

There are geographical locations all over the US that serve as a base reference. It is used in all states except for the original 13 colonies, the states created from these colonies and Kentucky, West Virginia and Texas. The rectangular land survey system was adopted by the federal government in 1785. The example below is a more complicated metes and bounds legal description. Writing a metes and bounds description is a job for a land surveyor.Ī typical metes and bounds description is as follows:īeginning at a point (POB) on the North side of James Street 50 feet East from the corner formed by the intersection of the East boundary of Peter Road and the North boundary of James Street thence East 90 degrees 200 feet thence North 300 feet thence West 200 feet thence direct to the POB. A critical feature is the Point of Beginning POB. Metes refers to distance and bounds to direction. Be sure to contact the county’s register of deeds office and real property tax lister directly if you need more county specific information.There are 4 types of legal descriptions used in real estate in the USA. All other exceptions should be typed out as a best practice.ĭisclaimer: Each county may have some variations with how they index legal descriptions of documents in their recording system, if the above recommendations are followed, there should be fewer issues. NOTE : Government Lots and Quarter (¼) Quarter (¼) of Metes and Bounds descriptions will be best recognized when provided at the beginning or the end of the legal description.Įxceptions in legal descriptions : Volume, Page and Document Numbers referring to exceptions in legal descriptions for lands conveyed to the DOT or a Certified Survey Map are appropriate. Government Lot 1 in Section 14, Township 20 North, Range 11 East, Town of Turquoise Waters, Paradise County, Wisconsin, described as follows:… 326065 located in the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 2, Township 18 North, Range 11 East, Town of Sea Shells, Paradise County, Wisconsin.Ī parcel of land located in the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 2, Township 18 North, Range 11 East, Town of Sea Turtles, Paradise County, Wisconsin, described as follows:… 3000 as recorded in Volume 12 of CSM’s, as Document No.

706.05(2)(c)) and Best Practices for Complete Legal:Ī parcel of land being part of Lot 1, Block 1, Sunset Point, Town of Palm Trees, Paradise County, Wisconsin, described as follows:…Ĭertified Survey Map description example: Descriptions of easements for the construction, operation, or maintenance of electric, gas, railroad, water, sewer, telecommunications, or telephone lines or facilities…”Įxamples of “entry ready” (s.
#METES AND BOUNDS LEGAL DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE FULL#
706.05(2m)(b) states, “The requirement of a full legal description under par. Statutory exception to complete legal description : s. 706.01(7r)(b)Īssessor’s Plats require at a minimum Lot or Outlot number, Block number (as applies) and Assessor’s Plat name. 236.34(3)Ĭondominiums require at a minimum Unit number, Condominium name and appurtenance number. 236.45(2)(am)Ĭertified Survey Maps require at a minimum Lot or Outlot number, Map number, Volume and Page, if assigned, AND Document Number where map is recorded and County name.

s 236.28 including the description reference to “County Plat”, “Town Plat” or “Municipal Plat” s. Plat/Subdivisions require at a minimum Lot, Outlot and Block number (as applies) and the Plat/Subdivision name. Metes & bounds require at a minimum the Quarter Section, Section, Township, Range and metes and bounds description associated with the Public Land Survey System or Private Claim or Government Lot. Documents pertaining to real estate require the complete legal description of the property.
