Legal Definitions - Metes and Bounds

Metes and Bounds is a method used to describe the boundaries of a piece of land by referencing its physical features, both natural and artificial, along with specific directions and distances. It's a precise way to define property lines, often found in legal documents like deeds.

The description typically starts at a clearly identifiable point of beginning (POB). From this point, it traces the perimeter of the property by listing a series of directions (e.g., "north 30 degrees east"), distances (e.g., "150 feet"), and physical markers or boundaries (e.g., "to an old oak tree," "along the riverbank," "to a stone wall"). This process continues until the description returns precisely to the point of beginning, creating a closed boundary line for the property.

The "metes" refer to the measurements of distance and direction, while the "bounds" refer to the physical objects or features that mark the boundaries, such as trees, rocks, streams, roads, fences, or survey markers.

Here are some examples illustrating how Metes and Bounds descriptions work:

• Example 1: Rural Property Description

  Imagine a legal description for a rural plot of land that begins: "Starting at a specific iron rod planted at the base of a century-old sycamore tree (the Point of Beginning); thence running North 45 degrees East for 300 feet to the old stone wall marking the boundary with the adjacent farm; thence following the stone wall in a generally southerly direction for 500 feet until it meets the northern bank of Willow Creek; thence tracing the meandering northern bank of Willow Creek for 400 feet, heading west; thence turning directly north and proceeding 250 feet, returning precisely to the iron rod at the sycamore tree."

  How it illustrates Metes and Bounds: The "metes" are the specific distances (300 feet, 500 feet, 400 feet, 250 feet) and directions (North 45 degrees East, generally southerly, heading west, directly north). The "bounds" are the physical markers: the iron rod, the sycamore tree, the old stone wall, and the northern bank of Willow Creek. The description starts at a clear POB and traces the property's perimeter back to it.

• Example 2: Suburban Lot Definition

  A deed for a suburban residential lot might state: "Beginning at the intersection of Elm Street and Oak Avenue (the Point of Beginning); thence proceeding 100 feet north along the eastern edge of Elm Street; thence turning west and continuing 150 feet to a specific utility pole marked with survey tag #45B; thence from said utility pole, turning south and running 100 feet parallel to Elm Street; thence finally turning east and proceeding 150 feet back to the Point of Beginning at Oak Avenue."

  How it illustrates Metes and Bounds: Here, the "metes" are the distances (100 feet, 150 feet) and directions (north, west, south, east). The "bounds" include the intersection of Elm Street and Oak Avenue, the eastern edge of Elm Street, and the specific utility pole. These features provide the physical reference points that define the property's exact shape and location.

• Example 3: Commercial Property Boundary

  Consider a commercial property described as: "Commencing at the northwest corner of Lot 7, Block B, as recorded in Plat Book 12, Page 345, said corner being marked by a brass survey cap (the Point of Beginning); thence running South 88 degrees West for 220 feet along the northern boundary of the adjacent parcel owned by Smith Industries; thence turning South 2 degrees East for 180 feet to the center line of the old railroad spur; thence following the center line of the old railroad spur in a northeasterly direction for 250 feet; thence turning North 10 degrees West for 100 feet, returning to the Point of Beginning."

  How it illustrates Metes and Bounds: The "metes" are the precise compass bearings (South 88 degrees West, South 2 degrees East, North 10 degrees West) and distances (220 feet, 180 feet, 250 feet, 100 feet). The "bounds" are the brass survey cap, the northwest corner of Lot 7, the northern boundary of Smith Industries' parcel, and the center line of the old railroad spur. This description uses both established survey markers and recognizable physical features to delineate the property.