Definition of "Adjoining"

Gena Taylor real estate agent

Written by

Gena Taylorelite badge icon

Coldwell Banker FI Grey & Son Residential Inc.

Regarding the definition of the term adjoining, we see a term used most often to describe a particular position that objects, items, or properties have regarding each other. In the case of the term adjoining, that position is one of direct contact, attached, or contiguous. Strictly regarding the ordinary meaning of the word, adjoining describes closer proximity than adjacent as it requires a “joining” of objects, items, or properties. 

Adjoining in real estate

The term adjoining is also important in real estate lingo as it describes two buildings with a connecting boundary, a wall that they both share, a fence that connects the properties, and such. The term, however, is often used together with adjacent accompanied by a wide variety of environmental planning instruments as well as in development control plans. Something important to note is that when used together, they possibly refer to different concepts that determine the proximity of properties, buildings, and lots.

The term real estate adjoining can be used to describe abutting properties or adjoining properties as, in both instances, the two properties do not have any land or structure in between them. These properties can share a wall of the house, a fence in the backyard, or a line of trees that limits one property from the other. In any other way, the two properties are joined at one point or one line with nothing else separating them. Examples would be duplexes and townhouses. The concept is debated when issues of cadastral mapping come into question for buyers that are interested in lots that are devoid of any structures in order to have exact measurements of where one lot ends and the other begins.


Adjoining owners are the legal owners of adjoining properties that share a common structure at their border. Other terms that can be used instead of adjoining in real estate are abutting, neighboring, connected, or attached. Adjacent is close but not quite as directly connected as adjoining is and should not be used as a synonym.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Highest amount a property is worth equal to the amount that would have to be paid to buy equivalent property in the market place. ...

The amount of money a developer must directly invest in order to obtain a development loan. It pays for the initial development cost including costs for items such as architectural plans, ...

What is a balcony? A balcony is a platform that extends outwards from the upper level of a building, typically attached to a wall or supported by columns. Balconies can be made of various ...

Loss of property value due to external forces of events. ...

Court action to order a compulsory sale of real estate owned jointly between two or more owners. A partition action divides the proceeds of a real estate sale among the joint owners rather ...

It is an exterior decorative brick surface. The brick is not rendered. Painted, or plastered and is made various brick materials, including clay, to give a desired effect. ...

Right of a property owner located adjacent to an airfield to use the airspace above a certain distance to fly an airplane. However, the owner may not be allowed to put structures, signs or ...

Secondary demand created from a primary agent or facility. ...

Term indicating a resemblance or analogous to a legal classification. For example, a quasi corporation, quasi contract, quasi possession, quasi offense. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions