Codes & compliance · Glossary
Easement
An easement is a recorded legal right that allows a specific party to use a portion of a property for a defined purpose (utility access, shared driveway, drainage path). Easements show on title and restrict where structures can be built. ADUs and additions are commonly blocked or downsized by recorded easements.
Why this matters for renovation projects
Easement shows up on permits, contracts, or estimates that Renology covers across LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and Denver. Most homeowners encounter the term once a project is already mid-flight, when there is no time to learn its mechanics without slowing the contractor. Knowing what it means before signing the contract is the difference between a clean project and an avoidable surprise. For how Renology calibrates cost ranges against permit valuations and contractor invoices, see the methodology.