Easement in Kentucky
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
Kentucky enforces easements under common law and requires clear language in deeds; prescriptive easements need 15 years of use.
How Kentucky treats Easement
Kentucky courts strictly construe easement language and disfavor implied easements unless necessity is clear. A prescriptive easement requires 15 years of open, notorious, exclusive, and uninterrupted use. Easements appurtenant run with the land and bind successors; easements in gross generally do not transfer unless the parties intend otherwise.
The general definition of Easement
The right to use someone else's land for a specific purpose, like crossing it or running utilities.
An easement gives one person or entity the legal right to use another person's property in a limited way. For example, a utility company might have an easement to run electric lines under your yard, or a neighbor might have an easement to cross your land to reach their property. The property owner still owns the land but cannot prevent the easement holder from exercising their right.
Read the full Easement entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Kentucky.