What Is a Section of Land in Real Estate?

Understanding fundamental land measurement units is important for anyone involved in real estate transactions. Precise descriptions of land parcels are necessary for clear property rights and effective land management. The “section” is a foundational measurement in land surveying and property descriptions across many areas of the United States. Grasping this concept provides a clearer picture of how land is organized, bought, and sold.

Understanding a Section in Real Estate

A section in real estate refers to a standard unit of land measurement, typically defining a square tract of land. This unit measures approximately one mile by one mile, encompassing a precise area of 640 acres. This standardized land unit emerged from the Land Ordinance of 1785. This legislation aimed to survey and divide territories acquired by the United States.

The purpose of defining land in sections was to create a consistent system for land distribution and ownership. Before this standardization, land descriptions were often irregular, relying on natural landmarks, which led to disputes. Adopting the section as a uniform unit provided a clear framework for land surveys and legal transactions, facilitating the orderly settlement of new territories. This systematic approach allowed for a more efficient process of transferring land ownership.

Sections within the Public Land Survey System

Sections are components of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), also known as the Rectangular Survey System. This surveying method systematically divides and describes real property for sale and settlement across much of the United States. Within the PLSS, sections are organized into larger square units called townships. Each standard township is six miles by six miles, comprising 36 individual sections.

The PLSS grid system is established through the intersection of principal meridians and baselines. Principal meridians run north and south, while baselines extend east and west, forming starting points for surveys. Township lines run parallel to the baseline, and range lines run parallel to the principal meridian, creating a checkerboard pattern of townships. Townships are numbered based on their position north or south of the baseline and east or west of the principal meridian. Sections within each township are numbered starting from 1 in the northeast corner and proceeding to 36 in the southeast corner.

Dividing a Section for Property Ownership

While a full section encompasses 640 acres, it is often divided into smaller parcels for individual property ownership. A common subdivision is the “quarter section,” which represents one-fourth of a full section. Each quarter section measures 160 acres and is a half-mile by a half-mile square. These quarter sections are designated by cardinal directions, such as the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4), Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4), Southeast Quarter (SE 1/4), and Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4).

Further division of these parcels can occur, leading to “quarter-quarter sections.” A quarter-quarter section is one-fourth of a quarter section, resulting in a parcel of 40 acres. For instance, the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4 of NW 1/4) of a section would be a 40-acre parcel. Property descriptions often follow this pattern, starting with the smallest subdivision and building up to the larger section, township, and range. Understanding these subdivisions is helpful for interpreting land surveys and property records.

Practical Application in Property Descriptions

The standardized system of sections, townships, and ranges is fundamental to creating precise legal descriptions for properties. A legal description is a written statement that uniquely identifies a specific piece of land, distinguishing it from all other properties. These descriptions are necessary for official documents such as deeds, mortgages, and land records, forming the basis for transferring real estate. Without a clear and accurate legal description, property boundaries can become ambiguous, potentially leading to disputes among landowners.

The use of sections and their subdivisions ensures consistency and accuracy over time, preventing boundary conflicts and maintaining a clear chain of title. For instance, a property might be described as the “SW 1/4 of Section 10, Township 1N, Range 2W,” precisely pinpointing its location within the larger grid system. This level of detail provides surveyors with sufficient information to locate and measure land boundaries. Any inaccuracies or errors in a legal description can cause significant delays in real estate transactions and may jeopardize an owner’s claim to the land.