A parking easement is a recorded legal right that lets the owner or users of one property park on another property, under terms set out in the easement.
Easements are a common way to meet parking requirements with off-site parking, to share a garage among neighboring buildings, or to preserve access when a property is subdivided or sold. Because an easement is recorded and usually runs with the land, it survives changes in ownership, which makes it more durable than a lease or an informal agreement.
What an easement typically covers
- Which spaces, how many, and whether they are assigned or shared.
- Hours, users and permitted uses.
- Maintenance, repair, insurance and cost sharing.
- Access routes, signage and enforcement.
- Term, termination and what happens if the parking is redeveloped.
Why it matters
- Cities often require a recorded easement or covenant before accepting off-site parking toward a requirement.
- Lenders and buyers check easements in due diligence; a weak or expiring one can cloud a property’s approvals.
- An easement can lock in capacity a future owner would rather redevelop, so terms deserve care on both sides.
The Parkonomics view
An easement turns a handshake into infrastructure. Write it for the next owner, not the current one, because that is who will rely on it.
Related terms: Off-Site Parking, Shared Parking, Parking Ordinances, Required Parking Spaces, Fees in Lieu, Bailment