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Property Ownership Land Use ControlsEncumbrances_and_liensMEDIUM

A California property owner has no legal access to a public road and cannot obtain a voluntary agreement from the adjacent landowner. Which type of easement is the property owner's most appropriate legal remedy?

Correct Answer

D) Easement by necessity, established through a court action

An easement by necessity is the correct remedy under California Civil Code §845 and established case law (e.g., Silacci v. Abramson). Courts recognize this easement when a parcel has no access to a public road and the landlocked condition resulted from a common grantor severing the property. The court grants access across the most reasonable route on the burdened parcel because the easement is essential to any beneficial use of the property.

Answer Options
A
Easement by prescription, acquired through open and continuous use for five years
B
Easement in gross, obtained by petitioning the local planning commission
C
Easement by estoppel, based on detrimental reliance on a prior representation
D
Easement by necessity, established through a court action

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

easement_by_necessitylandlocked_propertycourt_actionCivil_Code_1104
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