Taylor v. Warnaky

55 Cal. 350

• Court: California Supreme Court
• Decided: July 1, 1880
• Docket: No. 6,329
• Status: Published

Opinion

McKinstry, J.:

A “ way of necessity ” can only be created over one or two parcels of land of which the grantor was the owner when the same was conveyed or reserved; and it arises in favor of such parcel when the same is wholly surrounded by the grantor’s other land, or partly by this and partly by land of a stranger. This arises from the effect of the grant or reservation of the land itself, and is so far appurtenant to it as to pass with the land to another, provided he have no other way of access to the same. (Washburn’s Easem. and Serv., side p. 163, and cases there cited.)

Both the plaintiff and defendant derived title from the same source. The grantors of plaintiff’s immediate grantor were the owners of a tract which included both the lands of plaintiff and those subsequently by them conveyed to defendant—the latter adjoining those of the plaintiff, and lying between them and the county road. When the original owners conveyed to plaintiff’s grantor, the tract conveyed was entirely surrounded by other lands of such owners, and the lands of third parties. Neither the plaintiff nor his immediate grantor acquired a right of way through the lands of any person other than the original owners. “ It would be simply absurd under the common law to pretend that A. could, by any form of grant, create a servitude upon the land of a stranger in favor of land which he should convey to his grantee.” (Id.)

The findings present all the facts essential to create a “ way of necessity.” The plaintiff is not driven to a proceeding to condemn the land on payment of its value, since the right of way was acquired by him and his immediate grantor as appurtenant to the grant of his land.

Judgment and order affirmed.

Boss, J., and McKee, J., concurred.