What is a metes and bounds survey?

A metes and bounds survey is a legal description of land based on physical boundaries and measurements, making it essential for defining property lines and ownership. This method employs specific physical features of the land, such as trees, streams, roads, and angles, to outline the perimeter of a piece of property. It starts at a particular point, or point of beginning, and describes the boundary lines by stating distances (metes) and directions (bounds).

This technique is particularly useful in areas where land parcels do not conform to a regular geometric shape, as it allows for more tailored and specific descriptions that reflect the actual characteristics of the land. By offering a detailed account of the property’s borders and identifying landmarks, a metes and bounds survey becomes a fundamental aspect of landownership, legal disputes, and development planning.

The other options do not capture the essence of a metes and bounds survey; they focus on aspects unrelated to property boundary description. For instance, measuring elevation changes pertains to topographic surveying, assessing land value involves appraisals, and collecting environmental data is connected to environmental assessments, all of which do not encompass the primary purpose of metes and bounds surveying.