Township Lines
In real estate, township lines refer to the horizontal and vertical boundary lines that delineate the boundaries of a township within a larger geographic area, typically within a county or municipality. Township lines are an integral part of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), a method used to survey and divide land into orderly and uniform sections for property ownership, development, and administration in the United States.
Key aspects of township lines in real estate include:
1. Grid System: Township lines are established within the PLSS grid system, which divides land into a series of squares or rectangles known as townships and sections. Each township measures six miles square (36 square miles) and is further subdivided into 36 sections, each measuring one square mile (640 acres).
2. Meridians and Base Lines: Township lines are referenced to meridians (north-south lines) and base lines (east-west lines) that serve as the principal axes for the PLSS grid system. These meridians and base lines establish the starting points and reference points for surveying and mapping townships and sections.
3. Range and Tier: Township lines are identified by their location relative to the meridians and base lines, using a system of range and tier designations. Range lines run north-south and are numbered east or west of a principal meridian, while tier lines run east-west and are numbered north or south of a base line. The intersection of range and tier lines defines the location of each township.
4. Legal Descriptions: Township lines are used in legal descriptions of land parcels to define the boundaries and location of real property. Legal descriptions typically reference the township, range, and section numbers, as well as the meridian and base line used as reference points.
5. Land Ownership and Transactions: Township lines play a crucial role in property ownership, conveyancing, and real estate transactions, as they provide a standardized method for identifying and describing land parcels within a geographic area. Knowledge of township lines is essential for surveyors, title examiners, real estate agents, and other professionals involved in land surveying, development, and property management.
Understanding township lines is fundamental for navigating the legal and administrative framework of real estate in regions where the PLSS is used. Township lines provide a systematic and standardized method for organizing, describing, and conveying land parcels, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accuracy in property ownership and transactions.
