Legal Definitions - aboutissement

Aboutissement refers to the point where one piece of land or property meets or borders another. It describes the boundary or line of contact between adjacent properties, or between a property and a public way, a natural feature, or another structure. Essentially, it defines where one thing abuts another.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Residential Property Line: Imagine two neighboring houses, House A and House B, that share a common property line marked by a fence. The specific line where House A's land ends and House B's land begins is an aboutissement. This boundary dictates where each homeowner's rights and responsibilities for their property begin and end, often impacting things like fence maintenance or landscaping.

• Commercial Property and Public Road: A new retail store is being constructed in a bustling downtown area. The edge of the store's property that directly touches the public sidewalk and the street is an aboutissement. This boundary is crucial for understanding access rights, setback requirements, and the division of responsibility for maintaining the sidewalk or managing traffic flow adjacent to the property.

• Land Bordering a Natural Feature: Consider a large farm that extends to the bank of a river. The specific line or area where the farm's land meets the river's edge is an aboutissement. This boundary is important for determining water rights, environmental regulations concerning the riverbank, and potential flood zone considerations that impact the farm's operations.