A North Carolina Easement or Right of Way for Access to Property is a legal agreement that grants someone the right to use a portion of another person's property for specific purposes such as installing utilities, roads, or pathways. This arrangement ensures access to a property, even if it is located in a landlocked area or surrounded by other parcels. There are several types of North Carolina Easements or Rights of Way for Access to Property, each serving different purposes: 1. Private Easements: These are typically negotiated and agreed upon between adjacent landowners who need access across each other's properties. Private easements can be used for a variety of purposes, such as granting access to a landlocked property or allowing utility companies to install and maintain services. 2. Public Easements: Public easements are established by government entities to provide access to public facilities such as roads, sidewalks, or parks. These easements are often designated on property plats or specified in official documents. 3. Utility Easements: Utility companies often require easements to install, inspect, repair, and maintain utilities such as water, sewer, gas, or electricity. These easements allow utilities providers to access their equipment and infrastructure on private properties for service delivery. 4. Conservation Easements: Conservation easements are used to protect and preserve natural resources, agricultural lands, or historically significant properties. These agreements limit future development rights and ensure the property remains in its designated state, benefiting the broader community and future generations. 5. Prescriptive Easements: Prescriptive easements arise when someone openly and continuously uses another person's property without permission. If these actions continue unchallenged for a specific period, usually 20 years in North Carolina, the user may acquire a legal right to use that portion of the property. It is important to note that easements are typically recorded in public land records and are binding on all subsequent owners of the respective properties involved. Prior to entering into any easement agreements, it is advisable to seek legal counsel to ensure all terms and conditions are appropriately addressed and documented to protect the rights and interests of all parties involved.