How do I find out what easements are on my property?

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Easements and rights of way0 answersAI answer

I want to know if there are any easements before I plan landscaping. Where can I look?

Asked October 25, 2026

AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor

Check these sources [1]:

  1. Title insurance policy or commitment: lists recorded easements as exceptions, with recording references.
  2. Recorded plat: subdivision plats often show utility and drainage easements along lot lines [2].
  3. County recorder: you can look up the documents listed in your title policy.
  4. Survey: a boundary or ALTA survey can show where recorded easements lie on the ground.
  5. Utilities: call 811 before digging to have buried lines marked. That's separate from easement research, but essential.

Some easements aren't recorded, such as long-used paths or drainage ways. A surveyor can note visible signs of use, and an attorney can advise on their legal effect.

Sources

  1. What is an easement and how does it affect my property?
  2. A Beginner's Guide to Reading a Land Survey Plat

General information only. Answers here are not a survey or legal advice, and no one here can tell you where your boundary is. For your property, hire a licensed land surveyor in your state; for legal questions, a real-estate attorney.

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