What rights govern lakefront or oceanfront property for homeowners?

The correct choice for the rights governing lakefront or oceanfront property is littoral rights. Littoral rights pertain specifically to properties that are adjacent to large bodies of water, such as lakes and oceans. These rights allow homeowners access to and use of the water, as well as typically include the rights to enjoy the land up to the high-water mark of the water body. Homeowners with littoral rights may have the ability to construct structures such as docks and piers, provided they comply with local regulations.

In contrast, riparian rights relate to properties adjacent to flowing water, such as rivers and streams, where the rights involve access to and use of the water for purposes like irrigation. Surface rights are associated with the ownership of land and the right to use the surface of a property, while air rights deal with the space above the land. Each of these terms applies to different scenarios, which is essential to understand in the context of property ownership and rights.