When using a legal description of a property, how do range lines run?

• A. East-west
• B. North-south
• C. Diagonal
• D. Circular

Answer: (B)

Range lines in a legal description of a property run north-south. This method of land description is part of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) used primarily in the United States. In this system, lands are divided into townships and ranges, where range lines demarcate the east and west boundaries of those townships.

Each range is defined by its distance east or west from a principal meridian, which is an established north-south reference line used in surveying. Thus, recognizing that range lines are specifically responsible for indicating the north-south orientation of a given area is essential for understanding how properties are described legally.

The clarity of this system is crucial for surveyors, landowners, and legal professionals, as it provides a standardized way to identify and map land.