What Is a Right-of-Way in Commercial Real Estate?
"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.
