Public Easement Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Public Easement, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Public Easement?

It is the priviledge or right of the public to use the property which is not their own. For instance the priviledge to use a pathway leading to the beach, from a private property. It is allowed or arranged so by the government.

History and Meaning of Public Easement

Public easement is a legal concept that allows the public to access and use certain property without owning it. It is a privilege or right granted by the government to citizens to use private property for specific purposes without owning it. The term dates back to ancient Rome, where roads were built to allow public access on private property. The concept has evolved to cover a wide range of areas such as roads, sidewalks, public parks, and beaches. In short, public easement is the right of the public to use property that does not belong to them for a specific purpose, provided by the property owner or government.

Examples of Public Easement

  1. A public park created on private property, like a charitable organization donating land to the city government for a public park.
  2. A public sidewalk constructed through private property, granting pedestrians the right to pass through.
  3. A beach path built on private land providing the public with access to the beach.

Legal Terms Similar to Public Easement

  1. Right of way - A right of way grants public access to a property to pass through without obliging the possessor of the land to hold ownership.
  2. Eminent domain - Eminent domain grants the government the right to seize private property for public use.
  3. Servitude - A servitude is an interest in land that allows for the use of someone else's property.