Also known as:sections of land · section · land section · PLSS section
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
in property law
A standard subdivision of land in the rectangular survey system. It measures one square mile and contains 640 acres.
Sources & Authorities· 40 primary sources
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Cases
Statutes
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Lease of Surveyed Tract
Sylvia Santos leased a full section of land from Stonehaven Properties for farming. The landlord failed to repair the irrigation system under its control, rendering the property unsuitable for the contemplated agricultural use. After notice and a reasonable time without correction, Sylvia invoked remedies under the lease terms.
Custody Order Binding Effect
Samuel Soto and his former spouse litigated custody of their child in a state court with jurisdiction under the Act. The resulting order addressed the family home situated on a section of land the parents had acquired together. The determination bound both parties as to all decided issues of law and fact.
Skylar Sullivan inherited a section of land from her parents before marriage. During the marriage the land appreciated substantially in value. The appreciation remained her individual property because it was not reclassified under the applicable section of the Uniform Act.
Post-Dissolution Transaction
Santiago Sanchez and his partner operated a ranch on a section of land. After dissolution of the partnership, Santiago entered a grazing lease with a third party who lacked notice of the dissolution. The lease bound the former partnership under the statute.
Defense of Property Request
Spencer Silver discovered a trespasser on his section of land. Before using force to remove the intruder, Spencer first requested that the person desist from the interference. The request satisfied the statutory precondition for justifiable force.
Choice of Law for Land Issues
Sebastian Santos conveyed interests in a section of land located in another state. The court applied its own procedural rules to process and joinder while selecting the foreign state's law for capacity to convey the real property.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
1
How large is a section of land under the rectangular survey system?+
A section measures one square mile and equals 640 acres.
Supporting sources
5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803)Property
…of King's Bench has the power because it is the supreme court of judicature, shall this court be denied that power? The second section of the third article of the Constitution gives this court appellate jurisdiction in all cases in law and equity arising under the Constitution and laws of the United States (except the…