builtright3 Posted Tuesday at 06:44 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 06:44 PM Hey Guy's, I was trying to figure out the best way I can verify utility easements for the properties that I’m drawing plans for and building on. I would usually tell the owners to get me the tile /deed for the property and also go to the county clerk’s office but I’m told that is not always accurate. I’m also being told that the best way is to get a preliminary report from a title company but that takes a little time and is very expensive. I’m working in California. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renerabbitt Posted Tuesday at 09:44 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 09:44 PM 3 hours ago, builtright3 said: Hey Guy's, I was trying to figure out the best way I can verify utility easements for the properties that I’m drawing plans for and building on. I would usually tell the owners to get me the tile /deed for the property and also go to the county clerk’s office but I’m told that is not always accurate. I’m also being told that the best way is to get a preliminary report from a title company but that takes a little time and is very expensive. I’m working in California. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Most counties have a GIS and for each property on the GIS their is typically a link buried somewhere to the assessors map of record Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobDesLLC Posted yesterday at 12:04 AM Share Posted yesterday at 12:04 AM (edited) I order a new survey for every project (where required), so I leave it to the surveyor to figure out. It limits my liability. I also get a DWG of the survey to create my topo model from. Edited yesterday at 12:04 AM by RobDesLLC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted 22 hours ago Author Share Posted 22 hours ago 17 hours ago, Renerabbitt said: Most counties have a GIS and for each property on the GIS their is typically a link buried somewhere to the assessors map of record Yes, I use those maps all the time. What I have learned is that as architects, designers and builders we need to show absolute proof that we are not building over an easement. With these new ADU guidelines we can build up to 4 feet from the property line in the back and sides of the property but what is being over looked is that Edison easements are typically in the back of the property and depending on where the pole is located the setback is usually 4,5 or 6 feet from the back property line. We are opening ourselves up for future lawsuits if we don’t have documentation of where these easements are. Yesterday I contacted a Title company that I will be using on all future jobs where this could possibly be an issue. From what I have learned that getting a PRELIMINARY REPORT from a title company is your most accurate way of getting the information needed. I have a current property now that the city will allow me to build 4’ feet to the property line but Edison has a 6 foot easement. The cities are not regulating this, it is up to the homeowner, builder and architect. This could be a big problem for me down the road if I were to build over their easement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted 21 hours ago Author Share Posted 21 hours ago Any other input or questions from others on this subject may be helpful to each other. I think it is a good topic to open up for discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgearaya Posted 21 hours ago Share Posted 21 hours ago (edited) @builtright3 why would any jurisdiction allow you to build over an easement? I don't see the issue at all! Unless someone decides to build without permits. The moment you submit your plans to any jurisdiction, it undergoes the review process by all pertinent departments, if you are showing your structure over an easement, you will get a correction stating that there's an easement there! I kept from posting because the op was of no value. Property research should be part of all projects and part of your contract, so no mistakes are made. Either you do the legwork or have a "gopher" to run your errands. If the jurisdiction has GIS they likely also have a Surveyor's GIS which is different and you can search their maps there. If the jurisdiction has GIS you can easily find the APN, with it you can find where to download the parcel map, with that you can read it and find the book and page of the survey map, with that you find the surveyor's GIS and go through all the maps if more than one is available and read the maps to see if an easement exists! If all that fails and you still want to double check, send the "gopher" to the county recorder's office and request the record of survey for your area as well as any recorded easements. If you have been in this business long enough you may also want to ask if any easements have been "quit deed" or are discontinued. Hope this helps. Edited 21 hours ago by jorgearaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted 20 hours ago Author Share Posted 20 hours ago Yes you would think that the city would regulate this before you get a permit but the simple fact is that some cities do not and do not take liability. The reason all of this came up with me is that I was told by an Edison planner that they have had over 100 lawsuits in the La Area just over the last year. I’m not typically asked to show the easement information on my plan but now they are asking. I have not had to deal with this in my 34 years of business because I have mainly drawn and built room additions. Now that I have been building ADU’s a lot has changed for me. I’m putting this out there to possibly help others that are in my situation. Not all contractors that draw their own plans are aware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted 18 hours ago Author Share Posted 18 hours ago 18 hours ago, RobDesLLC said: I order a new survey for every project (where required), so I leave it to the surveyor to figure out. It limits my liability. I also get a DWG of the survey to create my topo model from. I’m not always required to have a surveyor because the boundaries are pretty clear on most lots but sometimes on larger projects or lots were the boundaries aren’t clear. Thanks for your input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renerabbitt Posted 18 hours ago Share Posted 18 hours ago 2 hours ago, jorgearaya said: why would any jurisdiction allow you to build over an easement? They don't You have a setback requirement, in this case 4' you have an easement, in this case 6' you could build up to the 4' setback, if their were no easement, but there is one, so you cannot encroach on that easement. All the planning dept will do will check to see if your setbacks match criteria, and are unaware of an easement on your particular property...hence the lawsuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtright3 Posted 17 hours ago Author Share Posted 17 hours ago 40 minutes ago, Renerabbitt said: They don't You have a setback requirement, in this case 4' you have an easement, in this case 6' you could build up to the 4' setback, if their were no easement, but there is one, so you cannot encroach on that easement. All the planning dept will do will check to see if your setbacks match criteria, and are unaware of an easement on your particular property...hence the lawsuits Thank you, Rene, I'm not always good at articulating what I’m trying to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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