.
The court rejected Willow Bend and Selinger's argument on the 90-day issue,
noting it "flies directly in the face of the purpose of the statute[s], which [are intended] to
lend some finality to these decisions, so that they're not chewed on for years, and years,
and years." The court also noted that if a rezoning "negatively affects the property at all,
it has caused appreciable harm." The court granted the City summary judgment
explaining that even if there were irregularities in the adoption of Ordinance No. 441, the
time for challenging it had long expired.
The case proceeded on the City's SACC. On the date scheduled for trial, the City
dismissed all causes of action against Selinger and Barton, and the nuisance and
negligence per se causes of action against Willow Bend.
The parties submitted the SACC's causes of action for declaratory and injunctive
relief on stipulated facts, with Willow Bend conceding Ordinance No. 441 was properly
enacted and it rendered the Park a nonconforming use.4 Willow Bend disputed, however,
that the Park was an illegal nonconforming use subject to forced closure. Willow Bend
argued section 17.58.050 "allows such a nonconforming use to continue indefinitely,
period ([seven] years) for all nonconforming uses within industrial and commercial zones."
4 In 2009, the City enacted Ordinance No. 469, which rezoned the Park property to DT [downtown]-B, for mixed commercial, retail and residential use, the latter by conditional use permit only. This does not affect our analysis. 6
provided only that it is made to comply with the performance standards of that zone
within seven years," and the "City has never alleged, let alone offered evidence to prove,
that the Park was not in compliance with these performance standards."
The court issued a tentative decision denying the City any declaratory or
injunctive relief. The court explained the City had not proved the Park was an abatable
nonconforming use, since "section 17.58.050 provides that a nonconforming use may
continue beyond [seven] years if the use is made to conform to the performance standards
of the zone. Here, there is no evidence (i.e., stipulated fact) addressing the issue of
whether the mobile[]home park conforms to the performance standards of its zone."
Further, the court determined the City did not prove it complied with procedural
prerequisites for forcing closure of the Park. To the contrary, the City stipulated it had
not filed and served an impact report as required by Government Code section 65863.7.
At the hearing, the City conceded it was not entitled to injunctive relief to close
the Park because it offered no proof the Park was not in compliance with performance
standards for a commercial zone. In August 2012, the court entered a judgment denying
the SACC's prayer for injunctive relief, but granting its prayer for a declaration that the
Park was a nonconforming use. The judgment was also for the City on the TAC, and it
designated the City the prevailing party in the litigation.
Willow Bend, Selinger and Barton then moved for $298,502.10 in attorney fees
under Civil Code section 798.85 for defeating the SACC's causes of action for nuisance
and negligence per se, which they argued arose out of the MRL. (Civ. Code, § 798 et
7
seq.) The court denied the motion on the ground the City prevailed in the litigation
overall.
DISCUSSION
I
The City's Motion to Dismiss
The City urges us to dismiss Willow Bend and Selinger's appeal of the judgment
because it was filed more than 60 days after the superior court clerk served the parties
with a file-stamped copy of the judgment. The time limit for an appeal is jurisdictional.
"We are powerless to extend the time to file a notice of appeal, or to hear untimely
appeals." (In re Marriage of Mosley (2010) 190 Cal.App.4th 1096, 1101.)
Ordinarily, a notice of appeal must be filed within 60 days after the superior court
clerk mails the parties a file-stamped copy of the judgment. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule
8.104(a)(1)(A).)5 That time is extended, however, when a party "serves and files a valid
notice of intention to move for a new trial" (Id., 8.108(b)), italics added), until 30 days
after the superior court clerk mails an order denying the motion or a notice of entry of an
order denying the motion. (Id., 8.108(b)(1)(A).)
Shortly after the court ruled on the City's summary judgment motion, Willow
Bend and Selinger moved for a new trial on the TAC. The court denied the motion.
More than two years later, after entry of judgment on the TAC, Willow Bend and
Selinger filed another motion for a new trial. The court also denied this motion.
5 Further rule references are to the California Rules of Court. 8
The City contends the second notice of intention was not a valid notice, based on
the court's finding it was actually an application for reconsideration of the first motion for
a new trial, but it was improper because it did not include an affidavit stating "what
application was made before, when and to what judge, what order or decisions were
made, and what new or different facts, circumstances, or law are claimed to be shown."
(Code Civ. Proc., § 1008, subd. (a).) Alternatively, the court denied the motion for lack
of specificity.
We disagree with the court's finding. A notice of intention for a new trial may be
filed after entry of judgment, or "[a]fter the decision is rendered and before the entry of
judgment." (Code Civ. Proc., § 659, subd. (a)(1), (2).) In the context of a summary
judgment motion, a notice of intention is premature if it is filed before entry of an order
granting the motion. (Sole Energy Co. v. Petrominerals Corp. (2005) 128 Cal.App.4th
187, 195; Collins v. Sutter Memorial Hosp. (2011) 196 Cal.App.4th 1, 11; 8 Witkin, Cal.
Procedure (5th ed. 2008) Attack on Judgment in Trial Court, § 56, p. 642 (Witkin).) A
premature notice of intention is void, depriving the court of jurisdiction to grant a new
trial. (Id., § 57, p. 642.) "The adverse party cannot waive the jurisdictional defect either
expressly or by participation in the hearing." (Ibid.)
Willow Bend and Selinger's first notice of intention was premature because they
filed it before the court entered its order granting the City's motion for summary
9
judgment.6 "Although a notice of motion for new trial is improperly premature, . . . a
new and proper notice may subsequently be given. This will be treated as a valid
independent motion, and the earlier notice . . . does not constitute a waiver." (Witkin,
supra, § 57, p. 643; Peters v. Anderson (1931) 113 Cal.App. 158, 160 [second motion for
new trial deemed original motion].) Thus, the second notice of intention was original and
extended the time to appeal under rule 8.108(b)(1)(A).
We also reject the City's assertion the second notice of intention was not valid
because it did not specify the motion "will be made upon affidavits or the minutes of the
court, or both . . . ." (Code Civ. Proc., § 659, subd. (a).) The California Supreme Court
has rejected the view that noncompliance with this requirement is jurisdictional. (Nichols
v. Hast (1965) 62 Cal.2d 598, 600.) The court explained: "It is now implicit in the
statement of the grounds of the motion whether it will be made upon affidavits or the
minutes of the court or both," and "when a notice of motion for a new trial clearly states
the grounds on which it will be made, it would be an abuse of discretion to deny the
motion solely on the ground that it did not state whether it would 'be made upon
affidavits or the minutes of the court or both.' " (Id. at p. 601.) It is immaterial that
Willow Bend and Selinger neglected to support their actual motion with an affidavit, as a
6 Willow Bend and Selinger's first notice of intention was filed on May 13, 2010, and the court's order granting the City's motion for summary judgment was filed on July 13, 2010. The court entered a minute order on its ruling on April 26, 2010, but it was not intended to be the court's order. Rather, the minute order states, "Moving party is to prepare the orders." 10
valid notice of intention extends the appeal time. (Rule 8.108(b)(1)(A).) We deny the
motion to dismiss.
II
Summary Judgment on the TAC
Willow Bend and Selinger concede that the TAC's allegations challenging the
validity of Ordinance No. 441 were time-barred. They contend, however, that summary
judgment was improper because the TAC also contained allegations that the City
damaged them by wrongfully attempting to shut down the Park, and those allegations are
unrelated to the effectiveness of the rezoning. They assert the City prevailed on those
claims by omitting material language from section 17.58.050 and misleading the court
into believing all nonconforming uses automatically became illegal seven years after the
rezoning, when the full text of the section shows such uses could continue if they
complied with the performance standards of a commercial zone.
A defendant moving for summary judgment "bears an initial burden of production
to make a prima facie showing of the nonexistence of any triable issue of material fact."
(Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850.) If the defendant "carries
his burden of production, he causes a shift, and the opposing party is then subjected to a
burden of production of his own to make a prima facie showing of the existence of a
triable issue of material fact." (Ibid.) "On appeal after a motion for summary judgment
has been granted, we review the record de novo, considering all the evidence set forth in
the moving and opposition papers except that to which objections have been made and
sustained." (Guz v. Bechtel National, Inc. (2000) 24 Cal.4th 317, 334.)
11
Willow Bend and Selinger do not show the court's ruling was erroneous based on
the evidence the parties presented during the motion. The City's selective quotation of
section 17.58.050 indicated that all uses made nonconforming by Ordinance No. 441
would automatically terminate within seven years of the ordinance's effective date. The
court could not be expected to question the City's use of an ellipsis in quoting section
17.58.050. In opposing the motion, it was incumbent on Willow Bend and Selinger to
protect their rights, but they did not even cite section 17.58.050. In their second motion
for a new trial, they stated it "did not occur" to their attorney that the City had omitted
material language. They concede the court was not provided with the full text of section
17.58.050 for approximately two years, until trial on the SACC.7
7 At oral argument, the City asserted the TAC allegations pertained only to the validity of its enactment of Ordinance No. 441, and its summary judgment motion was directed exclusively to the 90-day statutes of limitation period for a challenge to a rezoning ordinance. The City asserted its motion did not pertain to section 17.58.050, or the seven-year issue, and thus its omission of critical language from section 17.58.050 in its motion was immaterial. The record, however, does not support the City's position. The TAC included general allegations, incorporated into each of the 10 causes of action, that the plaintiffs were damaged by the City's wrongful attempt to close the Park based on a "seven-year 'sunset provision' " included in a "modification of its general plan . . . adopted in or about June 2000." The TAC also alleged that in a July 2008 letter, the City advised Selinger the Park was a "legal non-conforming use through June, 2007," but it was "now in a zone where mobile home parks are prohibited." The nuisance cause of action alleged that in July 2008 the City "began [its] campaign of harassment aimed at Plaintiffs, in which [it] repeatedly attempted to force closure of the Park without any legal support," and sent letters to residents of the Park "demanding that [they] vacate, thereby threatening Plaintiffs' ability to collect rent and protect their income flow." To prevail on summary judgment, the City was required to produce evidence showing its alleged conduct was not wrongful as a matter of law, an issue separate from the 90-day statutes of limitation period applicable to the TAC allegations challenging the validity of the rezoning ordinance. In its separate statement, the City partially quoted section 17.58.050 to show 12
Since the court did not err by granting summary judgment, Willow Bend and
Selinger cannot obtain appellate relief absent a successful challenge of the court's denial
of their motion for a new trial. "[N]ew trial motions are creatures of statute, ' "the
procedural steps . . . for making and determining such a motion are mandatory and must
be strictly followed [citations]." ' " (Wall Street Network, Ltd. v. New York Times Co.
(2008) 164 Cal.App.4th 1171, 1193.) The denial of a motion for a new trial is cognizable
on appeal of the underlying judgment. (Walker v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Willow Bend and Selinger, however, do not challenge the court's ruling on their
new trial motion. Accordingly, they have forfeited appellate review of the matter.
" ' "Issues do not have a life of their own: if they are not raised or supported by argument
or citation to authority, we consider the issues waived." ' " (Paulus v. Bob Lynch Ford,
Inc. (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 659, 685.) "The reviewing court is not required to make an
independent, unassisted study of the record in search of error or grounds to support the
judgment. It is entitled to the assistance of counsel." (9 Witkin, Cal. Procedure (5th ed.
2008) Appeal, § 701, p. 769.)
III
Declaratory Relief on the SACC
Additionally, Willow Bend contends the court abused its discretion by limiting the
scope of the City's declaratory relief on the SACC. A declaratory relief action may be
it was an undisputed material fact that nonconforming uses automatically terminated within seven years of the ordinance's effective date. The trial court presumably relied on the City's selective citation of 17.58.050 in finding its alleged conduct was not actionable. 13
brought in cases of "actual controversy relating to the legal rights and duties of the
respective parties." (Code Civ. Proc., § 1060.) "One purpose of declaratory relief is
' " 'to liquidate doubts with respect to uncertainties or controversies which might
otherwise result in subsequent litigation.' " ' [Citation.] ' " 'One test of the right to
institute proceedings for declaratory judgment is the necessity of present adjudication as a
guide for plaintiff's future conduct in order to preserve his legal rights.' " ' " (American
Meat Institute v. Leeman (2009) 180 Cal.App.4th 728, 741-742.)
" 'Whether a claim presents an "actual controversy" within the meaning of Code of
Civil Procedure section 1060 is a question of law that we review de novo.' [Citation.]
When an actual controversy does exist, Code of Civil Procedure section 1061 gives the
trial court discretion to determine whether it is 'necessary' and 'proper' to exercise the
power to provide declaratory relief. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1061.) A trial court's decision to
exercise that power is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard of review."
(American Meat Institute v. Leeman, supra, 180 Cal.App.4th at p. 741.)
Willow Bend asserts that in addition to declaring the Park a nonconforming use
under Ordinance No. 441, the court should have determined whether section 17.58.050
automatically made any nonconforming use illegal seven years after the ordinance's
effective date, or whether a nonconforming use was legal if within the seven years it
complied with performance standards.
14
We find no error or abuse of discretion. By the time of trial, there was no
controversy on the meaning of section 17.58.050.8 Rather, the City conceded section
17.58.050 did not automatically make the Park an illegal nonconforming use, and the
City was not entitled to injunctive relief because it provided no proof the Park had not
complied with performance standards. Willow Bend asserts the court should have
determined whether the Park was a legal or illegal nonconforming use, but such a
declaration would have been improper. As the court explained, "I have insufficient
evidence to resolve that issue because I don't have any evidence on the performance."
IV
Attorney Fees
A
Finally, Willow Bend, Selinger and Barton contend the court erred by denying
their motion for attorney fees based on the City's dismissal of the SACC's causes of
action for nuisance and negligence per se, which they argued arose out of the MRL. We
disagree as to Willow Bend and Selinger, but agree as to Barton.
" 'In California, mobile[]home tenancies are governed by the [MRL]. (Civ. Code,
§ 798 et seq.) The law "extensively regulates the landlord-tenant relationship between
mobile[]home park owners and residents." [Citation.] [¶] The protections afforded by
the [MRL] reflect legislative recognition of the unique nature of mobile[]home tenancies.
8 We also note there was no controversy at trial as to whether the Park was a nonconforming use under Ordinance No. 441. It is unclear why trial on the SACC was necessary. 15
[Citation.] Ordinarily, mobile[]home park tenants own their homes but rent the spaces
they occupy. [Citation.] Once a mobile[]home is in place in a park, it is difficult to
relocate. [Citations.] Its owner thus "is more likely to be a long-term resident."
[Citation.] In many cases, mobile[]home park tenants have limited and undesirable
options if they find "living in the park no longer desirable, practical, or possible. . . ."
[Citation.]' [Citation.] The MRL provides 'homeowners a measure of stability and
predictability in their mobile[]home park residency. . . .' " (SC Manufactured Homes,
Inc. v. Canyon View Estates, Inc. (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 663, 673.)
The MRL's attorney fees statute provides: "In any action arising out of the
provisions of this chapter the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's
fees and costs. A party shall be deemed a prevailing party for the purposes of this section
if the judgment is rendered in his or her favor or where the litigation is dismissed in his or
her favor prior to or during the trial, unless the parties otherwise agree in the settlement
or compromise." (Civ. Code, § 798.85, italics added.) Although " '[a]n order granting or
denying an award of attorney fees is generally reviewed under an abuse of discretion
standard of review,' " the issue " ' "whether the criteria for an award of attorney fees and
costs [under Civil Code, section 798.85] have been met' " . . . is a question of law subject
to de novo review." (MHC Financing Limited Partnership Two v. City of Santee (2005)
" 'The fundamental purpose of statutory construction is to ascertain the intent of
the lawmakers so as to effectuate the purpose of the law.' " (Realmuto v. Gagnard (2003)
110 Cal.App.4th 193, 199.) "The words of the statute are the starting point. 'Words used
16
in a statute . . . should be given the meaning they bear in ordinary use. [Citations.] If the
language is clear and unambiguous there is no need for construction, nor is it necessary to
resort to indicia or the intent of the Legislature . . . .' [Citation.] If the language permits
more than one reasonable interpretation, however, the court looks 'to a variety of extrinsic
aids, including the ostensible objects to be achieved, the evils to be remedied, the
legislative history, public policy, contemporaneous administrative construction, and the
statutory scheme of which the statute is a part.' " (Wilcox v. Birtwhistle (1999) 21 Cal.4th
973, 977, 978.)
The court found Civil Code section 798.85 unambiguously prohibited an award of
attorney fees. The court reasoned that the terms "judgment" and "litigation" show the
Legislature intended to allow fees only when the requesting party prevailed on "all of a
lawsuit," rather than merely on one or more MRL causes of action within a lawsuit.
We agree that Civil Code section 798.85 cannot reasonably be interpreted to mean
that a party who prevails only on an MRL cause of action, but loses the overall litigation
and suffers an adverse judgment, is a "prevailing party" entitled to fees. The term
"Litigation" is defined as: "A lawsuit. Legal action, including all proceedings therein."
(Black's Law Dict. (5th ed. 1979) p. 841, col. 2.) The term "Judgment" is defined as:
"The official and authentic decision of a court of justice upon the respective rights and
claims of the parties to an action or suit therein litigated and submitted to its
determination. . . . The law's last word in a judicial controversy, it being the final
determination by a court of the rights of the parties upon matters submitted to it in an
action or proceeding." (Id. at p. 755, cols. 1-2.)
17
Moreover, there is but one "judgment" in a particular litigation. (Kurwa v.
Kislinger (2013) 57 Cal.4th 1097, 1107.) "The one final judgment rule does not permit
parties 'to separate [their] causes of action into two compartments for separate appellate
treatment at different points in time.' " (Ibid.) Had the Legislature intended that Civil
Code section 798.85 authorize attorney fees for prevailing on only the MRL portion of
litigation, it could easily have said so.9 We conclude the statute precludes an award of
fees to Willow Bend and Selinger.
B
1
Barton's situation is different, however, because it was not a party to the TAC and
the City dismissed it from every count in the SACC, after stipulating its "only
involvement . . . is as some sort of management group." Thus, the litigation was
dismissed in its favor within the meaning of Civil Code section 798.85.
The City contends attorney fees are nonetheless unavailable because none of the
causes of action in the SACC arose out of the MRL. The trial court determined "there is
no doubt that the cross-complaint did arise -- or at least certain claims in it did arise out
of [the MRL]," and we agree.
"To be entitled to attorney fees and costs pursuant to [Civil Code] Section 798.85,
the underlying case must arise in the context of those relationships and claims addressed
9 For instance, California's Eminent Domain Law (Code Civ. Proc., § 1230.010 et seq.) provides for attorney fees when "[t]he proceeding is wholly or partially dismissed for any reason." (Id., §§ 1268.610, subd. (a)(1), italics added, 1235.140.) 18
by the MRL. It is not sufficient that the case 'relates to' the MRL." (SC Manufactured
Homes, Inc. v. Canyon View Estates, Inc., supra, 148 Cal.App.4th at p. 675.) "In various
contexts, courts have construed the phrases 'arising out of' and 'arising under' more
narrowly than the phrase 'relating to.' " (MHC Financing Limited Partnership Two,
supra, 125 Cal.App.4th at p. 1398.) "[T]he phrase 'any action arising out of the
provisions of [the MRL]' in Civil Code section 798.85 encompasses only those actions
directly involving the application of MRL provisions in specific factual contexts
addressed by the MRL, such as actions by mobile[]home park residents against
management for failing to maintain physical improvements in common facilities in good
working order." (Ibid.) "A case may 'arise' under the MRL even if a complaint does not
allege a specific cause of action under the MRL, as long as the dispute is one within the
scope of the MRL." (SC Manufactured Homes, Inc., at p. 676.)
The SACC belies the City's assertion its single goal in filing a cross-complaint was
"to preserve the validity of the zoning ordinance." The nuisance cause of action alleged
the cross-defendants were "legally responsible for compliance with the provisions
of . . . Civil Code section[] 798," and they "created and maintained a public nuisance at
common law and under Civil Code section[] 798.87." Further, the nuisance cause of
action alleged a variety of conditions deleterious to residents of the Park, including
inadequate sewer, drainage, electrical, natural gas and plumbing systems; lack of pest and
rodent control; unmaintained trash areas; inadequate outdoor lighting; and insufficient
parking. The lack of maintenance caused residents to suffer "emotional distress, illness,
personal injury, medical expenses, caretaking costs, property damages, cost of repairs,
19
loss of wages, loss of use and enjoyment of their homes, and diminution in value of their
homes . . . ."
The negligence per se cause of action incorporated allegations that all cross-
defendants were "legally responsible for compliance with the provisions of . . . Civil
Code section[] 798," and they "created and maintained a public nuisance at common law
and under Civil Code section[] 798.87." Further, the negligence per se cause of action
alleged the violation of numerous regulations pertaining to mobile home parks. For
example, it alleged cross-defendants "breached Health and Safety Code section 18554 on
numerous occasions by permitting raw sewage from the sewer system and common
facilities in [the Park] to spill and seep to the surface"; "breached Health and Safety Code
section 18670 by failing to provide wiring and fixtures in [the Park] adequate to
accommodate the normal demand for electricity"; "breached Title 25 of the California
Code of Regulations, section[] 1108 . . ., by failing to install and maintain adequate
artificial lighting in [the Park]"; and "breached Title 25 of the California Code of
Regulations, section 1220, by failing to have gas shutoff valves on mobile[]home lots."
The negligence per se cause of action also alleged that because of the lack of
maintenance, the City suffered damages, including "costs associated with the cleanup of
sewer spills and the abatement of weeds, trash, tires, and other nuisances. The nuisance
abatement program, implemented by [the City's] fire department staff, is particularly
arduous and requires many man hours noticing/inspecting/re-inspecting/noticing the
[P]ark owner." Further, it alleged cross-defendants "must immediately abate or cause to
be abated all nuisances alleged herein." The SACC set forth one prayer for both the
20
nuisance and negligence per se causes of action, for civil penalties and "a permanent
injunction requiring Cross-defendants to repair the Park's sewer, water, gas, drainage,
lighting, streets, and electrical systems, trees and landscaping, abate any other nuisances
alleged herein, comply with codes, statutes, and ordinances."10
In support of the attorney fees request, Barton submitted the declaration of one of
its attorneys. It stated that to defend against the nuisance and negligence per se claims,
he and others from his firm were required to undertake numerous tasks, including
"assembling close to [200] exhibits and preparing for the testimony of approximately [20]
witnesses, as well as taking and defending depositions and reviewing voluminous
documents from my client and County and City employees, . . . inspecting the [P]ark and
interviewing witnesses." The declaration also states that the attorney tried to settle the
claims numerous times, since repairs were made to the Park and "no nuisance appeared to
exist." The City, however, refused to dismiss Barton until the date trial was scheduled.
We conclude the SACC's claims for nuisance and negligence per se arose out of
the MRL because they involved "application of MRL provisions to a particular factual
context addressed by the MRL." (MHC Financing Limited Partnership Two, supra, 125
Cal.App.4th at p. 1398.) They were "based upon the management's alleged failure to
maintain the physical improvements in the common facilities in good working
10 The nuisance cause of action does not allege any facts pertaining to preserving the validity of the rezoning ordinance. The negligence per se cause of action mentions Ordinance No. 441 only insofar as it alleges its adoption and that supposedly "the right to operate and maintain nonconforming uses in the industrial and commercial zones was to terminate in seven years." 21
order . . . ." (Civ. Code, § 798.84, subd. (a).) "The substantial failure of the management
to provide and maintain physical improvements in the common facilities in good working
order and condition shall be deemed a public nuisance." (Civ. Code, § 798.87, subd. (a).)
A civil action to remedy a nuisance may be brought by a park resident, the people of the
State of California, the Attorney General, or, as here, a city attorney. (Civ. Code,
§ 798.87, subd. (c).) We reverse the order denying attorney fees insofar as Barton is
concerned and remand the matter to the trial court for further proceedings on the
matter.11
2
In its opposition to the fee motion, the City argued that even if some fees were
available under the MRL, the fee request was unreasonable because there was a lack of
allocation among the SACC's compensable (nuisance and negligence per se) and
noncompensable (declaratory and injunctive relief) causes of action. "Where fees are
authorized for some causes of action in a complaint but not for others, allocation is a
matter within the court's discretion." (Thompson Pacific Construction, Inc. v. City of
Sunnyvale (2007) 155 Cal.App.4th 525, 555.) "[A]llocation is not required when the
11 Without citing any authority, the City suggests that because Willow Bend is not entitled to attorney fees under Civil Code section 798.85, since it did not prevail in the litigation overall, Barton is not entitled to attorney fees because it "is one of the owners of Willow Bend." The City cites the trial brief of Willow Bend, Selinger and Barton, which states Barton "is a separate corporation with a 50[ percent] interest in [Willow Bend]." " 'The absence of cogent legal argument or citation to authority allows this court to treat the contention as waived.' " (Cahill v. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 939, 956.) 22
issues are 'so interrelated that it would have been impossible to separate them into claims
for which attorney fees are properly awarded and claims for which they are not.' " (Ibid.)
Further, the fee motion did not allocate fees among Willow Bend, Selinger and
Barton, who were represented by the same counsel, presumably because they believed
they were all entitled to fees under their interpretation of Civil Code section 798.85.
"Allocation also generally is required when the same lawyer represents one party that is
entitled to recover its attorney fees and another party that is not. As with allocation
among causes of action, allocation among jointly represented parties 'is not required
when the liability of the parties is "so factually interrelated that it would have been
impossible to separate the activities . . . into compensable and noncompensable time
units. . . ." ' " (Brown Bark III, L.P. v. Haver (2013) 219 Cal.App.4th 809, 830.)
Accordingly, on remand the trial court must determine (1) whether and how to
allocate Barton's attorney fees between the SACC's compensable and noncompensable
causes of action; (2) whether and how to allocate fees among the cross-defendants; and
(3) the amount of attorney fees Barton may recover for this appeal. " 'Although this court
has the power to fix [the amount of] attorney fees on appeal, the better practice is to have
the trial court determine such fees.' " (Huntingdon Life Sciences, Inc. v. Stop Huntingdon
Animal Cruelty USA, Inc. (2005) 129 Cal.App.4th 1228, 1267.)
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. The order denying attorney fees is reversed insofar as
Barton is concerned, and the matter is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings
in accordance with this opinion. The order is affirmed in all other respects. In light of
23
the mixed results here, the parties shall bear their own costs on appeal. (Rule
8.278(a)(5).)
HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:
HALLER, J.
MCINTYRE, J.
24
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court affirmed the judgment against the plaintiffs on their complaint and the denial of their motion for attorney fees, but reversed the order denying attorney fees as to Barton, remanding for further proceedings. The court held that the plaintiffs forfeited appellate review of the summary judgment by failing to challenge the denial of their new trial motion, and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in its declaratory relief ruling.
Issues
Whether the trial court erred in granting summary judgment on the complaint based on the statute of limitations.
Whether the trial court abused its discretion in limiting the scope of declaratory relief on the cross-complaint.
Whether the trial court erred in denying attorney fees under the Mobilehome Residency Law to parties who obtained a dismissal of cross-complaint claims.
Disposition. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“The court granted the City summary judgment explaining that even if there were irregularities in the adoption of Ordinance No. 441, the time for challenging it had long expired.”
“We affirm the judgment. We reverse the order insofar as it concerns Barton, and remand the matter for further proceedings on the issue of attorney fees. In all other respects, we affirm the order.”