Legal Description & Site Plan Requirements and Layouts

Legal Description & Site Plan Requirements and Layouts

Plot Plan * A plot plan shows the location of a house from an aerial view.

* The site plan, also known as a plot or lot plan includes: 1. Site plan scale 2. Legal description of the property 3. Property line bearings and dimensions 4. North direction 5. Existing and proposed roads 6. Driveways, patios, walks, and parking areas 7. Existing and proposed structures 8. Public or private water supply 9. Public or private sewage disposal 10. Location of utilities 11. Rain and footing drains, and storm sewers or drainage 12. Topography, including contour lines or land elevations at lot corners, street, center line, driveways, and floor elevations 13. Setbacks 14. Specific items on adjacent properties may be required 15. Existing and proposed trees may be required

The site plan should identify trees that are to remain on the site after construction.

Easement The right -of-way for access to the property for the purpose of construction and maintenance of utilities. Setback Imaginary boundaries beyond which the structure may not be place.

Plat A map of part of a city or township showing some specific area, such as a subdivision make up of several individual lots. *Plot One construction lot size

There are three basic types of legal descriptions: 1. Metes and Bounds System 2. Rectangular Survey System 3. Lot and Block System

1. Metes and Bounds System Metes (Measurements) and Bounds (Boundaries) are used to identify the perimeters of any property.

Feet Yards Rods Surveyor's Chain Metes are measured in: 3' = 1 yard 5.5 yards or 15.5' = 1 rod 66' = 1 surveyor's chain

Boundaries are established as bearings, directions with reference to one quadrant of the compass. There are 360 degrees in a circle or compass, and each quadrant has 90 degrees Degrees are divided into minutes (') and seconds ( ) 60 minutes (60') = 1 degree 60 seconds (60 ) = 1 minute

Bearings are measured clockwise or counterclockwise from north or south. Examples: A reading 45 degrees from North or West is labeled N 45 W If a bearing requires great accuracy, fractions of a degree are used: S 30 20'10 E.

The metes and bounds land survey begins with a monument, known as the point-of-beginning (POB) This point is a fixed location In times past it has been a pile or rocks, a large tree, or an iron rod driven into the ground The picture shows an example

Bench Mark *If the property corner begins or ends on a bench mark it is usually identified with a special Bench Mark Symbol.

Lines of latitude, also called parallels, are imaginary lines running East and West 2. Rectangular Survey System Lines of longitude, also called meridians, are imaginary lines running North and South The lines of latitude (parallels), are termed the baselines, and the lines of longitude (meridians), are called principal meridians.

The lines of latitude (parallels), are termed the baselines, and the lines of longitude (meridians), are called principal meridians. The baselines and meridians were divided into blocks called townships. Each township measures 6 square miles.

The townships are numbered by tiers and ranges. Tiers run North or South of a principal base line. Township Number 4 South, abbreviated T 4 S. Ranges run East or West of a principal meridian. Range Number 3 East, abbreviated R 3 E. Together it would like like T. 4 S. and R. 3 E.

Each township is then broken up into sections. Each section is 1 square mile. Sections in a township are numbered from 1 to 36. Section one starts in the upper right corner. One acre equals 43,560 sq. ft., and one section of land contains 640 acres.

1. Each section is divided into 4 quarters. 2. Each quarter is divided again into 4 quarter sections. 3. Properties are divided into each quarter section.

3. Lot and Block System This legal description system can be derived from either the metes and bounds or the rectangular system. A subdivision is established as a legal plot and recorded in the local county records. The subdivision is given a name and broken into blocks of lots.

Topography is a physical description of land surface showing variation in elevation. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation and help show the general lay of the land.

*The vertical distance between contour lines is known as contour interval. *When contour lines are not close together they represent a relatively flat or gentle sloping land area.

In most cases the only contour-related information required for a plot plan is: Property corner elevations. Street elevation at a driveway. Elevation of the finished floor levels of the structure. Slope may be defined and labeled with an arrow.

A minimum driveway slope is ¼ inch per foot. A single-car driveway should be a minimum of 10 feet wide. A double-car driveway should be a minimum of 18 feet wide. The minimum turn radius for a driveway should be 15 feet although 20 feet would be preferred if space permits.

* When a public sewer system is not available a private septic must be installed.