LSIT Legal and Boundary Principles 4

Question 1

The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) divides a standard township into how many sections?

Accepted Answer

36

Answer

A standard PLSS township is divided into 36 sections, each nominally one square mile or 640 acres.

Question 2

Under PLSS rules, numbered sections in a township begin in which corner and proceed in which pattern?

Accepted Answer

Northeast corner, proceeding west then snaking south

Answer

PLSS section numbering begins in the northeast corner of the township, runs west, then drops south and runs east, continuing in a bimeander pattern.

Question 3

What is the legal acreage of a standard PLSS section?

Accepted Answer

640 acres

Answer

A standard section in the PLSS contains 640 acres, equivalent to one square mile.

Question 4

In PLSS, 'lot' parcels are typically found in which sections of a township?

Accepted Answer

Sections along the north and west boundaries

Answer

Fractional lots resulting from subdivision adjustments are typically found along the north and west boundaries of a township where closure errors accumulate.

Question 5

The term 'meander line' in PLSS surveys describes:

Accepted Answer

A line run along the banks of a navigable body of water for area computation, not a boundary

Answer

A meander line approximates the bank of a navigable waterway for calculating acreage but is not itself the legal boundary.

(LSIT) Land Surveyor in Training Practice Test

(LSIT) Land Surveyor in Training Practice Test

LSIT Legal and Boundary Principles 4