Land records · Parcel maps · October 6, 2026
What Is a Point of Beginning in a Legal Description?
What is a point of beginning? The starting spot in a metes and bounds description, tied to a known corner, where the boundary calls start and must close.
What is a point of beginning? In a metes and bounds legal description, the point of beginning, often written POB, is the spot where the boundary description starts. From there, the description runs around the parcel with a series of bearings and distances and ends back at the POB, closing the shape. The POB is usually tied to a known monument, like a section corner, by a separate line called the “point of commencement.” This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
Point of commencement vs point of beginning
| Term | Role |
|---|---|
| Point of commencement (POC) | A known, findable reference such as a section corner or lot corner |
| Tie line | One or more courses from the POC to the parcel |
| Point of beginning (POB) | The first corner of the parcel itself |
A description might read: “Commencing at the northwest corner of Section 12; thence east 330 feet to the point of beginning; thence...” The commencement line is not part of the parcel boundary. Confusing the two is a common reading mistake.
Why the POB matters
Every course in the description depends on the starting point. If the POB is misplaced, the whole parcel shifts. Disputes sometimes turn on where the POB really is, especially if the reference monument is lost or the tie line was measured poorly.
How to read from the POB
- Find the commencement point and confirm it is a monument you can locate on a map or in the field.
- Follow the tie courses to the POB.
- Trace each boundary call in order. A typical call has a bearing like “N 45°30’ E” and a distance.
- Check closure: the last call should return to the POB.
See how to read a property deed and bearings on a plat map.
When the description does not close
Older descriptions sometimes miss the POB by a few feet because of measurement limits or typos. Surveyors resolve these using rules about which elements control, such as monuments over distances. See the priority of calls. Significant misclosures may need a corrective deed or survey.
POB in lot and block descriptions
Subdivision lots described by lot and block number usually do not need a POB in the deed, because the recorded plat already shows the boundaries. A POB appears when part of a lot is conveyed or when the land is not in a platted subdivision. See lot and block vs metes and bounds.
Bottom line
The point of beginning is where a metes and bounds description begins and ends. It is often reached from a separate point of commencement, and the lines between the two are not part of the parcel. Read the tie courses carefully, trace each call, and check that the description closes back on the POB. Find county records via the Platbookmapper map.
What is a point of beginning FAQ
What does POB mean in a legal description?
Point of beginning, the first corner of a parcel in a metes and bounds description.
What is a point of commencement?
A known reference point from which tie lines lead to the point of beginning.
Is the point of commencement part of the property?
No. The tie lines from it to the POB are not boundary lines.
Why should a legal description return to the POB?
Returning to the start closes the shape and confirms the boundary encloses an area.
What if the POB monument is lost?
A licensed surveyor may need to reestablish it using records and evidence.