How do I find easements on my property?
Start with your title commitment or preliminary title report, then check the county recorder, GIS parcel viewer, and any utility or homeowner association documents.
The easiest place to find recorded easements is your title commitment, specifically Schedule B. This section lists exceptions to title coverage, including easements, covenants, and rights-of-way that affect the property.
Next, search the county recorder's office or online land records for your parcel. Look for deeds, plats, easement deeds, and right-of-way agreements that mention your lot or block.
Many counties publish a GIS parcel viewer that overlays tax parcels with recorded easements and corridor layers. These viewers are free, but the quality varies by county. Some show precise vector lines; others show only approximate locations.
Finally, check with your homeowner association, utility companies, and any neighbors who share driveways or access paths. Unrecorded or informal agreements can still create practical problems even if they are not legally enforceable.
What to look for
- Schedule B of your title commitment or preliminary title report.
- Deed, plat, and easement records at the county recorder or clerk.
- County GIS parcel viewer with easement or right-of-way layers.
- HOA covenants and utility correspondence.
Related terms
General educational reference only. Prescription periods and their exceptions change, and several states set the period by case law rather than by statute. Read the linked official code and consult a licensed attorney in that state before relying on any of it.
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