Does an easement restrict a landowner’s ability to sell, develop, or bequeath land in the future?
Land protected by a conservation easement may be sold, bequeathed or otherwise transferred at any time. An easement may apply only to certain portions of a property, preserving open or wooded areas, for example, while permitting development of the remainder. In other cases an easement covering an entire parcel might allow some very limited development to occur. Transfer of ownership will not affect the integrity or enforceability of the easement. Restrictions defined in the recorded conservation easement run with the title to the property, providing landowners an effective means of perpetuating conservation stewardship.
