"Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a thriving hub for economic growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for commercial real estate investment." - Chris Evans

What Is a Right-of-Way and Why It Matters for Commercial Property

When buying commercial property in Texas, one term that comes up often — but doesn’t always get fully understood — is right-of-way.

It sounds technical, but it plays a major role in how a property functions.

What Is a Right-of-Way?

A right-of-way (ROW) is land reserved for public or shared use, typically for:

• Roads and highways

• Sidewalks

• Utilities

• Public access

In many cases, the right-of-way exists along the edge of a property where it meets a roadway.

Why Right-of-Way Affects Your Property

Buyers sometimes assume the visible edge of their property extends all the way to the street.

But in reality, a portion of that area may fall within the right-of-way.

This can affect:

• Where buildings can be placed

• Signage placement

• Parking layout

• Driveway positioning

Understanding ROW boundaries helps prevent design issues later.

Road Expansion Can Impact Right-of-Way

In growing areas like Houston, roadways are often expanded.

This can lead to:

• Additional right-of-way being acquired

• Reduced frontage depth

• Changes in access points

Buyers should always verify how much of their property may be affected by current or future roadway plans.

Surveys Help Define the True Usable Area

A professional survey shows:

• Property boundary lines

• Right-of-way limits

• Distance from improvements to the road

This helps buyers understand what portion of the land is actually usable for development.

Bottom Line

Right-of-way may seem like a small detail, but it can significantly impact how a commercial property is used and developed.

At South Texas Surveying, we help Houston commercial buyers clearly understand property boundaries and right-of-way limits before they commit.