Blog · September 27, 2026
What Is a Party Wall
A party wall is a shared wall on or astride a lot line, with rights in both owners, usually written in a recorded agreement or on the plat.
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Townhouse and zero-lot-line projects depend on it. Each owner may use the wall, and neither may tear it down.
On the recorded sheet
The plat should show the wall on the line and refer to the declaration. The declaration covers repair costs.
The mix-up to avoid
A fence on the line is not a party wall. A party wall is a structural wall the documents create.
Find the county map
Start at Platbookmapper, search the county, and open the local GIS link. Write down the parcel number before you compare the screen to a paper plat.
Not a survey. County GIS and tax parcel maps are assessment and planning layers. They are not a substitute for a recorded plat, deed, or licensed survey.