Road Access, Easements, and Landlocked Parcels

Legal vs physical access

Legal access means the parcel has a recorded right to reach a public road — usually deeded frontage or a recorded easement. Physical access means you can actually get there.

Both matter. A lot with a well-worn dirt road but no recorded easement can be a real problem for a buyer.

Recorded easements and shared driveways

Recorded easements can grant or restrict access, utility runs, or maintenance responsibilities. Shared driveways and private roads are common and workable, but the paperwork matters.

Landlocked parcels

A landlocked parcel has no legal access to a public road. It is not automatically unsellable, but resolving access can take time, negotiation with neighbors, or legal work.

Practical examples

A rural parcel accessed by a two-track through a neighbor's field may have no recorded easement at all.
An infill lot with frontage on a paved public street is the simplest case.

Seller takeaway

If access is unclear on your land, say so upfront. Buyers can often work with the situation if they know about it early.

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Builder takeaway

Verify recorded access in title, not just what you see on the ground.

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Questions to ask before moving forward

→Does the parcel have deeded frontage on a public road?
→Are there recorded access easements?
→Is any part of the driveway on a neighbor's land?

Put this into practice

Submit your lot for review, or tell us what you're buying. We connect landowners with real demand and help builders find off-market lots that fit their criteria — subject to due diligence.

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Disclaimer: This article is educational only. It is not legal, engineering, environmental, title, or tax advice. Land rules vary by city, county, state, parcel, and project. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions about any specific property.