13th Court of Appeals holds statute of limitations properly raised in plea to the jurisdiction and “damage” to real property is limited to two-year SOL
Danis Tucker and Beverly Tucker v. City of Corpus Christi, Texas, 13-18-00328-CV, (Tex. App – Corpus Christi, Feb. 27, 2020)
This is a takings claim where the Corpus Christi Court of Appeals affirmed the granting of the City’s plea to the jurisdiction involving junked vehicles v antique vehicles.
A City municipal court judge ordered that four vehicles located on the Tuckers’ residential property be seized and disposed of pursuant to the City’s junked vehicles ordinance. The Tuckers sued claiming a taking under the Texas Constitution. The City filed a plea to the jurisdiction, based in part on a statute of limitations defense, which was granted. The Tuckers appealed.
The court first addressed whether the statute of limitations is now considered a jurisdictional defense (as opposed to an affirmative defense) which could be raised in a plea. Adopting reasoning from other districts, the court held Tex. Gov’t Code §311.034 states compliance with statutory prerequisites to suit are jurisdictional. A statute of limitations is a prerequisite to suit and is therefore jurisdictional when dealing with a governmental entity. It, therefore, can be raised in a plea. Under § 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a takings claim based on a physical seizure of “personal property” is governed by a two-year limitation, while a takings claim based on the actual physical seizure of real property is a ten-year period (referencing adverse possession). However, a takings claim based on “damage” to real property is governed by the two-year limitations period. The statute of limitations begins to run when a claim accrues, which occurred more than four years before the Tuckers brought suit. As a result, the plea was properly granted.
If you would like to read this opinion click here. Panel consists of Justices Benavides, Hinojosa, and Tijerina. Affirmed. Opinion by Justice Hinojosa. Docket page with attorney information can be found here.
