Land Title Practice Manual

64 Substitution For Metes And Bounds Or Abbreviated Description

In This Volume

  • 64 (1) If the registrar accepts a metes and bounds description or an abbreviated description of a new parcel, with or without an explanatory or reference plan, the registrar may assign a distinguishing letter to the parcel.
  • (2) The description referred to in subsection (1), together with the distinguishing letter, may be endorsed in the register at the time of the first registration of indefeasible title to the parcel, but in all subsequent indefeasible titles, the description, unless the registrar otherwise directs, must be omitted, and in the case of a metes and bounds description, the parcel may be sufficiently described by an abbreviated description.
  • (3) If the registrar has, under subsection (1), accepted a description accompanied by an explanatory or reference plan, the registrar may require the distinguishing letter to be marked on the plan.

1979-219-64; 1982-60-15, proclaimed effective August 1, 1983.

PRACTICE

Abbreviated Description

The following is an example of an abbreviated description:

That portion of Lot 1, District Lot 100, Lillooet District, Plan 9284 lying east of a line drawn parallel and perpendicularly distant 100 feet west of the east boundary for the full depth of the said lot. To be known hereafter as Parcel A (see KD1234).

Note that KD1234 represents the title number assigned to the first title issued for the newly described parcel and the document creating the same.

Metes and Bounds Descriptions Discouraged

The registrar discourages use of metes and bounds descriptions, except for areas that are very easily described.

Registration

An owner makes application to the registrar by way of Form 17, with an attached Form H236 (Highways) or letter from the municipality approved by the approving officer. The registrar always updates remainder parcels in the register by registering new titles to the remainders.

CROSS REFERENCES AND OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Acceptance of Descriptions

See s. 99 of the Act regarding the circumstances in which the registrar may accept metes and bounds descriptions, abbreviated descriptions, and explanatory and reference plans for creating parcels.

Reading Metes and Bounds Descriptions

See “Appendix 1: Reading Metes and Bounds Descriptions” in this chapter.

Distinguishing Letters and Distinguishing Numbers

Section 1 of the Act defines “distinguishing letter” as including “distinguishing number”. The registrar’s practice is to assign a distinguishing letter or number depending on the circumstances of the case and keeping in mind s. 58(1) of the Act. As to numbering generally, see Rule 4-4(4) of the Survey and Plan Rules and Electronic Land Title Plan and Plan Application Requirements s. 4.1(f) and (g).