What is a Right of Way?
A public right of way is a private property that has been dedicated to the community for the purpose of public usage for things such as, but no limited to, motorized access, non-motorized and pedestrian access, trails, common areas, utility placement, and other forms of community benefit.
When a right of way is dedicated, the local governing body, which is in this case the City of Missoula, holds the right of way in trust for the public's usage.
Where are the Rights of Way?
Please note that the public right of way includes all of the following:
- Streets (developed or undeveloped) adjacent to the property to the center of the street
- Alleys (developed or undeveloped) adjacent to the property to the center of the alley
- In most cases, the developed portion of streets and alleys only take up about half of the actual right of way allotted on the plat for the street or alley. To determine your responsibility, find out how wide the street or alley right of way is and divide it in half.
- Common areas specified in the subdivision plat that are adjacent to the property
- Trails or public access easements that are adjacent to the property
- Utility easements that are adjacent to the property
Contact
For more information, please call 406-552-6630.