FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Land Boundaries and Property Law

Question 1

In the US Public Land Survey System (PLSS), what is the standard size of a township?

Accepted Answer

6 miles × 6 miles

Answer

A standard PLSS township is 6 miles square, containing 36 sections of 1 mile square each.

Question 2

In the PLSS, sections are numbered starting from which corner of the township?

Accepted Answer

Northeast corner

Answer

PLSS sections are numbered 1–36 starting in the northeast corner and proceeding in a boustrophedon (back-and-forth) pattern.

Question 3

Which type of boundary description is most commonly used to describe irregular land parcels in the US?

Accepted Answer

Metes and bounds

Answer

Metes and bounds descriptions use bearings, distances, and natural or artificial monuments to describe irregular parcel boundaries.

Question 4

In order of priority, which type of monument takes precedence in resolving boundary conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Natural monuments over artificial monuments over record distances

Answer

The general hierarchy is: original monuments (natural, then artificial) > record bearings/distances > calculated positions.

Question 5

What is a 'senior rights' doctrine in land boundary law?

Accepted Answer

The earlier (senior) deed takes priority over a later (junior) deed for the same land

Answer

Senior rights doctrine means the earlier conveyance has legal priority; a grantor cannot convey more land than they own, so later deeds (junior) yield to earlier ones (senior).

FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Practice Test

FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Practice Test

FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Land Boundaries and Property Law