Legal Land Description Glossary
Understand the terminology used in Canadian legal land descriptions. From DLS to NTS, we explain every term.
Survey Systems
DLS (Dominion Land Survey)
The rectangular survey system used to divide Western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and BC Peace River) into townships, ranges, and sections. Established in 1871 and based on the US Public Land Survey System.
NTS (National Topographic System)
A standardized system of topographic maps covering Canada, used for legal land descriptions in British Columbia. Divides land into map sheets, blocks, units, and quarter units.
Geographic Township
The survey system used in Ontario, where land is divided into named townships, concessions, and lots. Unlike DLS, townships have proper names rather than numbers.
FPS (Federal Permit System)
The land description system used in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and offshore areas. Based on NTS map sheet references with specific grid designations.
Land Units
LSD (Legal Subdivision)
A subdivision of a section under the DLS system. Each section contains 16 LSDs, numbered 1-16 in a specific pattern. Each LSD is approximately 40 acres.
Quarter Section
One-fourth of a section, approximately 160 acres. Designated as NE (northeast), NW (northwest), SE (southeast), or SW (southwest). Each quarter section contains 4 LSDs.
Section
A one-square-mile (640 acre) unit of land in the DLS system. Townships contain 36 sections, numbered in a serpentine pattern from 1 to 36.
Township
A 6-mile by 6-mile square area containing 36 sections. Townships are numbered northward from the US border. In the DLS system, this refers to the east-west row.
Range
A north-south column of townships in the DLS system. Ranges are numbered westward (or eastward) from a principal meridian.
Reference Lines
Meridian
A north-south reference line in the DLS system. Principal meridians (W1-W6 and E1-E2) serve as the starting point for measuring ranges. The Principal Meridian is near Winnipeg.
Correction Line
An east-west survey line in the DLS system that compensates for the earth's curvature. Located every fourth township (24 miles).
Base Line
The 49th parallel (US-Canada border), which serves as the baseline for township numbering in the DLS system.
NTS Terms
Map Sheet
In the NTS system, a standardized map area identified by a series number (1-117), area letter (A-P), and sheet number (1-16). Example: 93-P-8.
Block
In the NTS system, a subdivision of a map sheet. Blocks are identified by letters (A-L) and contain 100 units.
Unit
In the NTS system, a subdivision of a block. Units are numbered 1-100 and each contains 4 quarter units.
Quarter Unit
The smallest subdivision in the NTS system, identified by letters A, B, C, or D. Each quarter unit is approximately 25 hectares.
Ontario Terms
Concession
A strip of land within an Ontario geographic township, typically running the width of the township. Concessions are numbered from a baseline.
Lot
In Ontario's geographic township system, a subdivison of a concession. Lots are numbered along each concession.
Manitoba Terms
River Lot
A long, narrow parcel of land in Manitoba running perpendicular to a river (typically the Red or Assiniboine). Based on the French seigneurial system.
Parish
An administrative division in Manitoba used for river lot surveys. Parishes are named and contain numbered river lots.
Province Converters
Use these tools to convert legal land descriptions to GPS coordinates for each province.
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