County Road

[rotty22]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

a 1918 county map shows what appears to be a 20' road on the east side of my property. the county has not done anything with this 20'. is there a "statute of limitation", if you will, on how long the county has to use it before it can no longer be needed for a county road?

is this 20' public property? in other words, can anyone drive on it?

or, is this 20' my property and i can limit who can drive on it until the county decides to build their 20' road?

tia.

 

[not2cleverRed]

More relevant than a map that's nearly 100 years old would be your actual title/deed/related documents, which should describe your actual property.

If the county took ownership of this road through eminent domain for the purpose of building a road, but never built it, that does not negate the fact that the county owns it. They do not have to develop it EVER. Nor can you acquire the property through adverse possession.

Perhaps at some point there was an easement granted.

 

[FarmerJ]

Have you had a survey to show you exactly where your lot lines are ? You never said how old this map was nor did you say if it had any markings to show it to be a road that was in any kind of planning stages but not built ? you didn't say whats on the other side of the so called road but unless you learn whose land it is and you drove on it some time you might be stopped if its really not public owned. BUT since you say it was a county road that was not built why don't you and the other neighbor on the other side of it talk to your county board representatives to learn if the property can be split between the two of you so you each get slightly larger lots and the land is put back onto the property tax rolls then OR if the neighbor is not interested then see if the whole parcel can be added to yours ?

 

[FlyingRon]

As pointed out, step #1 is to get things researched (and possibly surveyed) to determine just what the status is.

If the county has no interest in ever building the road, you may be able to get them to vacate their rights to it.