Water and Water Rights

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The aggregate amount of recurring noncash expense charged against earnings in the period to allocate the cost of assets over their estimated remaining economic lives.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total of (1) improvements, (2) held-for-sale, (3) land and land under development, (4) construction-in-process, (5) mortgage loans held-in-inventory, and (6) other real estate investments which are considered inventory due to being held for sale or disposition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in certain other real estate investments not specifically identified elsewhere in the existing taxonomy.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryRealEstateOther
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of tangible assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=pico_WaterResourceAndWaterStorageOperationsMember
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Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=pico_RealEstateOperationsMember
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Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Tangible asset impairment charges	$ 3,500
Tangible water assets		$ 42,514	$ 42,530
Other real estate inventories completed or under development		9,971	10,308
Impairment of real estate assets		(274)	(2,865)
UCP
Impairment of real estate assets		(923)
Real estate		6,000
CALIFORNIA
Impairment of real estate assets		(274)
Real estate		3,400
Leasehold Improvements
Amortization of leasehold improvements		$ 879	879	$ 879
Water Resources and Water Storage Operations
Tangible water assets			0
Real Estate Operations
Other real estate inventories completed or under development			1,400
Impairment of real estate assets			$ (2,900)