Which of the following best defines an easement?

An easement is best defined as a legal right that allows an individual or entity to use another person's land for a specified purpose, without owning that land. This could involve rights for walkway access, utility installation, or water drainage, among other uses. The key aspect of an easement is that it provides the holder of the easement with the ability to utilize a portion of someone else's property, while ownership of that property remains with the original owner.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of an easement. Planting crops on land relates to agricultural practices, ownership transfers involve the complete sale or conveyance of a property, and taxes on property sales pertain to financial obligations resulting from transactions rather than rights of use. Understanding easements is crucial in code enforcement, as they often affect land use and property rights.