What are surface rights?

Surface rights refer specifically to the rights that a property owner has to utilize and enjoy the surface of their land. This encompasses a variety of activities, such as building structures, landscaping, farming, and any other uses that take place on the land’s surface. These rights are an essential aspect of real estate ownership and reflect a property owner's ability to make decisions about how the land is utilized.

While the other choices touch upon various legal rights associated with property ownership, they do not accurately define surface rights. The right to store resources underground pertains more to subsurface rights, while mineral rights specifically grant access to and control over the natural resources found below the ground. The rights to control airspace focus on the space above the property, which is a separate legal consideration. Hence, the definition provided in the correct answer captures the essence of surface rights in the context of property ownership.