Define: Abut

“Abut” is a term used in real estate and land surveying to describe the situation where two parcels of land share a common boundary or touch each other. When two properties abut, they are adjacent to each other without any gaps or spaces between them. This term is commonly used in property descriptions, deeds, and legal documents to specify the relationship between neighbouring parcels of land. Knowing which properties abut each other is important for determining property boundaries, easements, and other legal rights and obligations associated with land ownership.

To reach; to touch. To touch at the end; be contiguous; join at a border or boundary; terminate on; end at; border on; reach or touch with an end. The term abutting implies a closer proximity than the term adjacent.

When referring to real property, abutting means that there is no intervening land between the abutting parcels. Generally, properties that share a common boundary are abutting. A statute may require abutting owners to pay proportional shares of the cost of a street improvement project.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.