Lotlinie

Lotlinie, or property lot line, is the boundary that defines the extent of a land parcel and separates it from neighboring parcels or from public land. It represents the legal limits of ownership and is usually shown in official records such as deeds, plats, and cadastral maps. Ground markers may indicate the line on the site, though fences or other features do not always align exactly with the boundary.

Determination and recording: The exact location of the lotlinie is established through a combination of documented descriptions and field surveys. Deeds provide a boundary description, while plat maps and cadastral registers translate that description into a map. In the field, surveyors locate monuments or establish new markers to mark the line. The legal description and the physical markers together define the working boundary.

Legal and practical significance: The lotlinie affects building setbacks, fences, landscaping, and encroachments. Most jurisdictions require structures to respect the line, and encroachments beyond it can lead to remedies such as removal, relocation, or compensation. Easements and rights of way can run along or across a lotlinie, limiting or modifying how the land may be used.

Disputes and issues: Marker deterioration, natural changes, or historical inaccuracies can blur the line. When positions are disputed, a professional boundary survey or a court decision may be necessary to reestablish the line. In some places, the line is fixed by law and cannot be altered without a formal process.

Methods and tools: Modern practice combines deeds and plats with field measurements using total stations or GNSS, supported by aerial imagery and GIS. Documentation of the lotlinie is essential for ownership, development, taxation, and dispute avoidance.