Colorado Land Surveyor Practice Exam

What defines the criteria for a property parcel's description?

1. It can be verbal or written description

2. It must be drawn in a plat map only

3. It must be recorded in a legal office

4. It can be defined by land use only

The correct answer is: It must be recorded in a legal office

A property's parcel description is a crucial legal document that identifies and delineates the boundaries and characteristics of the property. The requirement that this description must be recorded in a legal office is important because it ensures that the information is legally recognized and can be referenced in future transactions or disputes. Recording in a legal office protects the interests of property owners, providing public notice of ownership and any encumbrances. While verbal or written descriptions may be useful informally, they do not hold the same legal weight unless they are documented and recorded. Similarly, while plat maps provide a visual representation of property boundaries, they are not the sole means of describing a parcel and must still conform to legal standards to be valid. Lastly, defining a parcel solely by land use does not adequately capture the legal boundaries necessary for ownership and transactional purposes, which is why a complete and official description must include thorough legal documentation in a recognized office.