What is a utility easement?

A utility easement is the authorization a landowner gives to a utility company that allows them to use that property for other purposes, such as overhead electric lines or underground water and Internet lines. A utility easement compensates the person living on the property for the use of the land.

There are multiple types of easements, including rights of way, prescriptive easements, easements by implication and easements by necessity. All of these different utility easements compensate home and property owners so utility companies can construct and maintain overhead electric, telephone and cable lines, as well as underground lines, such as electric, water and sewage.