Easement & Right-of-Way Documents

 Easement and Right-of-Way Documents define and illustrate areas of land intended for access, utilities, drainage, roadways or other specific purposes. These documents provide the precise location, dimensions and limits needed to create, acquire, dedicate, modify or vacate an easement or right-of-way.

Surveying services typically include preparation of a legal description and exhibit that can be attached to an easement agreement, deed, dedication, acquisition document or other recorded instrument. The surveyor coordinates with property owners, engineers, attorneys, title companies, utility providers and governmental agencies to ensure that the described area reflects the intended use and project design.

These services are commonly required for development projects, utility construction, roadway improvements, public infrastructure, property access and land-acquisition projects.

1. Access Easements — Areas providing legal access for vehicles, pedestrians, maintenance or emergency services.
2. Utility Easements — Corridors for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, electric, gas, communication and other utility facilities.
3. Drainage Easements — Areas reserved for stormwater facilities, channels, swales, pipes, detention systems or the conveyance of drainage.
4. Construction Easements — Temporary areas used for grading, equipment access, material storage or other construction activities.
5. Roadway Rights-of-Way — Land acquired or dedicated for public or private streets, sidewalks, drainage facilities and related improvements.
6. Emergency-Access Easements — Areas reserved for fire, medical and other emergency access.
7. Maintenance Easements — Areas allowing access to inspect, repair or maintain buildings, utilities, drainage facilities or other improvements.
8. Public-Use Dedications — Land or property rights dedicated to a municipality, county, district or other public entity.
9. Right-of-Way Acquisitions — Parcels or property interests acquired for roadway, utility or public-infrastructure projects.
10. Easement and Right-of-Way Vacations — Documents used to release or remove easements and rights-of-way that are no longer needed, subject to approval by the affected parties and reviewing jurisdiction.

1. Records and Title Research — Review of deeds, subdivision plats, title documents, existing easements and other records affecting the property.
2. Parent-Property Evaluation — Identification and verification of the property from which the easement or right-of-way will be created.
3. Field Surveying — Location of property boundaries, monuments, improvements and design features when necessary to establish the proposed area.
4. Project and Design Coordination — Coordination with engineers, utility providers, attorneys and agencies to determine the intended alignment, width and limits.
5. Legal Description Preparation — Preparation of a clear and mathematically accurate description of the easement, right-of-way or acquisition parcel.
6. Exhibit Preparation — Creation of an accompanying drawing showing the described area, dimensions, adjoining property and relevant improvements.
7. Area Calculations — Calculation of the acreage or square footage contained within the described area.
8. Existing-Condition Review — Evaluation of buildings, fences, utilities and other improvements that may conflict with or affect the proposed area.
9. Agency and Jurisdictional Coordination — Assistance with technical requirements and revisions requested by municipalities, counties, districts or other reviewing entities.
10. Document Revisions — Updates needed to address design changes, title concerns, agency comments or negotiations between the affected parties.

The legal description and exhibit prepared by the surveyor define the location of the easement or right-of-way but do not, by themselves, create or transfer the property interest. They are typically attached to an agreement, deed, dedication or other legal instrument prepared or reviewed by an attorney, title company or governmental agency.