How to read legal land descriptions
Step-by-step guides for reading DLS, PLSS, NTS, Ontario lot-and-concession, Texas GLO and Manitoba river-lot descriptions.
How-to · Canada
How to read a DLS description
DLS descriptions read from the quarter outward. Here's how to take apart a description like NE-12-34-5-W4 piece by piece.
How-to · US
How to read a PLSS description
PLSS descriptions read section, township, range, meridian. Here's how to parse one like Sec 34, T3S, R1W.
How-to · Canada
How to read an NTS description
British Columbia's NTS descriptions nest from a map series down to a quarter unit. Here's the hierarchy.
How-to · Canada
How to read an Ontario description
Ontario describes land by lot and concession within a named township. Here's how to read 'Lot 12, Concession 4, Mono Township'.
How-to · US
How to read a Texas description
Texas uses the GLO survey grid, not PLSS. Here's how to read both the abstract-name and Panhandle block/section styles.
How-to
Convert a description to a map
To map a legal land description, first identify the survey system, then decode the fields that locate it in that system.
How-to
Find GPS coordinates
A legal land description can often be converted to approximate coordinates, but only after the correct survey system and reference meridian are known.
How-to · Canada
How to read a river-lot description
Manitoba river lots are long, narrow riverfront parcels described by lot number and parish, unlike the DLS grid.