LPLS key terms

A survey that locates and marks the limits of a parcel of land, often by recovering existing monuments and comparing them with record evidence. It supports deeds, fences, and ownership lines.

A physical object, natural or man-made, that marks a survey point or boundary corner. Surveyors use monuments as evidence of location and may set new ones to perpetuate a corner.

A land description method that defines a parcel by courses, distances, and boundary features, starting from a known point and returning to it. It is common in older deeds and irregular parcels.

The rectangular system used in much of the United States to divide public lands into townships, ranges, sections, and aliquot parts. It provides a framework for describing land by government lot and section.

In the PLSS, a square tract about six miles on each side, containing 36 sections. A township is identified by its position north or south of a baseline and east or west of a principal meridian.

A north-south column of townships in the PLSS, measured east or west from a principal meridian. Ranges are numbered and combine with township numbers to identify a specific township.

A PLSS unit nominally one mile square and containing 640 acres. Sections are numbered within a township and can be subdivided into aliquot parts or government lots.

A fractional subdivision of a PLSS section created by halving, such as a half-section or quarter-quarter section. Aliquot parts are described by their size and position within the section.

The north-south reference line in the PLSS from which ranges are counted east and west. It works with a baseline to establish the initial point for township numbering.

In the PLSS, an east-west reference line from which townships are counted north and south. It intersects a principal meridian at the initial point of the survey system.

A reference surface or set of parameters used as a basis for measuring positions or elevations. Horizontal datums define latitude and longitude; vertical datums define heights relative to a zero surface.

A marked point with known elevation, often a brass disk set in stable ground or a structure. Surveyors use benchmarks to start and check leveling or GNSS-derived elevations.

A series of connected survey lines whose lengths and directions are measured to determine coordinates of points. Closed traverses return to a known point or start, allowing error checks.

A traverse that begins and ends at points with known coordinates or returns to its starting point. It permits computation of misclosure and adjustment before coordinates are finalized.

The difference between a traverse's computed end position and its known or starting position. It measures random and systematic error and is used to judge whether a survey meets accuracy standards.

A mathematical method that distributes random errors among redundant survey measurements to produce the most probable coordinates. It uses weights based on measurement precision and provides statistics for quality assessment.

A direction angle measured clockwise from a reference meridian, usually north, through 360 degrees. Azimuths are used in traverses, boundary descriptions, and mapping.

A direction expressed as an angle east or west of north or south, between 0 and 90 degrees. Bearings are common in deed descriptions and must be interpreted with their quadrant.

A legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose, such as access or utilities, without owning the land. Easements may be appurtenant or in gross and can affect survey boundaries.

A strip of land or a legal right allowing passage across property, often for roads, railroads, or utilities. Surveyors map right-of-way limits and must distinguish the right from underlying ownership.

An unauthorized physical intrusion of a structure or improvement onto another's land. Encroachments are identified by comparing survey locations with boundary lines and may require legal resolution.

A doctrine under which a person can acquire title to land through open, notorious, hostile, exclusive, and continuous possession for a statutory period. Surveyors encounter claims but do not decide legal title.

Rights of landowners whose property borders a waterbody, often involving access, use, and ownership of accreted land. These rights vary by jurisdiction and affect boundary surveys along water.

The gradual and imperceptible addition of land by natural water action, such as sediment deposition. Under many legal rules, the upland owner may gain title to accreted land.

A survey line that follows a waterbody's bank to determine the area of the water and adjoining upland, not necessarily the legal boundary. The water's ordinary high-water mark often controls title.

A detailed survey prepared according to the American Land Title Association and NSPS standards, often for commercial real estate transactions. It shows boundaries, easements, encumbrances, improvements, and other title-related matters.

A survey that locates natural and man-made features and determines elevations to represent terrain. Its results support design, planning, and construction through contours and spot elevations.

The process of marking points, lines, and elevations on the ground according to construction plans. Surveyors use stakes, hubs, and reference marks so builders can place improvements accurately.

A computer system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying spatial data linked to attributes. Surveyors use GIS for mapping, data management, and analysis, while recognizing differences in accuracy and legal status.

A system of projected coordinate zones designed to provide consistent mapping coordinates within a state. It uses defined map projections and datums, and coordinates must be transformed when datums differ.

A mathematical model of the Earth's surface formed by rotating an ellipse, used as a reference for geodetic coordinates. Different ellipsoids approximate the geoid and affect coordinate transformations.

The equipotential surface of the Earth's gravity field that approximates mean sea level. It is the reference for orthometric heights and differs from the ellipsoid by the geoid separation.

Elevation above the geoid, commonly called height above mean sea level. It is derived from leveling or GNSS plus a geoid model.

A boundary as described in deeds, plats, and other documents of record. Surveyors interpret record evidence and compare it with field evidence; the record does not always match occupation.

A physical feature such as a fence, wall, or hedge that appears to mark possession between adjoining owners. Occupation may be evidence of boundary location but does not by itself establish title.

A method of reestablishing lost PLSS corners by allocating record distances between existing corners according to the original survey. It is used when monuments are missing and record evidence controls.

The legal principle that, when descriptions conflict, the earlier grant or survey may control over a later one. Surveyors must research the sequence of conveyances and surveys.