Opinion ID: 1255000
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the access road easement

Text: A prescriptive easement must be established by open notorious use of the servient property with the actual or imputed knowledge thereof by the owner of the servient tenement. The use must be continuous for a prescriptive period of five years and must be done under a claim of right. Webster v. Magleby, 98 Idaho 326, 327, 563 P.2d 50, 51 (1977). The use of the access road was open and known to both the Hesses and the Johnsons. The Nelsons and their predecessors in interest claimed a right of way in the access road, and no permission was given for such use until Johnson purported to do so in 1978. In fact, Mr. Johnson testified at trial that he believed the ranch owners had driven the cattle over the road by right. These facts established a prescriptive use of the road for the period between 1956 and 1978, at a minimum, which clearly meets the five year requirement. The finding of the trial court that a prescriptive easement had been established, being supported by substantial and competent evidence, is affirmed. Costs to the respondents. No attorney fees awarded. DONALDSON, C.J., and SHEPARD, BAKES and BISTLINE, JJ., concur.