Chapter 11 - Land Use Flashcards
Legal Description
Description of the property that provides the ability to identify and distinguish that property from any and all other parcels of land.
Government Survey
sometimes referred to as the rectangular survey or geodetic survey, is a type of legal description for land referencing principal meridians and baselines designated throughout much of the country.
Meridian
which run north and south, are based off of the prime meridian, which is the line of longitude passing through the Royal Greenwich Observatory in England that is defined to be 0 degrees.
Baseline
Main east-west line designated and named throughout the country for use with the government survey system.
Township
Square division of land, six miles by six miles, in the government survey system. One township contains 36 sections
Sections
Part of a township, one-mile by one-mile square. Used for the government survey system; One section equals 640 acres, 36 sections equal one township
Metes and Bounds
A legal description that starts at an easily identifiable point of beginning (P.O.B.) then describes the property’s boundaries in terms of courses (compass directions) and distances, ultimately returning to the point of beginning
Block and Lot System
The type of legal description used for platted property. The description states only the property’s lot number and block number in a particular subdivision, so to find out the exact location of the property’s boundaries the plat map for that subdivision must be consulted at the county records office
Plat
A detailed survey map of a subdivision, recorded in the county where the land is located.
Restrictive Covenant
A restriction on real property use imposed by a former owner; promise to do or not do an act relating to real property; usually owner’s promise to not use property in a particular way
Deed Restriction
Restrictive covenants in a deed that apply to all future landowners
Acre
A measure of land area that is equal to 43,650 square feet. One square mile contains 640 acres
Setback requirements
The structures are located a specific distance between the front property line to the building line, as well as from the front, rear, and side property lines
Escheat
When property reverts to a government entity, such as the state or county, depending on state statutes, after a person without a valid will and without heirs dies.
Eminent Domain
The government’s constitutional power to take (appropriate or condemn) private property for public use, as long as the owner is paid just compensation
