Legal Definitions - fractional

When discussing land, the term fractional refers to a parcel or tract of land that deviates from standard or expected dimensions, acreage, or shape. This often occurs when a piece of land is either smaller or larger than a conventional unit, or its boundaries are irregular, making it an "incomplete" or "non-standard" portion of a larger area.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: River Boundary Shift

  Imagine a large farm property that was originally surveyed to be exactly 160 acres, with one boundary defined by a winding river. Over many years, the river's course naturally shifted, gradually eroding some land from the farm on one side and depositing new land on the other. When the property is re-surveyed for a sale, it's found to now measure 155.8 acres, and its shape along the river is more irregular than the original survey indicated. This 155.8-acre parcel would be described as a fractional tract because its current acreage and boundary configuration differ from the standard, expected 160-acre unit due to natural changes.

• Example 2: Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Irregularities

  In many parts of the United States, land is surveyed using the Public Land Survey System, which divides land into townships, sections, and quarter-sections. Ideally, a section is one square mile, containing 640 acres. However, due to the curvature of the Earth and the methods used for surveying, sections located along the northern and western boundaries of a township often contain slightly more or less than the standard 640 acres. For instance, a section that is officially recorded as 635.25 acres or 642.75 acres would be considered a fractional section because its acreage deviates from the standard 640-acre unit, even though it's part of a larger systematic survey.

• Example 3: Irregular Subdivision Lot

  A developer is creating a new residential subdivision where most lots are designed to be a uniform 0.5 acres, creating a consistent neighborhood layout. However, one particular lot is situated at the intersection of two curved roads and also abuts a protected wetland area, preventing it from being shaped into a standard rectangular or square parcel. As a result, this lot ends up being an odd, triangular shape measuring only 0.38 acres. This lot would be considered a fractional lot because its size and irregular shape are significantly different from the standard 0.5-acre lots found throughout the rest of the subdivision.