Where Does Your Property Line Start?

If you own one or are planning to buy land you’ve probably wondered where your property line falls in relation to the street, you’re not alone! Because of the wide variety of ways to define property lines and setbacks, there are almost as many different definitions for these terms as there are municipalities and counties that determine them.

Different Definitions

In some places the property line extends right up to the curb, but has a wide setback for potential public use. In other places the property line might extend all the way out to the center of the street. In instances like that, the property line is a technicality for unlikely events such as complete road removal. Should your property line extend that far, the public setback will range from the center of the road to a predetermined point in your lawn.

Generally speaking, the most common scenario is that the road is defined as wider than the actual curb-to-curb distance. For example, if the street you live on is 30 feet wide but the “plat” (a plan, map or chart of a piece of land with actual or proposed features) shows it as 40 feet, then the “street” technically extends 10 feet into your lawn. This extension usually contains sidewalks, publicly-owned trees and major utility runs.

Making things trickier, each municipality also has its own rules about who is responsible for maintaining sidewalks and trees. It can be frustrating, but in most cases the homeowner is responsible for maintaining everything up to the street, even if it is technically beyond your property line.

High-Tech Solutions

So given all these methods of determining property lines, how do you find out which one applies to your home? The first step is to visit the website for your city or county auditor. Many sites have maps or satellite imagery that provide a fairly precise location of your property line. You should also be able to discover whether your location has a setback for public usage. Such setbacks mean that while you still technically own that section of land, you aren’t allowed to build on it because the city maintains the right to access your property for public usage such as utility line access, road expansion or sidewalk installation.

Old-School Style

If your municipality doesn’t offer online versions of lot plans, you can always find your property line using a measuring tape and a metal detector.

Whether you go high-tech or old-school, remember: Though you can determine a reasonably accurate idea of your property line yourself, if you need this information for legal action, you’ll want to contact a surveyor for an official verification of your lot line.

FAQ

Does my property line end at the sidewalk or the curb?

Wallace Real Estate realtor Kelly O’Connor answers this question: “This will vary from property to property. A survey/plat will show the exact lot lines so it’s always important to have one!” she says. She details, “In some cases, you may own all the way to the curb, with the sidewalk being a public easement. Most residential properties will have utilities near the street/curb so generally speaking, even if you own the land to the curb, you may not have full control or unrestricted use near the street. Always check the survey!

Who maintains the area between the sidewalk and the street?

Who is responsible for maintaining the area between the sidewalk and the street isn’t always the same. “This will vary depending on if the property is located in a subdivision. Some neighborhoods will maintain this, but most of the time it’s up to the homeowner to maintain. If it’s not located in a subdivision, it could be the city/counties responsibility to maintain,” explains O’Connor.

Can I build a fence right on my property line?

O’Connor weighs in on whether you can build a fence right on your property line: “Yes and no! This will depend on how your HOA guidelines are set up,” she says. “Some neighborhoods require a fence to be a certain distance off the property line and some prefer the fence to be right on the line so it doesn’t leave space between neighbors fencing (this can make it hard to mow). You’ll also want to consider utility and drainage easements when considering placement for fencing.”

About the Expert

Kelly O’Connor an Affiliate Broker at Coldwell Banker Wallace and is a member of the National Association of Realtors. She is a multi-million dollar producer who has been helping clients through the life-changing journey of buying, selling, and renting for over 14 years. She is involved in every part of the buying and selling process, from negotiating deals, coordinating inspections and financing, and making her clients comfortable and informed all the way through closing.

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