Removing overlaps from existing polygons

If you have overlapping polygons that you want to make coincident or adjacent, you can clip out the overlapping portion. When using this method, keep in mind that all editable features underneath the feature you are using to clip with will be clipped. Clip is commonly used to remove the more significant and obvious overlaps among polygons.

If you have ArcGIS for Desktop Standard or ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced, you can also use geodatabase topology and the Must Not Overlap rule.

Steps:

1. Select the polygon feature whose border you want to maintain. The other polygon will be clipped back to match it.
2. Click the Editor menu and click Clip.
3. Set the buffer distance to 0 and choose to discard the area that intersects.
4. Click OK.