SF 2161

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to real property; providing for plats of land; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2006, sections 505.01; 505.03, subdivision 1; 505.04; 505.08,
subdivision 2; 505.1792, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 505; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections
505.02; 505.08, subdivisions 1, 2a, 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 505.01, is amended to read:

505.01 PLATS, DONATIONS new text begin , PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS new text end .

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Donations. new text end

Plats of land may be made in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter, and, when so made and recorded, every donation new text begin of a park new text end to
the public deleted text begin or any person or corporation noted thereon deleted text end shall operate to convey the fee of
all land so donated, for the uses and purposes named or intended, with the same effect,
upon the donor and the donor's heirs, and in favor of the donee, as though such land were
conveyed by warranty deed. Land donated for any public use in any municipality shall be
held in the corporate name in trust for the purposes set forth or intended. new text begin A street, road,
alley, trail, and other public way dedicated or donated on a plat shall convey an easement
only. Easements dedicated or donated on a plat shall convey an easement only.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin A plat prepared and recorded in accordance with this chapter
may be used to:
new text end

new text begin (1) indicate the dedication of easements for public ways, utility easements, and
drainage easements as necessary for orderly development;
new text end

new text begin (2) depict one or more parcels for the purpose of simplifying legal descriptions; or
new text end

new text begin (3) comply with minor subdivision procedures of a local unit of government.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) "Block" means a tract of land consisting of one or more
lots, as identified on the plat, and bounded by plat boundaries, public ways, outlots, parks,
or bodies of water.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Drainage easement" means an easement for the purpose of controlling,
preserving, and providing for the flow or storage of water.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Lot" means a tract of land which is all or part of a block and is identified on the
plat.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Minor subdivision procedure" means an approval process that a local unit of
government may adopt under this chapter for simple land divisions.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Outlot" means a tract of land identified by a capital letter and is land that is
not part of a block.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Plat" means a delineation of one or more existing parcels of land drawn to scale
showing all data as required by this chapter, depicting the location and boundaries of lots,
blocks, outlots, parks, and public ways.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Plat monument" means a durable magnetic marker placed at all locations
required by this chapter or other locations as shown on the plat.
new text end

new text begin (h) "Public way" means a thoroughfare or cul-de-sac which provides ingress and
egress to the public.
new text end

new text begin (i) "Survey line" means a monumented reference line that is not a boundary.
new text end

new text begin (j) "Utility easement" means an easement conveyed, granted, or dedicated to the
public for utility purposes.
new text end

new text begin (k) "Water boundary" means the shore or margin of lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks,
streams, drainage ditches, or swamps.
new text end

new text begin (l)"Wet land" means all rivers, streams, creeks, drainage ditches, lakes, ponds, and
swamps.
new text end

new text begin (m) "Witness monument" means a plat monument placed at an identified distance
and direction from a corner that is in a physical location that is not practical to monument.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [505.021] PLAT CONTENTS; SURVEY; COUNTY SURVEYOR
APPROVAL.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Plat format. new text end

new text begin A plat shall be prepared on four mil transparent
reproducible film or the equivalent, and shall be prepared by a photographic process. Plat
sheet size shall be 22 inches by 34 inches. A border line shall be placed one-half inch
inside the outer edge of the plat on the top and bottom 34-inch sides; and the right 22-inch
side; and two inches inside the outer edge of the plat on the left 22-inch side. If a plat
consists of more than one sheet, the sheets shall be numbered consecutively.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Plat name; legal description; dedication statement. new text end

new text begin The plat name shall
appear across the top portion of the plat and in the dedication paragraph of the plat and
shall not duplicate or be similar to the name of any plat that is in the office of the county
recorder or registrar of titles in the county in which the land is located. The plat name shall
be in capital letters in all locations that the name appears on the plat. The plat shall contain
a complete and accurate description of each tract of land being platted and a dedication
statement describing what part of the land is dedicated, to whom, and for what purpose.
In the event of a discrepancy between the plat name stated in the dedication statement
and the plat name appearing in other portions of the plat, the name in the dedication
statement shall control.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Ownership interest; acknowledgment. new text end

new text begin The names and signatures of all
fee owners, contract for deed vendees, and mortgage holders of record of the land being
platted shall appear on the plat, together with a statement as to their interest. The marital
status of individual owners shall appear on the plat. Entities shall identify the specific
type of entity and the jurisdiction in which the entity is organized. Agents or officers for
an entity shall state their position with the entity. A mortgage holder may consent to
the plat by a written acknowledged statement in lieu of the mortgage holder's name and
signature appearing on the plat. If a mortgage holder is included on the plat, the plat shall
be signed by an authorized representative. If a certificate of notarial act on a plat includes
the jurisdiction of the notarial act, the name of the notarial officer, the title of the notarial
officer, and the date the notary commission expires, printed in pen and ink or typewritten
on the plat, a plat shall be recorded regardless of whether a notary stamp was used or was
illegible if used. All signatures on the plat shall be written with black ink (not ball point).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Boundary; lots; blocks; outlots. new text end

new text begin Plat boundaries shall be designated
on the plat in accordance with the underlying legal description and survey. All lots in
each block shall be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals beginning with the
numeral 1. All blocks shall be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals beginning
with numeral 1. All outlots shall be labeled OUTLOT in capital letters and lettered
consecutively in capital letters beginning with the letter "A." All lot, block, and outlot
lines shall be drawn as a solid line. The name and adjacent boundary line of any adjoining
platted lands shall be dotted on the plat.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Mathematical data; dimensions; labels; symbols. new text end

new text begin A plat shall show
all survey and mathematical information and data necessary to locate and retrace all
boundary lines and monuments. Bearings, azimuths, and central angles shall be expressed
in degrees, minutes, and seconds and labeled with the respective symbols. A north arrow
and directional orientation note shall be shown. Distances shall be expressed in feet
and hundredths of a foot. All straight line segments of the plat shall be labeled with the
length of the line and bearing or azimuth. All curved line segments of the plat shall be
labeled with the central angle, arc length, and radius length. If any curve is nontangential
the dimensions shall include a long chord bearing or azimuth, and shall be labeled
nontangential. The mathematical closure tolerance of the plat boundary, blocks, lots, and
outlots shall not exceed 2/100 of a foot. A graphics scale shall be shown along with the
label "Scale In Feet." Dimension and descriptive recitals in the legal description shown on
the plat shall be depicted and labeled on the graphic portion of the plat. A symbol shall
indicate the position of all found and set plat monuments, along with a description of each.
Ditto marks and foot and inch symbols shall not be used.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Public ways. new text end

new text begin All public ways within the plat, whether existing at the time
of platting or being dedicated by the plat shall be depicted on the plat together with the
name and sufficient mathematical data to locate the position and width of the public way.
The location of all existing public ways adjacent to the plat boundary shall be depicted
on the plat as dashed lines. The name and width of the adjacent public ways shall be
shown, if known.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Easements. new text end

new text begin All easements to be dedicated on the plat shall be depicted
on the plat with purpose, identification, and sufficient mathematical data to locate the
boundaries of the easements. Easements created on the plat shall be limited to public utility
and/or drainage easements as defined in section 505.01, subdivision 3, paragraphs (b),
(h), and (j). Easement boundaries shall be shown as dashed lines. Temporary easements,
building setback information, and building floor elevations shall not be shown on a plat.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Water boundaries. new text end

new text begin Any water boundary abutting or lying within the plat
boundaries shall be shown and identified on the plat as a solid line delineating the then
existing shore line. When any parcel depicted on the plat includes water as a boundary,
a dashed survey line shall be shown and labeled with sufficient mathematical data to
compute a closure of said parcel. Distances shall be shown between the survey line and
the water boundary at all angle points, lot and boundary lines. Plat monuments shall be
set at all locations where the survey line intersects a plat boundary line or block, lot or
outlot line. The water elevation of any lake, stream, or river depicted on the plat shall be
shown to the tenth of a foot along with the date the elevation was measured. All elevations
shall be referenced to a durable benchmark described on the plat together with its general
location shown and benchmark elevation to the hundredth of a foot. If a mean sea level
adjusted datum benchmark is available within two miles of the land being platted, all
elevations shall be referenced to the datum. The highest known water elevation shall be
indicated on the plat if the data is available from the Department of Natural Resources, the
United States Army Corps of Engineers, or another appropriate governmental unit. All wet
lands as defined in section 505.01, subdivision 3, paragraph (l), shall be shown on the plat.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Certifications. new text end

new text begin (a) A plat shall contain a certification by the land surveyor
who surveyed or directly supervised the survey of the land being platted, and prepared the
plat or directly supervised the plat preparation. The certificate shall state that:
new text end

new text begin (1) the plat is a correct representation of the boundary survey;
new text end

new text begin (2) all mathematical data and labels are correctly designated on the plat;
new text end

new text begin (3) all monuments depicted on the plat have been or will be correctly set within
one year as indicated on the plat;
new text end

new text begin (4) all water boundaries and wet lands as of the date of the surveyor's certification
are shown and labeled on the plat; and
new text end

new text begin (5) all public ways are shown and labeled on the plat.
new text end

new text begin The surveyor's certification shall be properly acknowledged by the surveyor on the plat
before a notarial officer.
new text end

new text begin (b) A plat shall contain a certification of approval executed by the local elected
governmental unit or an authorized official designated by the local elected governmental
unit.
new text end

new text begin (c) In any county that requires review and approval of plats by the county surveyor
or another land surveyor, the plat shall contain a certification of approval executed by the
county surveyor or land surveyor that this plat is in compliance with this section.
new text end

new text begin (d) A plat shall contain a certification by the proper county official that there are
no delinquent taxes owed and that the current year's payable taxes have been paid in
accordance with section 272.12.
new text end

new text begin (e) A plat shall contain a certification of recording by the county recorder or registrar
of titles, or both, if the plat contains both nonregistered and registered property.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Survey. new text end

new text begin The land surveyor that certifies the plat shall survey or directly
supervise the survey of the land depicted on the plat. Plat monuments shall be set at all
angle and curve points on the outside boundary lines of the plat prior to recording. Interior
block, lot, and witness monuments shall be set within one year after recording the plat. A
financial guarantee may be required for the placement of monuments. If it is impracticable
to set a plat monument, a witness plat monument shall be set. The license number of the
land surveyor that certifies the plat shall be affixed to all set plat monuments.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin County surveyor approval. new text end

new text begin All plats prepared for recording in
accordance with this section are subject to approval by the county surveyor in accordance
with section 389.09, subdivision 1, and/or as authorized by their respective county board
of commissioners.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 505.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

deleted text begin Plat formalities deleted text end new text begin City, town, and county approval new text end .

deleted text begin On the plat shall
be written an instrument of dedication, which shall be signed and acknowledged by the
owner of the land. All signatures on the plat shall be written with black ink (not ball point).
The instrument shall contain a full and accurate description of the land platted and set forth
what part of the land is dedicated, and also to whom, and for what purpose these parts are
dedicated. The surveyor shall certify on the plat that the plat is a correct representation
of the survey, that all distances are correctly shown on the plat, that all monuments have
been or will be correctly placed in the ground as shown or stated, and that the outside
boundary lines are correctly designated on the plat. If there are no wet lands or public
highways to be designated in accordance with section 505.02, the surveyor shall so state.
The certificate shall be sworn to before any officer authorized to administer an oath. The
plat deleted text end new text begin Plats new text end shall, except in cities whose charters provide for official supervision of plats by
municipal officers or bodies, together with an abstract and certificate of title, be presented
for approval to the council of the city or town board of towns wherein there reside over
5,000 people in which the land is located; and, if the land is located outside the limits of
any city, or such town, then to the board of county commissioners of the county in which
the land is located. new text begin Plats that subdivide land are subject to the approval of the elected body
of the local governmental units exercising authority over the subdivision of the land. Plats
that only delineate existing parcels or comply with a minor subdivision procedure may be
approved by a local government official designated by the governing body of the local
governmental unit exercising authority over the subdivision of land.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 505.04, is amended to read:

505.04 new text begin REAL ESTATE TAXES; new text end RECORDING new text begin ; COPIES new text end .

Every plat, when duly certified, signed, and acknowledged, as provided in section
, and upon presentation of a certificate from the deleted text begin county treasurer deleted text end new text begin authorized
county official new text end that the current year's taxes have been paid, shall be deleted text begin filed and deleted text end recorded in
the office of the county recorder new text begin or registrar of titles, or both, if the plat contains both
nonregistered and registered property. An exact transparent reproducible copy shall, at the
discretion of the county recorder or registrar of titles, be provided to the county recorder or
registrar of titles, or both, if the plat contains both nonregistered and registered property.
The official plat shall be labeled "OFFICIAL PLAT" and any copy shall be labeled "copy."
The official plat and any copy shall be placed under the direct supervision of the county
recorder or registrar of titles, or both, if the plat contains both nonregistered and registered
property and be open to inspection by the public. In counties having a full-time county
surveyor who operates an office on a full-time basis, the exact copy may be placed under
the direct supervision of the county surveyor and be open to inspection by the public.
Upon request of the county auditor of the county wherein the land is situated, the county
recorder or registrar of titles shall cause a reproduction copy of the official plat, or of the
exact copy, to be made and filed with the county auditor, at the expense of the county new text end .

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 505.08, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Public certified copies.

The copies of the official plat or of the exact
reproducible copy shall be compared and certified to by the county recorder new text begin or registrar
of titles new text end in the manner in which certified copies of records are issued in the recorder's new text begin or
registrar's new text end office, and the copy thereof shall be deleted text begin bound in a proper volume deleted text end for the use of
the general public and anyone shall have access to and may inspect such certified copy
deleted text begin at their pleasure deleted text end new text begin during normal business hours new text end . When the plat includes both registered
and nonregistered land deleted text begin two deleted text end new text begin , new text end copies thereof shall be so certified and deleted text begin bound, one deleted text end new text begin available new text end
for such general public use in each of the offices of the county recorder and registrar
of titles; provided, however, that only one such copy so certified deleted text begin and bound deleted text end shall be
provided for general public use in those counties wherein the deleted text begin office quarters deleted text end new text begin offices new text end of
the county recorder and registrar of titles are one and the same. When deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin any new text end copy, or
any part thereof, shall become deleted text begin unintelligible deleted text end new text begin illegible new text end from use or wear or otherwise, deleted text begin at
the request of the county recorder it shall be the duty of the county surveyor deleted text end new text begin it shall be
the duty of the county recorder or registrar of titles or county surveyor, depending upon
where the copy resides, new text end to make a reproduction copy of the official plat, or the exact
transparent reproducible copy deleted text begin under the direct supervision of the county recorder, who
shall deleted text end new text begin . It shall be the responsibility of the county recorder or registrar of titles to new text end compare
the copy, certify that it is a correct copy thereof, by proper certificate as deleted text begin above deleted text end set forth new text begin
above new text end , and it shall be deleted text begin bound in the volume, and under the page, and deleted text end new text begin made available new text end in
deleted text begin the deleted text end place of the deleted text begin discarded deleted text end new text begin illegible new text end copy. deleted text begin In counties not having a county surveyor the
county recorder shall employ a licensed land surveyor to make such reproduction copy,
at the expense of the county. The county recorder shall receive as a fee for filing these
plats, as aforesaid described, pursuant to section 357.18, subdivision 1. deleted text end Reproductions
from the exact transparent reproducible copy shall be available to any person upon request
and the cost of such reproductions shall be paid by the person making such request. If a
copy of the official plat is requested new text begin , new text end the county recorder shall prepare it and duly certify
that it is a copy of the official plat and the cost of such copy shall be paid by the person
making such request.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 505.1792, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Requirements.

deleted text begin Said plats shall be uniform in size measuring 20 by 30
inches from outer edge to outer edge. A border line shall be placed one-half inch inside
the outer edges of the plat or map on the top, bottom, and right hand side; a border line
shall be placed two inches inside the outer edge on the left hand side. A north arrow and
scale of the plat shall be shown on the plat which scale shall be of such dimension that the
plat may be easily interpreted. The plat may consist of more than one sheet but if more
than one sheet, they shall be numbered progressively and match lines of the right-of-way
shall be indicated on each sheet. An official and one or more identical copies of each plat
shall be prepared in black on white mat photographic card stock with double cloth back
mounting or material of equal quality. One exact reproducible copy of the official plat
shall be prepared on linen tracing cloth by a photographic process or on material of equal
quality. The plat on white card stock shall be labeled "Official Plat" and the reproducible
copy shall be labeled "Reproducible Copy of Official Plat". The reproducible copy shall
be compared with the official plat and certified to by the county recorder in the manner in
which certified copies of records are issued in the recorder's office, and the copies shall
be bound in a proper volume for the use of the general public. The official plat may be
inspected by any member of the public but only in the presence of the county recorder or
the registrar of titles or a deputy. Any member of the public may have made a copy of the
official plat by paying to the proper officer the cost of reproduction together with a fee of
50 cents for certification by the filing officer. Reproductions from the exact transparent
reproducible copy shall be available to any person upon request and the cost of such
reproductions shall be paid by the person making such request. If the abutting property is
abstract property the plat shall be filed with the county recorder; if registered property,
with the registrar of titles; if both registered and nonregistered property, then with both the
county recorder and the registrar of titles, and when so filed with the registrar of titles ,
the registrar shall enter a reference to said plat as a memorial on all certificates of title of
registered lands which abut the right-of-way shown on the map or plat filed.
deleted text end

deleted text begin In counties having microfilming capabilities, a plat may be prepared on sheets of
suitable mylar or on linen tracing cloth by photographic process or on material of equal
quality. The plat shall be labeled "Official Plat." Notwithstanding any other provisions
of this subdivision to the contrary, no other copies of the plat need to be filed. deleted text end new text begin The map
or plat shall be prepared in compliance with section 505.021, subdivisions 1 and 5, and
recorded in compliance with section 505.04.
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 505.02; and 505.08, subdivisions 1, 2a, and 3, new text end new text begin are
repealed.
new text end