Legal Description

A Complete Legal Description should include the following information:

  • The platting information (if property is platted):
    • Subdivision name or Certified Survey Map number (CSM#)
    • Lots and or blocks
  • or if unplatted, then "metes and bounds" tied into the Public Land Survey System (e.g. Commencing 232 feet S 23º 12' 34' W of NW cor)
  • Public Land Survey Information:
    • Quarter Section or Quarter/Quarter Section (e.g. NE 1/4 or NE 1/4 NE 1/4)
    • Section number (There are 36 sections in a township - e.g. Section 12)
    • Town number (e.g. T 24 N) note all towns in Wisconsin are N (North) Pierce Co. Town Numbers 24-27
    • Range number (e.g. R 15 W , T 20 W) Pierce Co. Range Numbers 15-20
  • Municipality (e.g. Town, Village or City of River Falls)
  • County

The following legal description beginning with "Commencing at" is NOT ACCEPTABLE

"Commencing at the Northeast corner of the NW1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 10, thence s 50 feet to the south right of way....etc.