unit 10

Benchmark

A permanent reference mark (PRM) affixed to an iron post or brass marker that is embedded in the sidewalk or street, used to establish elevations and altitudes above sea level on surveyed parcels

Legal Description

A series of boundary lines on the earth's surface.

Acre

43,560 square feet (approximately 208.71 feet × 208.71 feet)

Mile

5,280 feet in length

Principal Meridian

Imaginary lines running north and south and crossing a base line at a definite point; used by surveyors for reference in locating and describing land under the government survey system.

The purpose of a legal description is to specify a particular parcel of land with sufficient detail so that it will be accepted by a court of law.

The statement is true. The primary purpose of a legal description is to describe a particular piece of property in a way that uniquely identifies that parcel from any other parcel.

Base Line

base line Imaginary lines running east and west and crossing a principal meridian at a definite point; used by surveyors for reference in locating and describing land under the government survey system.

Description of lot and block numbers is a type of legal description.

The statement is true. The most common type of legal description used for single-family dwellings located in developed subdivisions is the lot and block method of land description.

Township T3S, R2E is located in the second tier south of the base line and the third range east of the principal meridian.

The statement is false. Township T3S, R2E is located in the third tier south of the base line and the second range east of the principal meridian.

There are 130,680 square feet in 3 acres.

The statement is true. 43,560 square feet × 3 acres = 130,680 square feet.

A section contains 640 acres.

The statement is true. A section is one mile on each side containing one square mile or 640 acres.

Each parcel of land on a tax map is assigned an assessor's parcel number.

The statement is true. Each parcel is assigned a parcel ID (PID) number or assessor's parcel number by the county property appraiser's office.

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Assessor's Parcel Number

A numerical ID assigned to each parcel of land within a tax district used to prepare tax maps.

Check

A square measuring 24 miles on each side and representing the largest unit of measure in the government survey system.

Township

A square tract of land measuring six miles on each side and including 36 sections (formed by the crossing of range and township lines).

Government Survey System

A type of land description, developed by the federal government for subdividing lands using surveying lines.

Lot And Block

A type of legal description of land.

Tier

An east-west row of townships (as used in the government survey method of land description).

Range

In the government survey system of land description, a vertical strip of land six miles wide located between two consecutive submeridians or range lines.

Section

One of the primary units of measurement in the government survey system of land description. A section is one mile square and contains 640 acres.

A property costs $34,848 per acre. What is the cost per square foot of the property?

The answer is $0.80. $34,848 ÷ 43,560 square feet in an acre = $0.80.

How many acres are in a parcel described as the SW¼ of the NE¼ of the SE¼?

The answer is 10. 640 ÷ 4 ÷ 4 ÷ 4 = 10 acres.

Which section is located directly south of section 1?

The answer is 12. Section 12 is located directly south (below) section 1.

How many acres are in a parcel described as the SW¼ of the NE¼ and the SE¼ of the S½?

The answer is 120. 640 ÷ 4 ÷ 4 = 40 acres; 640 ÷ 4 ÷ 2 = 80 acres; 40 + 80 = 120 acres.

Which range is farthest from the intersection of the principal meridian and the base line?

The answer is R22W. The farther from the principal meridian, the larger the number of the range.

Which method of legal description is used in subdivisions and is contained in recorded plat maps?

The answer is lot and block. The lot and block method is used for single-family dwellings located in developed subdivisions where plat maps have been recorded in the public records.

Which partial description describes a vertical strip of land six miles wide that touches where the principal meridian and base line intersect?

The answer is Range 1 East. Townships are north or south of the intersecting point; ranges are east or west of the intersecting point. Range 1 East is the first vertical strip of land east of the principal meridian and touches the intersecting point.

A line pointed in the direction opposite North 20 degrees East is

The answer is South 20 degrees West. The line opposite North 20 degrees East is South 20 degrees West. The number of degrees does not change, only the compass directions.

What term is used to describe fractional pieces of land less than a full quarter section located along the banks of lakes and streams?

The answer is government lot. A government lot is composed of fractional pieces of land less than a full quarter section located along the banks of lakes and streams.

Which government office assigns parcel ID numbers to land within a tax district?

The answer is property appraiser. Each parcel is assigned a parcel ID number by the county property appraiser's office.

Which description BEST fits if one were to shade in sections 14, 15, 16, and 17 of a township?

The answer is rectangle. The sections are contiguous and form a horizontal strip that is longer on two sides, forming a rectangle.

Which direction describes a range?

The answer is vertical. Ranges are vertical (north-south) strips of land parallel to the principal meridian.

Township Line

The east-west survey lines located every six miles north and south of the primary base line. Also called a subbaseline.

Survey

The procedure used to measure and describe a specific tract of real property for the purpose of determining exact boundaries and the area contained therein.

A check is a square six miles on each side.

The statement is false. A check is a square 24 miles on each side.

A survey of real property is a questionnaire about the property's location.

The statement is false. A survey is a drawing of a parcel of land showing its boundary lines and includes the legal description of the property.

An acre contains 44,575 square feet.

The statement is false. An acre contains 43,560 square feet.

Each township measures 36 miles on each side.

The statement is false. Each 36-square-mile township measures six miles on each side.

There are 20 acres in the legal description S 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 10.

There are 20 acres in the legal description S 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of section 10.

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