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In This Volume

  • 58 (1) The registrar may allow or require the use of a method of describing land that is authorized by this Act and that will, in the registrar’s opinion, best ensure brevity, accuracy and uniformity in the records.
  • (2) Descriptions of land in accordance with this Act are sufficient for every transaction, dealing, instrument or proceeding relating to land, whether in or out of the land title office, and whether under this Act or any other Act where a description of land is required.
  • (3) The registrar may assign to a parcel of land a number, known as the permanent parcel identifier, for the purpose of facilitating parcel identification in records and instruments.
  • (4) The registrar may require as part of a description of land,
  • (a) the permanent parcel identifier that has been assigned by the registrar under subsection (3),
  • (b) computer keying instructions respecting the parcel, and
  • (c) other information that the director prescribes.

1979-219-58; 1982-60-14, proclaimed effective August 1, 1983.

PRACTICE

Parcel Identifier and Legal Description

The Parcel Identification number (PID) is a nine-digit number identifying a specific parcel of land. The registrar only assigns PID numbers to parcels for which a title has been entered in the computer register as a registered title. After assignment of a PID number to a parcel, applicants must show the number on documents in addition to the legal description.

Electronic Plan Application

For electronic documents where a PID number has not been assigned, the document must be related to a pending plan application number that does contain a PID number. Some exceptions not requiring a PID number exist for electronic submissions over common property, closed road, and Crown land.

Instructions for completing electronic forms for these exceptions are described in the

Creation of Description of Land

The registrar creates legal descriptions by using the “core elements” of the description in the original grant (that is, the section and district descriptions), and by adding the necessary lot, block, and plan number from the new subdivision plan. For future subdivisions, the registrar carries forward the core legal description only and drops references to information from the previous plan unless crucial to identification.

CROSS REFERENCES AND OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

For clarification of the director’s requirements for standardized legal descriptions, see s. 98 of the Act; s. 99; and s. 100.

See s. 99 of the Act regarding the circumstances in which the registrar may accept other forms of land descriptions.

Registration of Title to Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company Land

See s. 61 of the Act regarding special description requirements.