Right of Way (ROW) can be simply defined as a rite of passage to another person’s land or property. This is a common term often used by land surveyors and civil engineers and is usually associated in land usage rights. To understand it more clearly, Right of Way is an easement, allowing an individual or entity to pass through a property for various reasons.

An example would be a driveway ROW that allows your neighbors, who have no access to a public walkway, to access the street across your land. Another example would be a right of way that allows services such as gas, water, electricity, telephone and drainage to pass through neighboring land.

4 Types of Right Of Way

Private Right of Way

A Private Right of Way is a type of ROW that allows an individual access to a property owned by another person to reach a public road. This type of ROW is common for properties that are landlocked and impossible to access by foot or by vehicle without going through another person’s property.

Property Right of Way

Property Right of Way is a type of ROW that allows individual access to a property owned by another person to reach a different location. This type of ROW is common for properties that are adjacent to another property owned by a different person, which has the only access to a public area such as a swamp, lake, or river.

Public Right of Way

Public Right of Way is a type of ROW that allows the public to travel over a private piece of land unhindered. This type of ROW is in reference to sidewalks and roads that are adjacent to private land.

Pipeline Right of Way

Pipeline Right of Way is a type of ROW that allows services such as gas and electricity to use a private piece of land to run pipelines that are vital to its operations. This type of ROW is permanently attached to the deed of the property and details the restriction on the use of the land where the ROW is located.

Knowing the details and information about the Right of Way and easements that are associated with your property is important and is required by law. It is crucial in the development and expansion of your land and property. Land surveying & civil engineering firms such as Godfrey-Hoffman & Hodge in Connecticut are experts in conducting professional boundary surveys that determine the extent of the right of way on land and properties. So before you plan for any developments on your land or purchase property make sure to contact a professional civil engineering & surveying firm first, so that you can have the assurance that everything will be done right the first time and you understand what rights you have or do not have.


Key Takeaways:

• A Right of Way (ROW) is defined as a rite of passage to another person’s land or property.

• There are 4 major ROW’s: Private, Property, Public and Pipeline.

• It is always best to conduct a professional survey on your land and property before planning any development or expansion.

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