Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Contract for Sale and Purchase of Permanent Easement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

RIGHT-OF-WAY CONTRACT

Project Name:

County:

Project No:

Parcel No:

THIS AGREEMENT, made this day of , 20

between

COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of Idaho, by its authorized representative herein called "COUNTY," and

, herein called "GRANTOR".

WHEREAS, Grantor herewith delivers to County a Warranty Deed for roadway purposes.

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. County shall pay Grantor and the Lienholder(s), if any, such sums of monies as are set out below. Grantor agrees to pay all taxes and assessments due and owing, including those for the year and and Grantor shall execute and deliver to County a notarized instrument of conveyance corresponding to the interest being acquired.

2. This contract shall not be binding unless and until executed by the County or its authorized representative.

3. The parties have herein set out the whole of their agreement, the performance of which constitutes the entire consideration for the grant of said right-of-way and shall relieve the County of all future claims or obligations on that account or on account of the location, grade and construction of the proposed roadway.

4. Grantor represents that to the best of their knowledge no hazardous materials have been stored or spilled on the subject property during their ownership or during previous ownerships at least insofar as they observed or have been informed. In the alternative, if the Grantor has knowledge of storage or spill of hazardous materials on the subject property, that information is set out below. This agreement is conditional upon full disclosure of any such information.

5. County will pay Grantor for right-of-way as follows:

square feet/acres of right-of-way $

Site Improvements $

TOTAL CONSIDERATION $

6. Legal and Physical Possession

Grantor agrees to give the County legal and physical possession of the property herein being purchased by the County on acceptance of this document, or upon Grantor's receipt of payment, whichever date is later.

7. Ingress and Egress:

Grantor hereby grants the County, or its contractor a Temporary Easement of ingress and egress for construction of roadway, sidewalks, fencing and approaches, or any other item requiring a Temporary Easement. Said Easement to terminate upon completion of construction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement the day and year first above written.

COUNTY, IDAHO

Recommended for Approval GRANTOR:

By:

BY:

County Clerk

SSN

Enter text

What this Contract Is and when it’s used

A Contract for Sale and Purchase of Permanent Easement is a written agreement transferring a perpetual right to use a portion of real property for a specific purpose, such as utilities, access, or drainage. The document identifies the grantor and grantee, describes the easement area with metes-and-bounds or recorded parcel reference, states consideration, and sets terms for maintenance, access, indemnity, and any restrictions. Recording the signed instrument in the county land records creates public notice and often shapes enforceability and priority among subsequent claims.

Why a clear easement contract matters

A well-drafted permanent easement contract reduces title risk, clarifies rights and obligations, and facilitates financing or development. Clear exhibits, a defined scope of use, and recorded notice protect both parties and reduce later disputes over access, maintenance, or neighboring property uses.

Why a clear easement contract matters

Who commonly prepares or signs an easement contract

The document is typically prepared and executed by landowners, utilities, developers, and municipal authorities.

  • Private Landowners negotiating access or utility rights for third parties.
  • Public Agencies or utilities acquiring rights for infrastructure or public works.
  • Real Estate Developers and contractors securing permanent access or drainage corridors.

Parties should involve title professionals and counsel when complex rights, boundary issues, or recording conditions are present.

Typical signer roles and responsibilities

Buyer

A public utility, developer, or private party acquiring the easement. The buyer must confirm the easement description matches survey records, ensure consideration is correct, and verify recording requirements and title insurance implications before payment.

Seller

The fee owner granting the easement who must warrant ownership, execute accurate legal descriptions, disclose encumbrances, and cooperate with recording. Sellers should confirm authorized signatories and any corporate or trust approvals are in place.

Key legal and security elements to include

Legal Description: Parcel and metes-bounds
Consideration: Dollar amount or value
Use Scope: Permitted activities
Maintenance: Responsibility allocation
Indemnity: Liability limits
Recording: County filing details

Common legal risks and consequences

Unclear Description: May render easement unenforceable
Failure to Record: Priority disputes with later purchasers
Mismatched Signatures: Title insurer may refuse coverage
Incorrect Consideration: Tax and rescission risk
Missing Authority: Corporate approval defects
Notary/Witness Errors: Recording rejection or challenge

Frequent drafting and processing pitfalls

  • Using vague terms like 'reasonable access' without measurable limits, which fuels later disputes over frequency or scope of use.
  • Attaching a non-certified survey or incorrect parcel ID; recording instruments should use the exact recorded description required by the county recorder.
  • Omitting express maintenance and restoration obligations for utilities or construction, leaving ambiguous cost-sharing disputes.
  • Failing to confirm signatory authority for entities, trusts, or estates, which can produce challenges to validity and recording acceptance.

Step-by-step: Completing the easement contract

Follow these steps in order to prepare, execute, and record a permanent easement agreement correctly.

  • 01
    1. Verify Title: Obtain current title report and confirm grantor ownership.
  • 02
    2. Prepare Description: Use an approved survey or recorded parcel reference.
  • 03
    3. Set Consideration: Specify payment method, timing, and escrow if used.
  • 04
    4. Execute & Record: Sign with required notarization and promptly record.

Process flow from negotiation to recording

A concise workflow shows who does what and when during the easement transfer process.

  • Negotiate Terms: Parties agree on scope, access, and consideration.
  • Survey & Exhibit: Surveyor prepares map and legal description.
  • Draft Agreement: Counsel drafts contract and exhibits.
  • Record Instrument: Execute, notarize, and file with county recorder.

Six essential contract sections to review closely

Each section below addresses a core risk or operational requirement for permanent easements; confirm precise language and attachments before signing.

Grant Language

Precise conveyance clause stating the easement is permanent, describing the purpose and specifying rights granted, limitations, subordination, and any exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Legal Description

Attach a survey or recorded-referencing description with bearings, distances, and exhibit map; reference parcel ID and recording book/page or instrument number.

Consideration Clause

Identify monetary amount or in-kind consideration, payment schedule, escrow instructions, tax allocation, and any release upon full payment.

Maintenance & Repair

Allocate routine maintenance, repair obligations, restoration after work, and procedures for dispute resolution or cost-sharing among parties.

Access & Entry

Specify permitted entry times, notice requirements, traffic control expectations, and restoration obligations to limit interference with remaining property.

Recording & Title

Require prompt recording in the county where the property is located and include representations about unencumbered title or existing encumbrances.

Common timing milestones to track

Use these practical timing checkpoints to reduce recording delays and closing surprises.

Execution Date:

Date parties sign; establishes the contractual start

Effective Date:

Date rights commence as stated in the agreement

Closing/Payment:

Payment or escrow release tied to conditions precedent

Recording Recommendation:

Record promptly; counties often process within days to weeks

Survey Delivery:

Provide final survey or exhibit before recording or closing

eSignature vendor snapshot for executing easement agreements

Basic vendor pricing and feature highlights important to parties executing and recording permanent easements; signNow is listed first per guidance.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial No No No No
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions and practical answers

Clear answers to common execution, recording, and e-signature questions when working with permanent easements.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users