Journal of Light Construction: Legal Issues

North Carolina Grapples With Local Design Restrictions

Mon, 13 May 2013 01:22:22 EST

The North Carolina House of Representatives has approved a bill that would prohibit local governments from using zoning ordinances to regulate building-design elements for single-family homes or duplexes

BP Oil Spill Effects Linger in the Gulf

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:55:06 EST

The oil stopped flowing two years ago. Much of the money hasn’t started flowing yet. And the Gulf Coast, some reports say, is still hurting from the effects of BP’s disastrous Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform blowout.

Dispute Drags On Over Hard-To-Heat Energy-Star Houses

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:20:38 EST

Homeowners at “Somerset Run” in Franklin Township, New Jersey, have been complaining since 2003 that their Energy Star rated houses are drafty and expensive to heat. And they’re still not happy.

Court Overturns Move Abolishing Energy Code

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:03:15 EST

A New Mexico court has ruled that the state board setting construction rules can’t overturn a building code without providing a reason.

A Punch List That Doesn't Knock You Out

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:37:44 EST

Define the problems you will be responsible for and set clear procedures for final payment

Fixing Chinese Drywall: A Tampa Builder Hits Top Gear

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 02:29:53 EST

Carelessness helped create Florida’s Chinese drywall disaster. Cleaning it up is a job for a very careful builder.

Colorado Monoxide Case Moves Toward Trial

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:13:39 EST

A Colorado general contractor’s day in court is approaching in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by relatives of a family poisoned by carbon monoxide at a ski chalet.

Connecticut Department Of Labor Stops Work On Job Sites, Citing Worker Misclassification

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:58:08 EST

Connecticut authorities have ordered 27 jobs to a halt in the state because employers were paying employees as subcontractors and failing to obtain workers comp coverage.

Watching the Money: Post-Sandy, Authorities Eye Fraud and Mismanagement

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:24:57 EST

From small-time scams to major misappropriation of relief money, government is on the lookout for crooked use of rebuilding funds.

Hawaii Looks To Scale Back Owner-Builder License Exemption

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:24:40 EST

Hawaiians can act as their own general contractor without any license under current law. But that may change this year.

NFIP Demands its Money Back from Flooded Staten Island Homeowner

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:55:56 EST

The NFIP paid a Staten Island homeowner $10,000 for flood damage to her first floor. Now they say the space was a basement — and they want their money back.

After Sandy, a Debate about Dunes in New Jersey

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:55:59 EST

Sand dunes saved some houses from Sandy's storm surge. But some beachfront homeowners still won't sign off on raising the dunes.

Colorado Insurance Contractor Draws Three-Year Fraud Term

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:38:54 EST

Three years in the Federal pen: that’s the sentence for cooking the books in insurance restoration work.

North Carolina Lawmakers Vote For Six-Year Code Cycle

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:34:31 EST

North Carolina’s House has voted for a measure that would lengthen the code revision cycle and limit local inspections.

New York Issues Tickets to Beach Walkers, Taxes Rebuilders

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 10:23:13 EST

“I cried all the way home,” said Staten Island homeowner Emilya Malkin after encountering New York City Parks Police on the beach near her house. Malkin says police threatened her family with arrest as she strolled with her husband and children.

A Ticket — In The Supreme Court

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:01:46 EST

Ever fight a traffic ticket? Delaware mason contractor Donald Goldsborough is taking his ticket to the state Supreme Court.

On a Florida Beach, a Tree House Crosses the Line

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:40:41 EST

If you want to know how big a deal coastal construction and zoning regulations can be, you don’t have to look further than the tree house at Angelinos Sea Lodge, a bed-and-breakfast getaway at Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, Fla.

Negligence? Or Gross Negligence? Federal Trial Starts in BP Gulf Oil Spill

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:41:29 EST

BP and its partners in the oil platform are facing a civil trial in a New Orleans federal courtroom, as Gulf Coast states and the U.S. government seek to recover the costs of the cleanup, compensation for economic and environmental damage, and likely additional penalties for negligence.

Builder On Trial For Hiring Thugs To Beat Neighbor

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:29:53 EST

An Ohio builder faces ten years in jail if convicted on charges he hired men to beat a neighbor who sued him over rights to a pleasant view.

Baton Rouge Builder Jailed on Felony Charge for Nonpayment of Subs

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:42:03 EST

Baton Rouge police have leveled felony theft charges against a Louisiana builder after more than 30 unpaid trade contractors filed liens against four homeowners.