Easement in Maine
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
Maine recognizes easements by grant, necessity, and prescription; prescriptive easements require 20 years of open use.
How Maine treats Easement
Maine follows common-law easement principles and requires prescriptive easements to meet the 20-year statutory period under Maine law. Express easements must be in writing and recorded to bind successors. Maine courts recognize easements by necessity when land is landlocked or when prior use patterns establish necessity at the time of conveyance.
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 Maine.