Los Osos Valley Associates v. City of San Luis Obispo

Opinion

GILBERT, J.

During a drought condition, a city supplies its citizens with water it draws from the ground. The groundwater pumping causes subsidence resulting in damage to buildings.

Here we hold the city is liable in inverse condemnation to the owner of the buildings.

We affirm the judgment of the trial court that appellant, the City of San Luis Obispo (the City), is liable in inverse condemnation for physical damage to the buildings of respondent, Los Osos Valley Associates (LOVA).

Facts

In 1985, the City implemented an annual water plan because the amount of water the citizens used each…