For example, you can say the east of section 3. That means the property is 320 acres and located on the east half of that section. First, the system makes it easier to divide large areas of land into like-sized parcels, as large as 640 square miles to as small as 2.5 acres. Because the rectangular or government survey system was instituted when the United States was a new country, it was used to describe most of the land west of the original 13 colonies, so most of you are likely to see some questions about this system.\r\n\r\nLongitude and latitude are imaginary lines that divide the earth through the north and south poles (longitude) and run parallel with the equator (latitude). The first set of lines are called the principal meridians and run north and south. Attachments & Severance in Real Estate: Definitions, Examples & Laws. Also known as the rectangular survey system or public land survey system, the government survey system refers to a federal land survey system that uses (north and south lines) meridians and (east and west lines) base lines. You got it: Tic tac toe. )\r\nThe description probably would include the state and county in which the property is located and use abbreviations. ","description":"The rectangular survey system, often referred to as the government survey system, is based on a system of lines that form rectangles and squares throughout the United States. For example, you would say, it is in township 3 north, range 5 east, to identify a property. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Way in which the U.S. government uses to subdivide public land. So, you can refer to the south (S) 1/2 of the northwest (NW) 1/4 of a section in a township, for example. Range lines run north and south between the principal meridians and are spaced out every six miles. For example, a legal description of Missouri, Fifth Principal Meridian, T4S, R7E, sec 23 indicates a property that is 4 townships south and 7 townships east of the Fifth Principal Meridian in Missouri. Real Estate License Wizard2009 MacKenzie WaySuite 100Cranberry Twp, PA 16066Phone: (412) 212-3240Email: info [at] realestatelicensewizard.com. The township is the basic unit of measurement in the rectangular survey system. The rectangular survey describes property location as fractions of sections, which are part of townships, and provide distance measurements from principal meridians, base lines and range lines. Sections also are numbered consecutively. is a way of subdividing and describing land in the United States. Novation in Real Estate | Novation of Contract. The second row down continues being numbered west to east or left to right. View Rectangular Government Survey System.pdf from PLST 222 at Liberty University. Also Check: Government Help With Home Down Payment. The range lines run north and south parallel to the principal meridians. Simply multiply 640 by or 0.25, which equals 160, then multiply 160 by 1/2 or 0.5, which equals 80. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. The area includes sections (1 mile on each side), townships (6 miles on each side), and quadrangles (24 miles on each side). Public Land Survey System - Sidwell Rectangular Surveys FamilySearch The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Every fourth township line is called a correction line, and every fourth range line is called a guide meridian. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Youre likely to see at least a few questions on the real estate license exams on calculating the area of part of a section, and youll also see questions about terminology and some of the measurements that the rectangular survey system uses. Take for example there is a shared baseline in both Nebraska and Kansas as both states border is at the 40th parallel north. The government survey system is known by a few different names. A government check represents an area that measures 576 square miles.\r\n\r\nRemember that although these correction lines and guide meridians are the way the government deals with the issue of the earths curvature, it isnt the way the government survey system describes land. They are the starting points for describing a propertys boundaries. Read Also: Government Grants For Commercial Real Estate. The legal description includes the state name, the meridian name, the township and range directions, and usually the section number. Half sections have an area of 320 acres. They are the starting points for describing a propertys boundaries. These townships are not the same as political subdivisions.\r\n

Each township is further divided into 36 sections of one square mile each, or 640 acres, by horizontal and vertical section lines. Shawn Custer has taught college-level English, composition, and literature for over six years. Whether it's to pass that big test, qualify for that big promotion or even master that cooking technique; people who rely on dummies, rely on it to learn the critical skills and relevant information necessary for success. The system is based on the principle of surveying the land from a fixed point, called a baseline, and . Whenever properties have irregular boundaries, the land may be further described using one of the two other systems described in this section. The Government Rectangular Survey Method - Maria Center The rectangular survey or government survey describes Now known as the Public Land Survey System, this system divided the western lands into grid-shaped townships and sections. The north-south line that runs through the initial point is a, ). Livable, Rentable & Usable Area: Definition & Examples. Using principal meridians and baselines as points of reference, land areas are divided by two kinds of lines, township lines and range lines. 2021 KnowYourGovernment.netContact us: [emailprotected], Introduction to administration of Web Survey System Part 2, Estimating a weighted average CSR2 in Iowa using the USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey, How To Find Lost Money From The Government, What Is The Interest Rate On Government Student Loans, Local Government Federal Credit Union App, When Is Open Enrollment For Government Healthcare, Government Grants For Commercial Real Estate, Government Regulations For Nonprofit Organizations, Surveyor General of the Northwest Territory, Energy Efficient Windows Government Grants, Mortgage Loans For Federal Government Employees, Free Government Foreclosure Listings With Pictures. succeed. The image does not specifically designate which meridian or state, but as they are all divided and labeled the same, this could represent any section of land along any meridian that would be identified in the legal description. Using those lines for references, quadrangles are formed, which are smaller squares identifiable by where they are located near the principal meridian and baseline. The PLSS is actually a series of surveys that divide land into townships that are six miles. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Each section is numbered, starting at the top right corner and going back and forth, left to right, in a serpentine pattern. Remember, there are 36 square miles in a township, and each section is 1 square mile. Township lines run east and west and are also found six miles apart. Those states are: An error occurred trying to load this video. Land Description Government Rectangular Survey For 2019 | Real Estate Exam Prep. Rectangular Survey System - 50th-reunion.com Section information is added to the property description as such: Missouri, Fifth Principal Meridian, T5S, R4W, sec 24. How Do You Use the Rectangular Survey System? So, you can refer to the south (S) 1/2 of the northwest (NW) 1/4 of a section in a township, for example. You may even see a question or two about the numbering system used for sections. The sections are number 1 through 36 starting in the NE corner of the section continuing west along the top row. - The system, which was adopted in 1785, is also called the U.S. System of Rectangular Surveys or the rectangular method. An area bounded on two sides by guide meridians and on the other two sides by correction lines is called a government check, check, or quadrangle, which is 24 miles square, meaning each of its boundaries is 24 miles long. | 16 The numbering continues in this manner like a snake, until ending in the far southeast corner with section 36. a rectangular system of land survey that divides a district into 24-square mile quadrangles from the meridian (north-south line) and the baseline (east-west line); the tracts are divided into 6-mile-square parts called townships, which are in turn divided into 36 tracts, each 1 mile square, called sections. Each one is distinguished by a different name and number and has an intersecting baseline. Note that the more detailed legal descriptions usually begin with the smallest area and work to the largest. The rectangular survey system may just be a giant grid covering the United States, but understanding how it is used can seem a little complex, so stick with us while we cover the basic definitions. I feel like its a lifeline. The federal government developed the rectangular survey system, or government survey method, to simplify and standardize property descriptions as a replacement for the cumbersome and often inaccurate metes and bounds method. The Metes and bounds system dates back centuries to the original 13 colonies, while the rectangular survey method was established in 1785 and used in all 36 states formed after that point. However, the system calculations also have to be adjusted somewhat to account for the curvature of the earth, which required the addition of Guide Meridians and Standard Parallels. There are 16 townships in each quadrangle. The rectangular survey or government survey describes. The system became official with the Land Ordinance Act of 1785. So, in the example above, Township 4 South would be T4S. Because the rectangular or government survey system was instituted when the United States was a new country, it was used to describe most of the land west of the original 13 colonies, so most of you are likely to see some questions about this system.\r\n\r\nLongitude and latitude are imaginary lines that divide the earth through the north and south poles (longitude) and run parallel with the equator (latitude). The numbering then moves from right to left across that first upper tier. Legal Descriptions Using The Government Survey System The rectangular survey system is based on principal meridians and base lines determined by precise scientific measurements. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The government survey system divides the country into a huge grid using principal meridians that run north to south and baselines that run east to west. It is also known as the rectangular survey system and geodetic survey system. Township lines, which run east and west, parallel to baselines, are horizontal parallel lines that form township tiers.\r\n\r\nThink about two lines running from left to right across this page about an inch apart. 1 Square mile is equal to 640 acres. Its worth noting quadrangles are not used when identifying land with the rectangular survey method, only the principal meridians, baselines, and townships and sections. Prior to the land ordinance of 1785 and the Rectangular Survey System, the state lands state which would be the 13 colonies, surveyed their land with meets and bound system. [/caption]\r\n

Each half or quarter section can be further subdivided into halves and quarters. Its worth noting; quadrangles are not used when identifying land with the rectangular survey method, only the principal meridians, baselines, and townships and sections.