Chapter 14

Legal Descriptions and Site Plan Requirements

Introduction• Virtually every piece of property in the U.S.

is described for legal purposes– Legal descriptions

• Every one is unique and cannot be confused with any other property

• Filed in local jurisdictions, generally county or parish courthouses

• Public records and can be reviewed at any time

Introduction (cont’d.)• Site (i.e., plot or lot)

– Area of land generally one plot or lot in size

• Plat – Map of part of a city or township showing some

specific area

Metes and Bounds Systems• Metes and bounds identify property

perimeters– Metes are measurements– Bounds are boundaries

• Also established through bearings (e.g., directions with reference to 1 quadrant of the compass)

– Metes and bounds land survey begins with the point of beginning (POB)

Rectangular Survey System

• Great land survey– Lines of latitude (i.e., parallels, baselines)

• Imaginary parallel lines running east and west

– Lines of longitude (i.e., meridians, principle meridians)

• Imaginary lines running north and south

Rectangular Survey System (cont’d.)

• Great land survey (cont’d.)– Townships

• Numbered by tiers running north–south• Six miles square

– Sections • Divided areas into units • One mile square

Lot and Block System• Legal description system

– Results from metes and bounds or rectangular system

Site Plan Requirements• Site plan (e.g., plot or lot plan)

– Map of a piece of land that can be used for any number of purposes

• Proposed construction• Topography with contour lines• Grading plans

Site Plan Requirements (cont’d.)• Site plan functions:

– Legal property description based on a survey– Property line bearings and directions– North arrow– Roads and easements– Utilities– Elevations– Map scale

Topography• Physical description of land surface

– Shows variation in elevation, known as relief, and locating other features

Drawing Site Plans• Typically include:

– Site plan scale– Legal description of the property– Property line bearings and dimensions– North arrow– Existing and proposed roads and structures– Driveways, patios, walks, and parking areas– Public or private water supply

Drawing Site Plans (cont’d.)• Typically include (cont’d.):

– Public or private sewage disposal– Location of utilities– Rain and footing drains and storm sewers or

drainage– Topography and setbacks– Items on adjacent properties– Existing and proposed trees

Grading Plan Features• Show existing and proposed topography

Site Analysis Plan• Basis for proper design

relationship of development to site and adjacent properties

Subdivision Plans• Local requirements for subdivisions should

be confirmed– Some areas have guidelines

Planned Unit Development

Metrics in Site Planning• Recommended metric values used in design and drafting of site

plans– Refer to table provided in the chapter