reasonable use rule (North Carolina) · Go Syfert
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reasonable use rule in North Carolina

10 North Carolina opinions name it 2 courts 1924–2019 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by North Carolina courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (4)

CaseFollowedCited
Pendergrast v. Aikengreen
nc · 1977 · cited in 6 North Carolina opinions naming this issue, 1979–2007
2 sentences

2007The duty of care with regard to private property owners as to damage caused by surface water is governed by the reasonable use doctrine, as set forth in Pendergrast v. Aiken, 293 N.C. 201 , 236 S.E.2d 787 (1977): Each possessor is legally privileged to make a reasonable use of his land, even though the flow of surface water is altered thereby and causes some harm to others, but liability is incurred when his harmful interference with the flow of surface waters is unreasonable and causes substantial damage.

2007The duty of care with regard to private property owners as to damage caused by surface water is governed by the reasonable use doctrine, as set forth in Pendergrast v. Aiken, 293 N.C. 201 , 236 S.E.2d 787 (1977): Each possessor is legally privileged to make a reasonable use of his land, even though the flow of surface water is altered thereby and causes some harm to others, but liability is incurred when his harmful interference with the flow of surface waters is unreasonable and causes substantial damage.

16
Board of Transportation v. Terminal Warehouse Corp.green
nc · 1980 · cited in 5 North Carolina opinions naming this issue, 1983–2019
2 sentences

2019Id. at 705, 268 S.E.2d at 184 . *690 In addition to announcing the reasonable use rule, the Court in Pendergrast described the inquiry that must be made, explaining that a cause of action for unreasonable interference with the flow of surface water causing substantial damage is a private nuisance action, with liability arising where the conduct of the landowner making the alterations in the flow of surface water is either (1) intentional and unreasonable or (2) negligent, reckless or in the course of an abnormally dangerous activity. ....

2011In Board of Transportation v. Warehouse Corp., 300 N.C. 700 , 268 S.E.2d 180 (1980), the trial court applied the reasonable use rule by instructing the jury to consider the damage from the diverted flood waters only if the State had “unreasonably interfered with the flow of surface waters.” Id. at 705 , 268 S.E.2d at 183 .

15
Dunning Ex Rel. Sowers v. Forsyth Warehouse Co.green
nc · 1968 · cited in 1 North Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2007–2007
2 sentences

2007However, in order for there to be a finding of negligence, a defendant is not required to"alter or interfere with the flow of surface water." See Dunning v. Warehouse Co., 272 N.C. 723, 725 , 158 S.E.2d 893, 895 (1968) (stating that "[t]he breach of duty may be by negligent act or a negligent failure to act").

2007However, in order for there to be a finding of negligence, a defendant is not required to"alter or interfere with the flow of surface water." See Dunning v. Warehouse Co., 272 N.C. 723, 725 , 158 S.E.2d 893, 895 (1968) (stating that "[t]he breach of duty may be by negligent act or a negligent failure to act").

11
Sheehan v. Flynngreen
minn · 1894 · cited in 1 North Carolina opinions naming this issue, 1977–1977
2 sentences

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in North Carolina. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (16)

CaseCitedYears
Eller v. Board of Education of Buncombe County green
nc · 1955
2 sentences

2011Where the interference with surface waters is effected by [a government] entity, the principle of reasonable use articulated *154 in Pendergrast is superseded by the constitutional mandate that “[w]hen private property is taken for public use, just compensation must be paid.” Eller v. Board of Education, 242 N.C. 584 , 89 S.E.2d 144 (1955).

2011Where the interference with surface waters is effected by [a government] entity, the principle of reasonable use articulated *154 in Pendergrast is superseded by the constitutional mandate that “[w]hen private property is taken for public use, just compensation must be paid.” Eller v. Board of Education, 242 N.C. 584 , 89 S.E.2d 144 (1955).

12011–2011
Woodward v. Cloer green
ncctapp · 1984
2 sentences

2007Furthermore, in Woodward , this Court stated, "[t]here is no indication in the Pendergrast opinion that the court meant to apply the reasonable use rule to surface water drainage problems not arising under a nuisance theory." Id. at 338 , 315 S.E.2d at 338-39 .

2007As this instruction deals solely with riparian rights, and since "[t]here is no indication in the Pendergrast opinion that the court meant to apply the reasonable use rule to surface water drainage problems not arising under a nuisance theory[,]" Woodward at 338 , 315 S.E.2d at 338-39 , the trial court did not err by failing to give the foregoing instruction.

12007–2007
City of Kings Mountain v. Goforth green
· 1973
1 sentence

1979In holding that the trial court in the present case was correct in instructing the jury that the rights of the parties were governed by the reasonable use rule, we are not inadvertent to the expressions in some pre-Pendergrast cases in which our Supreme Court spoke in terms of the rights of upper and lower proprietors with regard to the control and use of surface waters as being property rights the invasion of which by a party having the power of eminent domain would amount to a taking, see, e.g., City of Kings Mountain v. Goforth, supra, at 325, 196 S.E. 2d at 238 , nor do we overlook similar

11979–1979
Rodrigues v. State green
haw · 1970
2 sentences

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
City of Houston v. Renault, Inc. green
tex · 1968
1 sentence

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
State v. Deetz green
wis · 1974
2 sentences

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
Morris v. McNicol green
wash · 1974
2 sentences

1977See Keys v. Romley, supra; Templeton v. Huss, 57 Ill. 2d 134 , 311 N.E. 2d 141 (1974); Commonwealth, Dept. of Hwys. v. S & M Land Co., Inc., 503 S.W. 2d 495 (1972); Baer v. Board of County Com’rs of Washington Co., 255 Md. 163 , 257 A. 2d 201 (1969); Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash. 2d 491 , 519 P. 2d 7 (1974).

1977See Keys v. Romley, supra; Templeton v. Huss, 57 Ill. 2d 134 , 311 N.E. 2d 141 (1974); Commonwealth, Dept. of Hwys. v. S & M Land Co., Inc., 503 S.W. 2d 495 (1972); Baer v. Board of County Com’rs of Washington Co., 255 Md. 163 , 257 A. 2d 201 (1969); Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash. 2d 491 , 519 P. 2d 7 (1974).

11977–1977
Templeton v. Huss green
ill · 1974
2 sentences

1977See Keys v. Romley, supra; Templeton v. Huss, 57 Ill. 2d 134 , 311 N.E. 2d 141 (1974); Commonwealth, Dept. of Hwys. v. S & M Land Co., Inc., 503 S.W. 2d 495 (1972); Baer v. Board of County Com’rs of Washington Co., 255 Md. 163 , 257 A. 2d 201 (1969); Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash. 2d 491 , 519 P. 2d 7 (1974).

1977See Keys v. Romley, supra; Templeton v. Huss, 57 Ill. 2d 134 , 311 N.E. 2d 141 (1974); Commonwealth, Dept. of Hwys. v. S & M Land Co., Inc., 503 S.W. 2d 495 (1972); Baer v. Board of County Com’rs of Washington Co., 255 Md. 163 , 257 A. 2d 201 (1969); Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash. 2d 491 , 519 P. 2d 7 (1974).

11977–1977
Commonwealth, Department of Highways v. S & M Land Co. green
kyctapphigh · 1972
1 sentence

1977See Keys v. Romley, supra; Templeton v. Huss, 57 Ill. 2d 134 , 311 N.E. 2d 141 (1974); Commonwealth, Dept. of Hwys. v. S & M Land Co., Inc., 503 S.W. 2d 495 (1972); Baer v. Board of County Com’rs of Washington Co., 255 Md. 163 , 257 A. 2d 201 (1969); Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash. 2d 491 , 519 P. 2d 7 (1974).

11977–1977
Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp. green
alaska · 1963
1 sentence

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
Sanford v. University of Utah green
utah · 1971
2 sentences

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
Jones v. Boeing Company green
nd · 1967
1 sentence

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
Lunsford v. Stewart neutral
ohioctapp · 1953
2 sentences

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
Mulder v. Tague green
sd · 1971
2 sentences

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

1977See Sheehan v. Flynn, 59 Minn. 436 , 61 N.W. 462 (1894); Enderson v. Kelehan, supra. Although these jurisdictions were for many years the sole adherents to the reasonable use rule, a growing number have recently adopted the rule fully, e.g., Weinberg v. Northern Alaska Development Corp., 384 P. 2d 450 (Alaska, 1963); Rodrigues v. State, 52 Haw. 156 , 472 P. 2d 509 (1970); Armstrong v. Francis Corp., supra; Jones v. Boeing Company, 153 N.W. 2d 897 (N.D. 1967); Butler v. Bruno, supra; Sanford v. University of Utah, 26 Utah 2d 285 , 488 P. 2d 741 (1971); State v. Deetz, 66 Wis. 2d 1 , 224 N.W. 2d

11977–1977
Baer v. Board of County Commissioners green
md · 1969
2 sentences

1977See Keys v. Romley, supra; Templeton v. Huss, 57 Ill. 2d 134 , 311 N.E. 2d 141 (1974); Commonwealth, Dept. of Hwys. v. S & M Land Co., Inc., 503 S.W. 2d 495 (1972); Baer v. Board of County Com’rs of Washington Co., 255 Md. 163 , 257 A. 2d 201 (1969); Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash. 2d 491 , 519 P. 2d 7 (1974).

1977See Keys v. Romley, supra; Templeton v. Huss, 57 Ill. 2d 134 , 311 N.E. 2d 141 (1974); Commonwealth, Dept. of Hwys. v. S & M Land Co., Inc., 503 S.W. 2d 495 (1972); Baer v. Board of County Com’rs of Washington Co., 255 Md. 163 , 257 A. 2d 201 (1969); Morris v. McNicol, 83 Wash. 2d 491 , 519 P. 2d 7 (1974).

11977–1977
Forbell v. . City of New York green
ny · 1900
1 sentence

1924Sustaining the doctrine of reasonable use, be says: “But this question was completely put at rest, so far as the State of New York is concerned, by the case of Forbell v. New York, 164 N. Y., 522 ; 51 L.

11924–1924

Where else courts name it

OH 25 (1976–2020) CA 20 (1936–2025) MN 15 (1972–2015) AZ 12 (1953–2018) MA 12 (1982–2023) WI 10 (1980–2023) NC 10 (1924–2019) MO 10 (1993–2009) ND 9 (1967–2013) FL 8 (1974–2026) NH 7 (1900–2015) WA 7 (1999–2015) TX 7 (1977–2021) IL 6 (1979–2024) MI 5 (1967–2017) CT 5 (1980–2023) NJ 5 (1956–1987) AL 4 (1980–1995) UT 3 (1921–1930) ME 3 (1969–2021) AR 3 (1957–1997) WV 3 (1989–2002) AK 3 (1982–2024) IN 2 (1981–1982) NE 2 (1994–1994) SD 2 (2004–2014) KY 2 (1968–1988) CO 2 (2012–2018) HI 2 (1970–1997) NY 2 (1965–1978)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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