Can I sell part of my land to my neighbor?
Yes, often. A sale to an adjoining owner can usually go through a lot line adjustment, which moves a boundary and creates no new lot. Many places treat that as simpler than a subdivision. Both parcels must still meet local rules afterward, so check with your county planning office first.
Request an offerCan I sell part of my land to my neighbor without a subdivision?
Often you can, because many governments treat a boundary change between neighbors differently from creating a new lot. The tool is usually called a lot line adjustment or boundary line adjustment.
San Bernardino County, California requires a lot line adjustment to move the line between two to four adjacent parcels. In its words, "land is taken from one parcel and added to an adjacent parcel. No additional parcels may be created and the number of parcels may not be reduced."
Washington state law exempts boundary line adjustments from its subdivision rules under RCW 58.17.040(6). The exemption holds only if it creates no additional lot. It must also leave no lot too small or narrow to build on.
Utah's Town of Brian Head describes the same idea. It calls for staff review and approval. The adjustment must not change the number of lots. All owners of the lots being adjusted must consent.
When does a neighbor sale count as a new lot?
A neighbor sale can count as a new lot if the piece you sell stays a separate parcel instead of joining your neighbor's parcel. The rules above all depend on no additional parcel being created.
If your neighbor wants a separate lot, or the piece would leave either parcel below local minimums, you are in subdivision territory. Read how to subdivide land for the approval steps. Ask the planning office which path your sale fits.
What paperwork does a neighbor sale need?
A neighbor sale needs a legal description of the piece you sell, and a licensed surveyor usually writes it. Butler County, Ohio asks for a plat of survey and a legal description of the split-off piece, and the description also goes in the deed.
Brian Head requires every owner of the lots being adjusted to consent. After approval, you sign a deed and record it with the county. Ask the planning office whether your county also wants a recorded lot line adjustment document.
Does the piece I sell need an access easement?
The piece you sell needs legal access, and an easement across your remaining land may provide it. Put the easement in writing, record it, and describe it by survey. This matters most if you keep the front lot and sell the back.
Driveway rules matter too. Pickaway County, Ohio requires county engineer approval for new driveways onto county and township roads, and state approval for state or federal highways. Check who controls the road you front.
What happens to my mortgage and taxes if I sell part of my land?
If a mortgage covers the whole parcel, the lender must agree to release the part you sell. A release clause in your loan papers may spell out how. Many lenders ask for a paydown, a survey and the sale price. Read your loan documents and call your lender early.
After the sale, the assessor usually sets up a separate tax parcel for each piece. Ask the county when that happens and how back taxes are handled. Unpaid taxes on the parent parcel can hold up a closing.
Is it simpler to sell the whole parcel?
Selling the whole parcel is simpler when you do not need the remainder, because it skips the survey, fees and approval risk. It also makes sense when the remainder would be too small or has no access. Use our net proceeds calculator to compare, and read cash sale vs. listing.
Liberty Acres is a family-owned land company. We buy land anywhere in the US, in any condition, and close through a title company. We pay back taxes and all closing costs, with no agents and no commissions. We can close in as little as 14 days. Most sales close within a few weeks to a few months, once the title work is done. If a mortgage covers the land, the title company pays it off from the sale price at closing.
A real sale from our files
A Minnesota owner wanted to keep his house and the back acreage, so he sold us only four front parcels. He needed a driveway easement written into the contract, and his own attorney reviewed it. We closed 14 days after signing.
Names and identifying details are left out to protect the seller's privacy.
Common questions
Can I sell part of my land to my neighbor?
Often yes. Many counties allow a lot line adjustment, which moves a boundary between adjoining parcels and creates no new lot. Both parcels must still meet local rules, so call the planning office first.
What is a lot line adjustment?
It is a boundary change between adjacent parcels. San Bernardino County, California describes it as land taken from one parcel and added to an adjacent parcel, with no additional parcels created.
Do I need a survey to sell part of my land?
Almost always. The piece needs its own legal description, and a licensed surveyor writes it. Some counties set survey standards.
What if my land has a mortgage?
The lender must release the part you sell. Check your loan papers for a partial release clause and call your lender early.
Is it easier to sell the whole parcel?
Sometimes. It skips the survey, fees and approval risk. It works best when you do not need the remainder.