Parcel maps, property search, and county GIS guides

All posts

• Oct 5, 2026 What Does R1 Zoning Mean? Single-Family Zones R1 zoning usually means a single-family residential district, but exact rules on lot size, setbacks, ADUs, and uses depend on your local zoning code.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Does Agricultural Zoning Allow? Agricultural zoning usually allows farming, farm buildings, and a farmhouse, with large minimum lot sizes. What uses, homes, and splits are permitted.
• Oct 5, 2026 Can I Build an ADU on My Lot? What to Check Can you build an ADU on your lot? Check zoning, state ADU laws, lot size, setbacks, parking, utilities, septic capacity, and HOA rules before planning.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Lot Coverage? Zoning Limits Explained Lot coverage is the share of a lot covered by buildings or impervious surfaces, capped by zoning. How it is calculated, what counts, and why it matters.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in Zoning? Floor area ratio (FAR) compares a building's total floor area to its lot size. How FAR is calculated, examples, what counts, and how it shapes buildings.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Minimum Lot Size in Zoning? A minimum lot size is the smallest lot area zoning allows for a new lot or building in a district. How it affects splits, building, and nonconforming lots.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a PUD? Planned Unit Development Basics A PUD, or planned unit development, is a project zoned with flexible custom standards under an approved master plan. How PUDs work for owners and buyers.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Annexation? When a City Takes In Land Annexation is when a city or town expands its boundaries to take in nearby unincorporated land. How it happens and what changes for owners and taxes.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Unincorporated Area? Living Outside City Limits An unincorporated area is land not inside any city or town, governed by the county. What that means for zoning, taxes, services, permits, and addresses.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Future Land Use Map? Comprehensive Plans A future land use map is part of a comprehensive plan showing how a community intends land to be used later. How it differs from zoning and why it matters.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Shoreland Zoning? Rules Near Lakes and Rivers Shoreland zoning sets extra rules for land near lakes, rivers, and streams, such as setbacks from the water, vegetation buffers, and impervious limits.
• Oct 5, 2026 How Close to the Property Line Can I Build a Shed? How close to the property line you can build a shed depends on local accessory setbacks, often 3 to 10 feet, plus easements, permits, and HOA rules.
• Oct 5, 2026 Tree on the Property Line: Who Owns It? Who owns a tree on the property line? A tree whose trunk straddles the line is often co-owned. Rules on trimming, removal, damage, and disputes.
• Oct 5, 2026 How Many Lots Per Acre? Gross vs Net Density How many lots fit per acre depends on lot size and land lost to streets and open space. Lots per acre by lot size, gross vs net density, and examples.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Rod in Land Measurement? 16.5 Feet A rod is an old land measurement equal to 16.5 feet, or one quarter of a surveyor's chain. Conversions, square rods, and how rods appear in old deeds.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Vara? Spanish Land Measurement A vara is a Spanish unit of length used in Texas, California, and the Southwest. The Texas vara is 33 1/3 inches. Conversions, leagues, labors, and deeds.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Arpent? French Land Measurement An arpent is a French unit of length and area used in Louisiana and the Mississippi Valley. A square arpent is about 0.85 acre. Conversions and long lots.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Look Up a Mining Claim on Public Land How to look up a mining claim: search the BLM's Mineral and Land Records System, check county recorder filings, and learn what unpatented claims mean.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Tell If Land Is Public or Private How to tell if land is public or private: check county parcel ownership, public land maps, federal and state agency layers, signs, and paint marks.
• Oct 5, 2026 How Long Does a Land Survey Take? A land survey often takes two to six weeks from order to finished plat, including scheduling, research, a day or more of fieldwork, and drafting.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Elevation Certificate? Flood Records An elevation certificate is a FEMA form showing a building's elevations compared with the flood level. Who prepares it, what it shows, and how it is used.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a LOMA? Letter of Map Amendment A LOMA is a FEMA letter stating a property or building is not in the mapped high-risk flood area because it sits above the base flood elevation.
• Oct 5, 2026 Flood Zone AE vs X: What the Difference Means Flood zone AE vs X: AE is a high-risk area with a set base flood elevation, while X is moderate or minimal risk. Insurance, building rules, and maps.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Topographic Survey? Uses and Cost A topographic survey maps a site's ground elevations, contours, and features like trees, buildings, and utilities. When you need one and what it shows.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Are CC&Rs? Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions CC&Rs are recorded covenants, conditions, and restrictions that limit how property in a subdivision or HOA can be used. How to find, read, and change them.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Out Who Owns Mineral Rights How to find out who owns mineral rights: trace deeds back to any severance, check county tax and lease records, state oil and gas files, and BLM data.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Are Air Rights in Real Estate? Air rights are a property owner's rights to the space above the land, which can be limited, sold, or transferred. How they work with zoning and airports.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Are Timber Rights? Timber Deeds Explained Timber rights let someone cut and remove trees from land they may not own. How timber deeds and reservations work, how long they last, and buyer checks.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Tell If Land Is Buildable Before You Buy How to tell if land is buildable: check zoning, legal lot status, access, water, septic or sewer, flood zones, wetlands, slopes, easements, and covenants.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Out When a House Was Built How to find out when a house was built: check the assessor's year built, building permits, deeds, plats, historic maps, and clues in the house itself.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Building Permits for a Property How to find building permits for a property: search the local permit portal, request records from the building department, and check for open permits.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Septic Records for a Property How to find septic records: ask the county or district health department for permits and as-built drawings, check pumping and inspection history, and more.
• Oct 5, 2026 Call 811 Before You Dig: How It Works Call 811 before you dig to have public utility lines marked for free. How far ahead to call, what the paint colors mean, and what 811 does not mark.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Do Survey Flag Colors Mean? What survey flag colors mean: pink is common for survey work, but colors vary by surveyor. How survey flags differ from utility marks and wetland flags.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Wetland Delineation? Process and Uses A wetland delineation identifies and flags the boundary of wetlands on a property using soils, plants, and hydrology. Who does it and why it matters.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Soil Survey? Reading Soil Maps for Land A soil survey maps soil types and their properties, like drainage, depth, and septic suitability. How to use the NRCS Web Soil Survey for a parcel.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Out If a Property Is in an HOA How to find out if a property is in an HOA: check the listing, title commitment, recorded declaration, plat, tax records, and state association filings.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Section Line Easement? A section line easement is a public right of way along survey section lines in some states, often 33 feet each side. Where they exist and how they apply.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Legal Nonconforming Use? Grandfathering A legal nonconforming use is a use that was lawful before zoning changed and may continue, with limits on expansion, rebuilding, and abandonment.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Conditional Use Permit? How It Works A conditional use permit allows a use that zoning permits only with special approval and conditions. Examples, the hearing process, and how it differs.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Rezone a Property: Steps and Timeline How to rezone a property: check the comprehensive plan, meet planning staff, apply, notify neighbors, and go through planning commission and council votes.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Remove Someone From a Deed: Options How to remove someone from a deed: the person usually signs a new deed releasing their interest. Options after divorce, death, or disputes, plus cautions.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Affidavit of Heirship? Probate Alternative What is an affidavit of heirship? A sworn statement identifying a deceased owner's heirs, recorded to help pass real estate without full probate.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Heirs' Property? Risks and Solutions What is heirs' property? Land passed down without a will or probate, leaving many relatives as co-owners. Why it is risky and how families clear title.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Partition Action? Splitting Co-Owned Land What is a partition action? A lawsuit where a co-owner asks a court to divide property or order it sold. How it works, costs, and alternatives.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Certificate of Occupancy? When You Need One What is a certificate of occupancy? The local document saying a building meets code and can be lived in or used. When it's issued and how to find one.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Perc Test? Septic Soil Testing Explained What is a perc test? A soil test measuring how fast water drains to see if land can support a septic system. Process, cost factors, and failing results.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Title Insurance? Owner's vs Lender's Policy What is title insurance? A one-time policy that covers losses from past title defects like forged deeds or missed liens. Owner's vs lender's coverage.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Cloud on Title? Common Causes and Fixes What is a cloud on title? Any claim, lien, or record error that casts doubt on ownership. Common causes, how they surface, and ways to clear them.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Do a Title Search Yourself, Step by Step How to do a title search: start with the current deed, trace owners back through the grantor-grantee index, then check liens, judgments, and taxes.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Abstract of Title? How to Read One What is an abstract of title? A condensed history of every recorded document affecting a parcel. How abstracts are made, read, and used today.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Deed of Reconveyance? Paid-Off Loans What is a deed of reconveyance? The recorded document that clears a deed of trust after a loan is paid off. Who files it, timing, and fixes if missing.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Encumbrance on Property? Types and Examples What is an encumbrance? Any claim or limit on a property, like a mortgage, lien, easement, or deed restriction. Types, examples, and how to find them.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Homestead Exemption? Property Tax Savings What is a homestead exemption? A reduction in taxable value for your primary home. Who qualifies, how to apply, deadlines, and common mistakes.
• Oct 5, 2026 How Is Property Tax Calculated? Mill Rates Explained How is property tax calculated? Taxable value times the tax rate, often in mills. See the formula, a worked example, and what makes your bill change.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Read a Property Tax Bill, Line by Line How to read a property tax bill: find the parcel number, assessed and taxable values, exemptions, each taxing district's rate, due dates, and penalties.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Special Assessment on Property? What is a special assessment? A charge on specific parcels for local improvements like sewers or sidewalks. How it is billed, liens, and buying tips.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Real Estate Transfer Tax? Who Pays It What is a real estate transfer tax? A state or local tax on property transfers, usually based on price. Who pays, common exemptions, and how it is paid.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Record a Deed With the County Recorder How to record a deed: get it signed and notarized, meet formatting rules, add transfer tax forms, and file with the county in person, by mail, or online.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Acknowledgment on a Deed? Notary Basics What is an acknowledgment on a deed? The notary's certificate confirming the signer's identity and willingness. Why recorders need it and common errors.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Vesting on a Title? How Owners Hold Property What is vesting on a title? It is how owners hold title: sole owner, joint tenants, tenants in common, community property, or a trust. Why it matters.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Fee Simple? The Most Complete Ownership What is fee simple? The most complete form of property ownership, with rights to use, sell, and pass on land. How it differs from life estates and leases.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Torrens Title? Registered Land Explained What is Torrens title? A system where a government certificate of title, not a chain of deeds, proves ownership. Where it is used in the U.S. and how.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Lien Waiver? Conditional vs Unconditional What is a lien waiver? A contractor's signed release of mechanics' lien rights for amounts paid. Conditional vs unconditional, partial vs final waivers.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an HOA Lien? Dues, Foreclosure, and Payoff What is an HOA lien? A claim an association places on a home for unpaid dues or assessments. How liens arise, priority, foreclosure risk, and payoff.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Ground Lease? Owning a Building, Not Land What is a ground lease? A long-term lease of land where the tenant builds or owns the improvements. Terms, how it shows in records, and buyer cautions.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Land Contract? Seller Financing Explained What is a land contract? A seller-financed sale where the buyer pays in installments and gets the deed later. How it works, risks, and why to record it.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Land Trust? Two Different Meanings What is a land trust? Either a title-holding trust that keeps owner names off records, or a conservation group that protects land. Both explained.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Reverter Clause in a Deed? What is a reverter clause? Deed language that sends property back to the grantor if a condition is broken, such as use only for a church or school.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Satisfaction of Mortgage? Proof of Payoff What is a satisfaction of mortgage? The recorded document showing a mortgage is paid in full and released. Timing, who files it, and fixing a missing one.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Add Someone to a Deed: Steps and Cautions How to add someone to a deed: choose vesting, prepare and sign a new deed, notarize, and record it. Mortgage, tax, and gift consequences to check first.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Grant Deed? Promises, Uses, and Records What is a grant deed? A deed used mainly in California that carries two implied promises from the seller. See how it compares and how to find one.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Bargain and Sale Deed? With and Without Covenants What is a bargain and sale deed? It transfers title and implies the seller owns it, but makes few or no promises. See both versions and when each is used.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Deed of Trust? Three Parties, Plain English What is a deed of trust? A recorded security document that ties a home loan to the property through a neutral trustee. How it differs from a mortgage.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Gift Deed? Transfers With No Payment What is a gift deed? A deed that transfers property for no payment, often within a family. See what it must say, the tax effects, and how it is recorded.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is an Executor's Deed? Selling Estate Property What is an executor's deed? The deed an estate's executor uses to sell or pass on a deceased owner's real estate. What it promises and how to find one.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Trustee's Deed? Trust Sales vs Foreclosures What is a trustee's deed? A deed signed by a trustee, either for property held in a trust or after a foreclosure sale. How to tell which one you have.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Sheriff's Deed? Court-Ordered Sales Explained What is a sheriff's deed? The deed given to the buyer at a court-ordered sale, often after a judicial foreclosure. What it conveys and what it does not.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Tax Deed? Tax Sales and the Title Risk What is a tax deed? The deed a county issues after selling property for unpaid taxes. How tax deed and tax lien states differ, and why title can be shaky.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Corrective Deed? Fixing Errors in a Deed What is a corrective deed? A new deed that fixes a mistake in an earlier recorded deed, such as a misspelled name or a wrong legal description.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure? What is a deed in lieu of foreclosure? A voluntary transfer of a home to the lender to settle a defaulted loan. See how it works, risks, and the records.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Tenancy by the Entirety? Married Couple Title What is tenancy by the entirety? A way married couples can hold title in some states, with survivorship and protection from one spouse's creditors.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Mechanics Lien? Contractor Liens Explained What is a mechanics lien? A claim a contractor, sub, or supplier records against property they improved but were not paid for. Deadlines and removal.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Life Estate Deed? Life Tenant and Remainderman What is a life estate deed? The owner keeps the right to use the property for life, and it passes to a named remainderman at death without probate.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Special Warranty Deed? Coverage and Gaps What is a special warranty deed? The seller backs the title only for their own years of ownership. See how it compares and how buyers cover the gap.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Warranty Deed? Guarantees and Parcel Checks A warranty deed promises clear title from the grantor. See what it guarantees, how it differs from a quitclaim, and how to match it to the parcel map.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Transfer on Death Deed? TOD Land Records A transfer on death deed names who gets the land when you die, without probate where allowed. How it is recorded and how to spot it on the parcel.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Easements on a Property: Deed, Plat, GIS How to find easements on a property: read the deed and title report, check the recorded plat notes, and confirm utility lines on the county GIS viewer.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Building Setbacks for Your Lot How to find building setbacks: check zoning for your district, read plat notes and recorded restrictions, and measure from parcel lines—not the fence.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is Adverse Possession? Land Claims vs Parcel Maps Adverse possession is a claim to own land by long, open use under state rules. See how it differs from a deed and why a survey still matters.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Quiet Title Action? Clearing Ownership Clouds A quiet title action asks a court to declare who owns land and wipe conflicting claims. When it is used and how parcel maps support the filing.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Title Commitment? Schedule A and B Explained A title commitment is the title company's offer to insure, listing owners, exceptions, and requirements. How to read it against the parcel and deed.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Tax Lien on Property? County and IRS Claims A tax lien is a claim for unpaid taxes against property or an owner. How county property tax liens differ from IRS liens and where to look them up.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Judgment Lien? Court Debt on Real Estate A judgment lien attaches a court judgment to real estate so a creditor can claim against the land. How it is recorded and how to match it to a parcel.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Appeal Property Taxes: Assessor and Parcel Steps How to appeal property taxes: read the notice, compare assessed value to sales and the parcel map, gather evidence, and file before the local deadline.
• Oct 5, 2026 Assessed Value vs Market Value: What Each Number Means Assessed value is what the assessor uses for tax bills; market value is what a buyer might pay. Why they differ and how to check both against the parcel.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Read a FEMA Flood Map Against Your Parcel How to read a FEMA flood map: find your panel, decode zone labels, check base flood elevation notes, and compare the flood layer to county parcel lines.
• Oct 5, 2026 Floodplain vs Floodway: What the Difference Means A floodplain is land that can flood; a floodway is the channel plus land needed to pass floodwater. Why building rules differ and how maps show each.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Zoning Variance? Relief from Setback Rules A zoning variance lets you break a bulk rule such as a setback when hardship is shown. How it differs from rezoning and what the parcel map must show.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Deed Restrictions on a Property How to find deed restrictions: pull the deed and prior conveyances, check HOA CC&Rs and the plat, and confirm they still run with the land you own.
• Oct 5, 2026 Who Owns the Fence on a Property Line? Records First Who owns the fence on a property line depends on where it sits, local fence laws, and any agreement. Start with the survey and parcel map, not guesses.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Property Corners: Pins, Plats, and Maps How to find property corners: pull the plat or survey, look for iron pins or monuments, and use the county GIS viewer only as a rough guide—not a stakeout.
• Oct 5, 2026 Joint Tenancy vs Tenancy in Common on a Deed Joint tenancy and tenancy in common are two ways co-owners hold title. Survivorship, shares, and how each shows up on deeds and the assessor record.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Use a Grantor-Grantee Index for Land Records How to use a grantor-grantee index: search each owner as grantor and grantee, follow the chain, and verify every hit against the right parcel description.
• Oct 5, 2026 What Is a Lis Pendens? Notice of Pending Property Suit A lis pendens warns that a lawsuit involving the property is pending. What it does, where it is recorded, and how to match it to the right parcel.
• Oct 5, 2026 How to Find Liens on a Property: County Record Search How to find liens on a property: search the county recorder's index by owner, check tax and court records, and match each lien to the right parcel.
• Oct 4, 2026 What Is Chain of Title? Tracing Deeds to a Parcel What is chain of title: the recorded string of deeds from past owners to today's. How to trace it in county indexes and check it against a parcel map.
• Oct 4, 2026 What Is a Quitclaim Deed? Land Records Basics What is a quitclaim deed: it transfers whatever interest the grantor has without title warranties—how to read one against a parcel map and recorded plat.
• Oct 4, 2026 Lot and Block vs Metes and Bounds Descriptions Lot and block vs metes and bounds: how subdivision plats name lots differently from compass bearings, and how to match either description to a parcel map.
• Oct 3, 2026 How to Find a Recorded Plat for Your Property How to find a recorded plat: use the county recorder, assessor, or GIS viewer, match the lot to your deed, and know when a survey still matters.
• Oct 3, 2026 How to Read a Property Deed: Key Parts Explained How to read a property deed: find the parties, legal description, and exceptions, then match the text to a parcel map before trusting a fence line.
• Oct 3, 2026 How to Read a Plat Map: Lines, Lots, and Notes How to read a plat map: find your lot, decode bearings and distances, spot easements versus property lines, and know when a survey still matters.
• Oct 3, 2026 What Is an APN Number? Assessor Parcel ID Explained What is an APN number? It is the assessor’s parcel number—the unique ID counties use for tax parcels. Learn where to find it, how it differs from an address or deed, and how to confirm it on GIS.
• Oct 2, 2026 How to Look Up Property Taxes by Address: Assessor and Parcel Map Steps How to look up property taxes by address using the county assessor or tax collector search, then confirm the parcel on GIS so you are reading the right account, assessed value, and bill.
• Oct 2, 2026 How to Find the Zoning of a Property: A Step-by-Step Lookup How to find the zoning of a property: confirm which government controls the land, use the zoning map or parcel viewer, read the district code, and verify with the planning office.
• Oct 2, 2026 How to Find a Flood Zone by Address (and Read It Against the Parcel) How to find a flood zone by address: search FEMA’s flood map tools or your county GIS, read zone labels like AE and X, and check how the flood line actually crosses the parcel.
• Oct 2, 2026 How to Get a Copy of Your Deed Online (Without Overpaying) How to get a copy of my deed: find the county recorder, search by owner name or parcel, download or order a copy, and know when you need a certified copy instead of a plain one.
• Oct 2, 2026 Property Line Dispute: Who Pays for the Survey? Property line dispute who pays for survey: usually the owner who orders it, unless neighbors agree to split it, state law says otherwise, or a court assigns costs. Here is how it plays out.
• Oct 2, 2026 How to Find the Acreage of a Property: Records vs Map Measurements How to find acreage of property: check the assessor record, the deed and plat, and GIS measure tools, then understand why those numbers disagree and which one to trust.
• Oct 2, 2026 Easement vs Right of Way: What Each Means on a Parcel Map Easement vs right of way: how private easements differ from public rights of way on plats and GIS maps, what each allows, and when you still need recorded documents or a survey.
• Oct 2, 2026 Site Plan vs Plat: What Each Drawing Is For Site plan vs plat: how a development or permit site plan differs from a recorded subdivision plat, what each is used for, and which one answers property-line questions.
• Oct 2, 2026 How to Use a County GIS Viewer: A Practical Parcel Map Walkthrough How to use a county GIS viewer to find a parcel, read the map layers, and avoid treating tax parcel lines like a survey. A step-by-step walkthrough for property research.
• Oct 2, 2026 Survey Plat vs Tax Map: What Each One Is For Survey plat vs tax map: how a recorded survey plat differs from a county tax or GIS parcel map, what each is good for, and when you still need a licensed survey.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Witness Corner? A witness corner is a monument set on the survey line when the true corner cannot be marked in place. The notes give the distance back to the real corner. The witness mark is evidence of that corner, and it is not a second lot corner.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Reference Monument? A reference monument is a durable mark set near a corner and tied to it by a bearing and distance. It helps the next surveyor rebuild the corner if the corner mark is gone. It is not itself the corner of the parcel.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Bearing Tree? A bearing tree is a tree marked and described as an accessory to a corner. The notes give species, diameter, bearing, and distance from the corner to the tree. The tree is evidence. The corner is the point the notes measured from.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Found and Set Mean on a Plat Found means the surveyor recovered a monument already in the ground. Set means that surveyor placed a new one. The two words tell you who is responsible for the mark and whether it is original evidence or a new marker.
• Sep 30, 2026 What a Surveyor Cap Number Means A survey cap is the plastic or metal head on a rod or pipe, stamped with the surveyor’s name or license number. The number identifies who set that mark. It does not by itself prove the rod is your property corner.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Pincushion Corner? A pincushion corner is a cluster of different monuments at what should be one corner, set by different surveys over time. The pins do not each create a new lot. They are competing opinions about one point.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Disturbed Monument? A disturbed monument has been moved, bent, or knocked out of the position where it was set. It may still be near the corner, but its present spot is not automatically the corner. The plat should say if the surveyor treated it as disturbed.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is an Obliterated Corner? An obliterated corner is a corner whose monument is gone, but whose position can still be recovered from evidence of where the monument stood. It is not a lost corner. The evidence, not a new calculation from distant corners, fixes it.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Lost Corner? A lost corner is a public-land or other survey corner whose monument is gone and whose position cannot be recovered from reliable evidence. It is restored by proportionate measurement from other corners, not by guessing where the fence looks oldest.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is Single Proportionate Measurement? Single proportionate measurement restores a lost corner on a line between two recovered corners. It keeps the original survey’s relative distances along that line. It is a restoration rule, not a way to average your fence into the deed.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is Double Proportionate Measurement? Double proportionate measurement restores a lost corner that should agree with record distances in two directions, such as many lost section corners. The corner is placed by comparing north-south and east-west record lengths. It is not a way to center a lot between four fences.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Quarter Corner? A quarter corner marks the quarter-section point on a section line, halfway by the original survey between two section corners. It is a government survey corner. It is not the same thing as a property pin on a house lot.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Closing Corner? A closing corner is set where a surveyed line meets an older line and does not land exactly on an existing corner. It marks the meeting point. It is not a duplicate of the corner it almost reached, and it is not the same idea as a deed’s closing call.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Meander Corner? A meander corner is a monument where a section line or other surveyed line meets a meandered body of water. It ends the line survey at the water. It is not the same object as the meander line that runs along the shore between meander corners.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is an Aliquot Part? An aliquot part is a standard fraction of a section, such as a quarter or a quarter of a quarter, created by the rectangular survey. The words name a piece of the section. They are not a lot number in a subdivision plat.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Government Lot? A government lot is a numbered parcel in a fractional section, created by the government survey where a regular aliquot part would not fit. Lot 1 of a section is not Lot 1 of a city block. The section number and the plat tell you which lot is meant.
• Sep 30, 2026 How to Read a Quarter-Quarter Call A quarter-quarter call names a quarter of a quarter section, the classic forty. You read the last fraction as the small piece, inside the quarter named before it, inside one section. Swapping two quarters moves the land a half-mile.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is Excess and Deficiency in a Section? Excess and deficiency are the amounts by which a section or a township line ran longer or shorter than the nominal mile. The original survey placed that leftover by rule, often in the north and west tiers. It is not a mistake you correct by resizing every parcel.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Principal Meridian? A principal meridian is the north-south governing line for a public-land survey region. Township and range numbers are counted from the meridian and its base line. The same township and range numbers exist in more than one region, so the meridian name is part of the description.
• Sep 30, 2026 How to Read Township and Range Township and range locate a six-mile square in the public-land grid. The township number runs north or south. The range number runs east or west. Neither number means anything until you know the meridian, and the section number still has to pick one square mile inside that township.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Fractional Section? A fractional section is a section the government survey could not lay out as a full regular mile square, often because of water, a prior grant, or the edge of the township. Its odd pieces are usually numbered government lots. The word fractional is a survey fact, not a comment that the deed is incomplete.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a GLO Plat? A GLO plat is the General Land Office township plat, the official drawing of the rectangular survey for that township. Patents conveyed land by reference to it. It is not a county tax map, and it is not a modern subdivision plat of house lots.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Land Patent? A land patent is the sovereign’s grant of public land to a person or a company. It is the root conveyance in many public-land chains of title. Later deeds pass on what the patent granted. They do not enlarge it.
• Sep 30, 2026 What Is a Donation Land Claim? A donation land claim is an early grant in the Oregon country, surveyed as a named claim with a notification or survey number, often hundreds of acres and often older than the surrounding section grid. The claim lines can control over later section lines that were run to fit around them.