What do littoral rights govern?

Littoral rights specifically pertain to the rights of landowners whose properties are adjacent to large bodies of water, such as oceans and lakes. These rights typically allow property owners to use and enjoy the water, its resources, and the land bordering it, while ensuring that their use does not infringe upon the rights of others. Littoral rights include the right to access the water, the right to fish, and sometimes the right to enjoy the view and access to the shore.

This distinction is crucial in property law as it delineates the specific privileges afforded to those living by larger bodies of water compared to other types of property rights, such as riparian rights, which govern properties adjacent to rivers and streams. The focus on oceanfront or lakefront properties addresses the unique considerations, like tidal influences and public access, that are not applicable to other types of land adjacent to smaller waterways or mineral rights.