Land use and encumbrances

Easement in gross

An easement benefiting a person or company rather than a neighboring parcel

There is a servient tenement but no dominant one, because the benefit belongs to someone rather than to land. Utility lines, pipelines and railroad rights of way are the standard examples, and commercial easements in gross are assignable and long-lived.

How the exam asks about it

If the question names a power company, a pipeline or a billboard operator, it is in gross. If it names a neighboring lot, it is appurtenant.

Related terms

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