California Surveyors Forums

Certain parcels of land are owned by States, Cities, Counties, Federal, etc. One I am dealing with in LA is a State Right of Way. There is no APN for this area. A client wants to know if they have easement or license rights across the parcel. Will a title company be willing and able to pull a title report to check for easements? Does anyone have a title contact in LA for that purpose?

Thanks

Ken Wilson

If it is a state right of way, you can contact the local Caltrans (District 7) right of way department and get the right of way map first to examine it. (free service) State tends to take title in fee.
Any title company First American for example or Chicago Title can. There will be a fee associated, so make sure that you and the client is aware of the cost.

. . . and be advised - a Preliminary Report isn't worth the paper its written on.

Since the Great Recession - the title companies cut loose most of their title plant people that knew how to "post" deeds, etc. to parcels.

No longer. And some Prelims are terrible. I assume they are not training new blood on the plant side of the title industry. Cheaper to pay a claim than do all that work and employ all those knowledgeable plant persons.

Crazy Phil again - Surveyor to Recorder

Ken

I have a lot of knowledge in LA County. Worked there for 38 years. Post a site location or pm me. I have access to a lot of records. Glad to help

If your client is wondering whether he has the right to directly access the state highway, the Caltrans R/W maps will show if there is access denial there or not. Even without access denial, a driveway could still be deemed an illegal encroachment if there is no encroachment permit. An inquiry to the Caltrans encroachment permit office may be a good route.