Surveying
Easement
A legal right granted to a person or entity to use another's land for a specific purpose, such as utility access, drainage, or pedestrian passage.
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In the Field
Easements are recorded in the deed and shown on the plat. Utility easements are commonly 10–20 feet wide and restrict construction of permanent structures above underground utilities. Always pull easement data from the title report before designing anything on a property.
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Rule of Thumb
If you build over a utility easement without authorization and the utility company needs access, they can remove your structure at your expense — with no obligation to restore it.