

Why Are Metes and Bounds Important?īecause of their descriptive nature in identifying a parcel of land, metes and bounds allow people to designate property lines and determine a value for that property based on its shape, size, location, and characteristics.

Some parts of Ohio also use the metes and bounds system. Here are states that continue to use metes and bounds in combination with (or sometimes in place of) the more modern expression: Officially known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), the rectangular survey is a more modern way to plat or divide property for sale and settling. In the United States, the usage of metes and bounds was largely replaced by the rectangular survey via the Land Ordinance of 1785. Which States Use the Metes and Bounds System? Today, this system is typically used for large properties where pinpoint accuracy is unnecessary or when describing irregularly shaped properties. Back then, metes and bounds were the most reliable way of recording the shape, size, location, and dimensions of property.Įven though the method is very old, metes and bounds paved the way for better land legislation and a better process for keeping track of ownership records. Landmarks have been used to identify property boundaries since ancient times, especially in Europe, where people had no concept of street addresses. Historically, “metes” referred to distance, and “bounds” referred to direction. Because they are descriptive in nature, they can be considered accurate characterizations of that particular land. In order to get a bearing that would work in the application, I needed to take the degrees from the chart and convert it.Metes and bounds constitute just one part of the legal description of a parcel of land. My maps looked like scribbles.Īpparently, I missed a step in the conversion process.

I took the degrees from the “middle”column and entered them in the degrees field of the data entry form, thinking I had my solution. The article I found involved converting those directions into degrees using this “Box the Compass” chart. But how was I supposed to enter “South South East?” None of the available options came close. What do I do with that? Some if it looks usable. “…Beginning at a chestnut tree, thence by the other Land of said Henry Hoober West by South fifty six perches to a post, then South South East fourteen perches to a post, thence by land of Ulrich Hoober East South East fourteen perches to a post and thence South East eight perches to a white oak, thence by Land of George Feite North twelve degrees East one hundred six perches to a Hickory and South eighty four degrees seventy two perches to a post, thence North twenty six perches and an half to a Chestnut Tree and North North West thirty perches to a Black Oak by Beaver Creek and thence by other Land of said Henry Hoober South South West forty perches to the Place of Beginning…” Doesn’t seem complicated, does it?Įxcept I kept coming across metes and bounds descriptions like this: You enter direction (north/south), degrees, bearing (east/west), and distance. Using the application to map a deed is fairly simple. It’s a neat program with some cool features.
Metes and bounds description example mac#
I downloaded a Mac application called Metes and Bounds by Sandy Knoll Software.
