Cell tower lease buyouts often tempt churches with large upfront payments, but they can create permanent easements, restrictive land‑use limitations, and the loss of long‑term income that ministries rely on.
With Bushore Church Real Estate, you receive a full and experienced, in-house representation for all of your legal, corporate, and real property needs. Bushore Church Real Estate specializes in nearly all matters concerning Church Real Estate, including religious, nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. We are a father and son California Real Estate team, having offices in both […]
An overview of how prescriptive easements are created in California, the legal elements required, and the steps property owners can take to prevent unauthorized use of their land.
By way of an introduction, we are a father-and-son California Real Estate team, having offices in both northern and southern California, working nearly exclusively for and with churches with their real estate needs for over forty (40) years. We focus on nearly all matters concerning Church Real Estate, including religious, nonprofit, and tax-exempt organizations with the highest spiritual and ethical standards. Over decades of carving out a name for ourselves amongst church groups, we found a niche by locating and/or uniting church property buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. Along the way, […]
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in construction materials for its heat resistance and durability. However, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos is still present in many structures and is still used in some industrial processes and commercially available products. Cal/OSHA:The Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health is a state agency responsible for ensuring workplace safety and health in California. Its primary mission is to promote and enforce occupational […]
Occasionally, we work with a church that has its private cemetery dedicated on its property and is looking to sell. Although not always the case, these cemeteries usually consist of cremated remains. Public vs. Private:Most people know a cemetery when they see one, but the California Health and Safety Code defines a Cemetery as either of the following: Ownership Transfers:When transferring ownership of a private cemetery, fifty percent or more, the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau in the Department of Consumer Affairs must be notified and provided with the name and […]
As a result of Congressional Hearings wherein Congress found that churches, particularly those of minority religions and start-up churches, were disproportionately affected, and often were actively discriminated against, by local land use decisions. Furthermore, it was determined that zoning authorities were frequently placing excessive burdens on the ability of congregations to exercise their faith in violation of the Constitution. This resulted in the passing of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) to protect religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. Purpose:RLUIPA provides that “No […]
Under federal tax law, non-profit organizations such as churches are tax-exempt because they are organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. This means that the assets of a non-profit organization, including a church, must be used exclusively for achieving its exempt purposes. Exclusive Purpose:This requirement is often referred to as the “exclusivity of purpose” rule. It means that a non-profit organization cannot use its assets to benefit individuals or private interests, or for any purpose […]
All property has an underlying or specific zone wherein the City or County has outlined in its General Plan for all zones within its jurisdiction. These zones indicate what the general, current, or future use of the land in a particular area will be. The purpose of this is to maintain continuity throughout the city while providing for the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of its residents. In short, it prevents things such as a steel mill from taking place in the middle of a neighborhood. Notwithstanding, the underlying […]
Solar Panels and the Church Solar panels on church roofs are becoming more and more popular. For starters, the electricity bill at any given church can be astronomical, especially in the summer. Churches are often looking to cut cost in order to be good stewards of their property and finances. Saving money, and possibly profiting from solar panels may be a good alternative, but there are always risk involved. Cost: Always of primary concern, one must consider the cost of taking advantage of a large roof area in order to […]
