An easement in gross is commonly granted for what purpose?

• A. To benefit a neighboring parcel in terms of ingress and egress
• B. To allow installation and maintenance of utilities across a property
• C. To create a fee simple interest in the land
• D. To run with the land and attach to a dominant estate

Answer: (B)

An easement in gross is a non-possessory interest that benefits a person or entity rather than a specific parcel of land. Because the benefit is to the holder rather than to a particular property, this type of easement is ideal for rights that must cross multiple properties to serve a utility or similar service. The most common use is to install and maintain utilities across a property—think power lines, pipelines, or sewer and water mains—where the right is tied to the utility rather than to any one neighboring parcel.

Ingress and egress that benefits a neighboring parcel is typically an easement appurtenant, because it benefits land and runs with the land to attach to a dominant estate. Creating a fee simple interest would grant ownership, not an easement. And an easement that runs with the land and attaches to a dominant estate describes an appurtenant easement, not one in gross.