Which of the following best describes encroachment?

Encroachment refers to a situation where a structure or an object intrudes upon or crosses the boundary line of an adjacent property without permission from the property owner. This often involves physical extensions, such as a fence, building, or tree branches that extend beyond the intended property line. Such intrusions can lead to legal disputes, as the property owner may seek to have the encroachment removed or may need to address the implications of the encroachment on their property rights.

The other descriptions do not accurately capture what encroachment entails. The addition of neighboring property suggests that there is some form of agreement or exchange, which is not the nature of encroachment. The legal use of land without permission could refer to various scenarios of trespassing or easement, but it fails to specify the physical aspect of crossing the property line that defines encroachment. The idea of permitted overlapping of land usage might imply some form of easement or shared use, which also does not encompass the unauthorized nature of encroachment. Thus, the characterization of encroachment as an illegal intrusion across property boundaries is the most accurate.