2005 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 505. Plats; coordinates; surveys

PLATS

     505.01 Plats, donations.  

    Plats of land may be made in accordance with the provisions 
 of this chapter, and, when so made and recorded, every donation 
 to the public or any person or corporation noted thereon 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.  

    HIST: (8236) RL s 3365; 1986 c 444 

     505.02 Survey; contents of plat; boundaries. 

    Subdivision 1.    Plat contents.  The land shall be 
 surveyed and a plat made setting forth and naming all 
 thoroughfares, showing all public grounds, and giving the 
 dimensions of all lots, thoroughfares and public grounds.  All 
 in-lots shall be numbered by beginning the numbering with number 
 one and numbering each lot progressively, through the block in 
 which they are situated, all blocks shall be numbered 
 progressively, by beginning the numbering with the number one 
 and numbering each block progressively through each plat.  
 Consecutive lot or block numbering shall not be continued from 
 one plat into another.  All outlots shall be designated by 
 alphabetical order beginning with outlot "A" in each plat.  
 Durable iron monuments shall be set at all angle and curve 
 points on the outside boundary lines of the plat and also at all 
 block and lot corners and at all intermediate points on the 
 block and lot lines indicating changes of direction in the lines 
 and witness corners.  The plat shall indicate that all monuments 
 have been set or will be set within one year after recording, or 
 sooner as specified by the approving local governmental unit.  A 
 financial guarantee may be required for the placement of 
 monuments.  There shall be shown on the plat all survey and 
 mathematical information and data necessary to locate all 
 monuments and to locate and retrace any and all interior and 
 exterior boundary lines appearing thereon.  The outside boundary 
 lines of the plat shall be correctly designated on the plat and 
 shall show bearings on all straight lines, or angles at all 
 angle points, and central angle and radii and arc length for all 
 curves.  All distances shall be shown between all monuments as 
 measured to the nearest hundredth of a foot.  All lot distances 
 shall be shown on the plat to the nearest hundredth of a foot 
 and all curved lines within the plat shall show central angles, 
 radii and arc distances.  If a curved line constitutes the line 
 of more than one lot in any block of a plat, the central angle 
 for that part of each lot on the curved line shall be shown.  
 The width of all thoroughfares shall be shown on the plat.  
 Ditto marks shall not be used on the plat for any purpose.  In 
 any instance where a river, stream, creek, lake or pond 
 constitutes a boundary line within or of the plat, a survey line 
 shall be shown with bearings or angles and distances between all 
 angle points and their relation to a water line, and all 
 distances measured on the survey line between lot lines shall be 
 shown, and the survey line shall be shown as a dashed line.  The 
 outside boundary lines of the plat shall close by latitude and 
 departure with an error not to exceed one foot in 7,500 feet.  
 All rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, swamps, and all 
 public highways and thoroughfares laid out, opened, or traveled 
 (existing before the platting) shall be correctly located and 
 plainly shown and designated on the plat.  The name and adjacent 
 boundary lines of any adjoining platted lands shall be dotted on 
 the plat.  

    Subd. 2.    Water lines, elevation, easements.  Any such 
 plat which includes lands abutting upon any lake or stream shall 
 show, for the purpose of information only, a contour line 
 denoting the present shore line, water elevation and the date of 
 survey.  The highest known water elevation shall be indicated on 
 the face of the plat by numerical figures if this data is 
 available from the division of waters, soils and minerals of the 
 state Department of Natural Resources or from the United States 
 Corps of Engineers.  All elevations shall be referenced to a 
 durable bench mark described on the plat together with its 
 location and elevation to the nearest hundredth of a foot, which 
 shall be given in mean sea level datum if such bench mark with 
 known sea level datum is available within one-half mile, or such 
 longer distance as may be practicable.  The purpose of any 
 easement shown on the plat must be clearly stated, and shall be 
 confined to only those that deal with public utilities, and such 
 drainage easements as deemed necessary for the orderly 
 development of the land encompassed within the plat.  Building 
 setbacks or temporary easements shall not be shown on a plat.  
 All easements created or dedicated by such plat must be approved 
 by the governing or jurisdictional body or its agent prior to 
 recording of final plat.  

    HIST: (8237) RL s 3366; 1907 c 438 s 1; 1911 c 347 s 1; 1959 c 
 339 s 1; Ex1959 c 55 s 1; 1967 c 580 s 1; 1967 c 905 s 9; 1969 c 
 1129 art 3 s 1; 1990 c 396 s 1; 1992 c 493 s 11 

     505.03 Instruments of dedication; surveyor's certificate.

    Subdivision 1.    Plat formalities.  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 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. 

    Subd. 2.    Plat approval; road review.  (a) Any 
 proposed preliminary plat in a city, town, or county, which 
 includes lands abutting upon any existing or established trunk 
 highway or proposed highway which has been designated by a 
 centerline order filed in the office of the county recorder 
 shall first be presented by the city, town, or county to the 
 commissioner of transportation for written comments and 
 recommendations.  Preliminary plats in a city or town involving 
 both a trunk highway and a highway under county jurisdiction 
 shall be submitted by the city or town to the county highway 
 engineer as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) and to the 
 commissioner of transportation.  Plats shall be submitted by the 
 city, town, or county to the commissioner of transportation for 
 review at least 30 days prior to the home rule charter or 
 statutory city, town or county taking final action on the 
 preliminary plat.  The commissioner of transportation shall 
 submit the written comments and recommendations to the city, 
 town, or county within 30 days after receipt by the commissioner 
 of such a plat.  Final action on such plat by the city, town, or 
 county shall not be taken until after these required comments 
 and recommendations have been received or until the 30-day 
 period has elapsed.  

    (b) Any proposed preliminary plat or initial plat filing 
 that includes land located in a city or town bordering an 
 existing or proposed county road, highway, or county state-aid 
 highway that is designated on a map or county highway plan filed 
 in the office of the county recorder or registrar of titles, 
 must be submitted by the city or town to the county engineer 
 within five business days after receipt by the city or town of 
 the preliminary plat or initial plat filing for written comments 
 and recommendations.  The county engineer's review shall be 
 limited to factors of county significance in conformance with 
 adopted county guidelines developed through a public hearing or 
 a comprehensive planning process with comment by the cities and 
 towns.  The guidelines must provide for development and 
 redevelopment scenarios, allow for variances, and reflect 
 consideration of city or town adopted guidelines.  

    (c) Within 30 days after county receipt from the city or 
 town of the preliminary plat or initial plat filing, the county 
 engineer shall provide to the city or town written comments 
 stating whether the plat meets county guidelines and describing 
 any modifications necessary to bring the plat into conformity 
 with the county guidelines.  No city or town may approve a 
 preliminary plat until it has received the county engineer's 
 written comments and recommendations or until the county 
 engineer's comment period has expired, whichever occurs first.  
 Within ten business days following a city's or town's approval 
 of a preliminary plat, the city or town shall submit to the 
 county board notice of its approval, along with a statement 
 addressing the disposition of any written comments or 
 recommendations made by the county engineer.  In the event the 
 city or town does not amend the plat to conform to the 
 recommendations made by the county engineer, representatives 
 from the county and city or town shall meet to discuss the 
 differences and determine whether changes to the plat are 
 appropriate prior to final approval.  This requirement shall not 
 extend the time deadlines for preliminary or final approval as 
 required under this section, section 15.99 or 462.358, or any 
 other law, nor shall this requirement prohibit final approval as 
 required by this section. 

    (d) A legible preliminary drawing or print of a proposed 
 preliminary plat shall be acceptable for purposes of review by 
 the commissioner of transportation or the county highway 
 engineer.  To such drawing or print there shall be attached a 
 written statement describing; (1) the outlet for and means of 
 disposal of surface waters from the proposed platted area, (2) 
 the land use designation or zoning category of the proposed 
 platted area, (3) the locations of ingress and egress to the 
 proposed platted area, and (4) a preliminary site plan for the 
 proposed platted area, with dimensions to scale, authenticated 
 by a registered engineer or land surveyor, showing the existing 
 or proposed state highway, county road, or county highway and 
 all existing and proposed rights-of-way, easements, general lot 
 layouts, and lot dimensions.  Failure to obtain the written 
 comments and recommendations of the commissioner of 
 transportation or the county highway engineer shall in no manner 
 affect the title to the lands included in the plat or the 
 platting of said lands.  A city, town, or county shall file with 
 the plat, in the office of the county recorder or registrar of 
 titles, a certificate or other evidence showing submission of 
 the preliminary plat to the commissioner or county highway 
 engineer in compliance with this subdivision. 

    Subd. 3.    Check, approval, expenses, certification.  
 The council or board to whom the plat has been presented may, 
 after having notified the proprietor to that effect, employ 
 qualified persons to check and verify the surveys and plat, and 
 to determine the suitability of the plat from the standpoint of 
 community planning, and such persons shall make full reports of 
 their findings. The council or board may require the proprietor 
 to reimburse the city, town or county for the cost of such 
 services; if such services are rendered by a salaried employee 
 of the municipality, the charge therefor may be computed on the 
 basis of such employee's regular hourly, daily, weekly or 
 monthly wages or salary.  When the plat has been approved, it 
 shall be so certified to by the city or town clerk or county 
 auditor, as the case may be. 

    HIST: (8238) RL s 3367; 1907 c 438 s 2; 1953 c 165 s 1; 1955 c 
 866 s 1; 1959 c 339 s 2; 1967 c 580 s 2; 1973 c 9 s 1; 1973 c 
 123 art 5 s 7; 1976 c 166 s 7; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1980 c 533 s 14; 
 1986 c 444; 1992 c 493 s 12; 2000 c 497 s 2 

     505.04 Recording. 

    Every plat, when duly certified, signed, and acknowledged, 
 as provided in section 505.03, and upon presentation of a 
 certificate from the county treasurer that the current year's 
 taxes have been paid, shall be filed and recorded in the office 
 of the county recorder.  

    HIST: (8240) RL s 3368; 1907 c 438; 1911 c 347 s 2; 1967 c 580 
 s 3; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1983 c 222 s 43; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 68 

     505.05 Certain statutory city plats declared official. 

    In all cases in which numerous plats have been made or 
 recorded between the 15th day of September, A.D. 1887, and the 
 15th day of January, A.D. 1904, the last plat made and recorded 
 and affecting a particular statutory city is hereby declared to 
 be, and is hereby made, the official plat of the particular 
 statutory city to which it relates. 

    HIST: (8242) 1913 c 497 s 1; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7 

     505.06 Certain statutory city plats to be recorded. 

    Any statutory city plat which has been heretofore filed in 
 the office of the county recorder of the county in which the 
 statutory city is located, but not recorded, but has been and 
 has remained on file in the office of the county recorder for 
 more than 15 years prior to the passage of this section, shall, 
 upon the request of any property owner whose property is 
 affected by or included in the plat, and upon the payment of 
 legal fees therefor, be recorded by the county recorder; and, to 
 entitle any such plat to be so recorded, it shall not be 
 necessary to have the same approved by the council of such 
 statutory city, nor shall it be necessary to have the 
 certificate of the recorder of such statutory city or the 
 auditor of such county to or upon the plat or to have any 
 certificate upon such plat, not on the same at the time such 
 plat was so filed in the office of the county recorder. 

    HIST: (8241) 1913 c 325 s 1; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1976 c 181 
 s 2; 1986 c 444 

     505.07 City with new name may conform plat names.  

    The council of any statutory city in this state, the name 
 of which has been changed, is hereby given power and authority 
 to change, in the manner herein specified, the name of any and 
 all plats of real estate located within the corporate limits of 
 such statutory city to conform to the corporate name of such 
 statutory city.  

    In case the statutory city council determines to change the 
 name of any such plat, it shall adopt a resolution specifying 
 the plat, the name of which is to be changed, and designating 
 the name by which it shall thereafter be known, and a copy of 
 the resolution, duly certified by the clerk or recorder of the 
 statutory city, shall thereupon be filed for record in the 
 office of the county recorder of each county in which the real 
 estate covered by the plat is located.  

    After such a resolution has been adopted and a certified 
 copy thereof recorded, the plat referred to therein shall 
 thereafter be known and designated by the name specified in the 
 resolution and all real estate embraced in the plat may 
 thereafter be conveyed by reference to the name of the plat as 
 changed or by reference to the name of the plat before its name 
 was changed as the grantor may prefer.  

    HIST: (8242-1, 8242-2, 8242-3) 1927 c 31 s 1-3; 1973 c 123 art 
 5 s 7; 1976 c 181 s 2 

     505.08 Preparation of plat; filing; certification; fees; 
  penalties. 

    Subdivision 1.    Sizes, sheets, copies.  All plats 
 shall be of either of two standard sizes measuring 20 by 30 or 
 30 by 40 inches from outer edge to outer edge.  A border line 
 shall be placed one-half inch inside the outer edges of the plat 
 on the top, bottom, and right hand side of the plat; a border 
 line shall be placed two inches inside the outer edge on the 
 left hand side of the plat.  A north arrow and the scale of the 
 plat shall be shown on the plat, which scale shall be of such 
 dimension that the plat may be easily interpreted.  A plat shall 
 consist of one or more sheets, and if more than one sheet, the 
 sheets shall be numbered progressively.  Two or more identical 
 copies of each plat shall be prepared in black on white mat 
 surface photographic card stock with double cloth back mounting, 
 or material of equal quality. One plat shall be labeled 
 "Official Plat" and each other copy shall be labeled "copy."  
 One exact transparent reproducible copy shall be prepared, by a 
 reproduction print on linen tracing cloth by a photographic 
 process, or on material of equal quality.  Every official plat 
 when duly certified, signed, witnessed, and acknowledged, as 
 provided in section 505.03, shall be filed in the office of the 
 county recorder, together with an exact copy and an exact 
 transparent reproducible copy thereof.  When the plat includes 
 both registered and nonregistered land, the official plat, and 
 the exact transparent reproducible copy together with two exact 
 copies shall be filed with the county recorder.  The official 
 plat and said transparent reproducible copy shall be placed 
 under the direct supervision of the county recorder and open to 
 inspection only in the presence of the county recorder or the 
 recorder's representative.  Upon request of the county auditor 
 of the county wherein the land is situated, the county recorder 
 shall cause a reproduction copy of the official plat, or of the 
 exact reproducible copy, to be made and filed with such county 
 auditor, at the expense of the county. 

    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 in the manner 
 in which certified copies of records are issued in the 
 recorder's office, and the copy thereof shall be bound in a 
 proper volume for the use of the general public and anyone shall 
 have access to and may inspect such certified copy at their 
 pleasure.  When the plat includes both registered and 
 nonregistered land two copies thereof shall be so certified and 
 bound, one 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 and bound shall be provided 
 for general public use in those counties wherein the office 
 quarters of the county recorder and registrar of titles are one 
 and the same.  When the copy, or any part thereof, shall become 
 unintelligible from use or wear or otherwise, at the request of 
 the county recorder it shall be the duty of the county surveyor 
 to make a reproduction copy of the official plat, or the exact 
 transparent reproducible copy under the direct supervision of 
 the county recorder, who shall compare the copy, certify that it 
 is a correct copy thereof, by proper certificate as above set 
 forth, and it shall be bound in the volume, and under the page, 
 and in the place of the discarded copy.  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.  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 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. 

    Subd. 2a.    Counties with microfilm.  In counties 
 having microfilm 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 provisions of 
 subdivisions 1 and 2 to the contrary, no other copies of the 
 plat need be filed. 

    Subd. 3.    Premature reference to plat; forfeiture.  
 Any person who shall dispose of or lease any land included in a 
 plat by reference to the plat before the same is recorded, shall 
 forfeit to the county $100 for each lot, or part of a lot, so 
 disposed of or leased; and any official, land surveyor, or 
 person whose duty it is to comply with any of the provisions of 
 this chapter, shall forfeit not less than $100 for each month 
 during which compliance is delayed.  All forfeitures under this 
 chapter shall be recovered in an action brought in the name of 
 the county.  Notwithstanding any provisions of this subdivision 
 to the contrary, this subdivision shall not apply to an offer to 
 sell or lease a unit in a proposed common interest community as 
 defined in chapter 515B. 

    HIST: (8243) 1913 c 101 s 1; 1959 c 339 s 3; 1967 c 580 s 4; 
 1976 c 6 s 1; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1978 c 499 s 1; 1985 c 281 s 13; 
 1986 c 444; 1998 c 324 s 9; 1999 c 11 art 3 s 19; 2000 c 497 s 3; 2005 c 
 136 art 14 s 8 

     505.09 County board controls plats outside 
  municipalities. 

    Subdivision 1.    Platting; laying of public ways.  The county 
 board of any county shall have 
 power to control and regulate the platting of subdivision of 
 land and the laying out of streets and other public ways without 
 the boundaries of municipalities.  

    Subd. 1a.   Town board preapproval.  The board shall not 
 approve any plat of land lying in a town which has appointed a 
 planning and zoning commission unless the town board approves 
 the plat and the laying of streets and other public ways shown 
 on it.  The approval shall be endorsed on the plat and signed by 
 the chair of the town board.  

    Subd. 2.    Street width, parking places.  The county 
 board may adopt regulations concerning the width of streets and 
 establishment of public parking places with which plats must 
 conform before approval.  

    HIST: (8243-1) 1929 c 225 s 1; 1947 c 185 s 1; 1949 c 665 s 1; 
 1986 c 444; 1989 c 9 s 4 

     505.10 Major street plan.  

    In order to exercise the power conferred under sections 
 505.09 to 505.13, the board of county commissioners shall 
 prepare a comprehensive major street plan of the district 
 involved, which plan shall be designated and adopted as the 
 official major street plan of the areas adjoining the city of 
 ....................  Such plan may, from time to time, be 
 amended, extended, or amplified.  In the preparation of the 
 major street plan and in the administration of the powers herein 
 conferred, the board of county commissioners may avail itself of 
 the assistance of the city planning commission of the city of 
 the first class adjoining the areas involved.  

    HIST: (8243-2) 1929 c 225 s 2 

     505.11 Board to make regulations.  

    In exercising the powers herein conferred the board of 
 county commissioners shall adopt regulations governing the 
 platting of subdivision of lands within the areas designated.  
 Such regulations may provide for the reasonable coordination of 
 location and dimension of streets and boulevards and the 
 location of utilities to be contained therein, the minimum 
 width, depth, and area of lots and the distance of the front 
 building line from the streets in residence neighborhoods, the 
 extent of the grading and drainage of streets to be required as 
 a condition precedent to the approval of plats of subdivisions.  
 No grades shall be established or required by such regulations 
 which would cause a material damage to the land within the area 
 sought to be subdivided.  

    HIST: (8243-3) 1929 c 225 s 3 

     505.12 Powers additional.  

    The powers herein conferred upon the board of county 
 commissioners shall be construed as an addition to existing 
 powers and not as an amendment to or a repeal thereof and shall 
 be supplemental to and shall not set aside the jurisdiction over 
 plats of subdivisions now exercised by the governing bodies of 
 statutory cities and municipalities located in areas within the 
 scope of sections 505.09 to 505.13; provided, that upon the 
 failure of the governing body of such statutory city or 
 municipality and the board of county commissioners to 
 concurrently approve and adopt a plat of subdivision within 60 
 days of the time or presentation to each respective authority 
 the approval of the board of county commissioners shall be 
 final.  The board of county commissioners may extend the time 
 for concurrent approval with respect to individual plats of 
 subdivisions.  

    HIST: (8243-4) 1929 c 225 s 4; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7 

     505.13 Application; limitation.  

    Nothing in sections 505.09 to 505.13 shall amend, repeal, 
 or affect Special Laws 1889, chapter 178.  

    HIST: (8243-5) 1929 c 225 s 5 

     505.14 Vacation. 

    Upon the application of the owner of land included in any 
 plat, and upon proof that all taxes assessed against the land 
 have been paid, and the notice hereinafter provided for given, 
 the district court may vacate or alter all, or any part, of the 
 plat, and adjudge the title to all streets, alleys, and public 
 grounds to be in the persons entitled thereto; but streets or 
 alleys connecting separate plats or lying between blocks or lots 
 or providing access for the public to any public water, shall 
 not be vacated between the lots, blocks, or plats as are not 
 also vacated, unless it appears that the street or alley or part 
 thereof sought to be vacated is useless for the purpose for 
 which it was laid out.  If any part of a street, alley, or 
 public ground proposed for vacation terminates at, abuts upon, 
 or is adjacent to any public water, the petitioner shall serve 
 notice of the petition by certified mail upon the commissioner 
 of natural resources at least 60 days before the term at which 
 it shall be heard.  The notice under this subdivision creates a 
 right of intervention by the commissioner of natural resources.  
 The petitioner shall cause two weeks published and posted notice 
 of such application to be given, the last publication to be at 
 least ten days before the term at which it shall be heard; and 
 the petitioner shall also serve personally, or cause to be 
 served personally, notice of the application, at least ten days 
 before the term at which the application shall be heard, upon 
 the mayor of the city, the president of the statutory city, or 
 the chair of the town board of the town where the land is 
 situated.  The court shall hear all persons owning or occupying 
 land that would be affected by the proposed vacation, and if, in 
 the judgment of the court, the same would be damaged, the court 
 may determine the amount of the damage and direct its payment by 
 the applicant before the vacation or alteration shall take 
 effect.  A certified copy of the order of the court shall be 
 filed with the county auditor, and recorded by the county 
 recorder.  The district court shall not vacate or alter any 
 street, alley, or public ground dedicated to the public use in 
 or by any plat in any city or town organized under a charter or 
 special law which provides a method of procedure for the 
 vacation of streets and public grounds by the municipal 
 authorities of the city or town. 

    HIST: (8244) RL s 3369; 1909 c 503 s 1; 1917 c 38 s 1; 1973 c 
 123 art 5 s 7; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 183 s 7; 2005 
 c 117 s 3 

     505.15 Certain plats validated. 

    In all cases where the record owner of real estate in this 
 state has heretofore conveyed the same, or any part thereof, by 
 express reference in the instrument of such conveyance to a plat 
 of such real estate on file in the office of the county recorder 
 in the county in which such real estate is situated, and a plat 
 so referred to in said conveyance is actually of record in such 
 recorder's office at the time when such conveyance is made, such 
 record owner and all persons claiming under such record owner, 
 shall be forever estopped from questioning the validity of such 
 plat, notwithstanding that at the time of the execution and 
 record thereof, title to the premises covered thereby, appears 
 of record to have been in the name of a person other than the 
 person who executed such plat as proprietor of the premises 
 covered thereby, and notwithstanding any irregularity or 
 informality in the execution, acceptance, or record of such 
 plat.  In all such cases such plat shall be deemed and taken to 
 be valid, confirmed, and legalized in all respects as if 
 actually executed and recorded by the persons who appear of 
 record to have been the owners of the premises covered thereby 
 at the time of the execution and record thereof. 

    HIST: (8245) 1905 c 129 s 1; 1976 c 181 s 2 

     505.16 Application.  

    Section 505.15 shall apply to all plats heretofore recorded 
 of any townsite and to any addition to any townsite and to any 
 addition to any town or city within the state.  

    HIST: (8246) 1905 c 129 s 2; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7 

     505.165 Certain plats executed or filed before January 
  1, 1915. 

    Subdivision 1.    Corrective plat.  That in all cases 
 where the plats, or what purports to be plats, of any portion of 
 the lands contained within any town or city of this state of 
 additions or subdivisions thereof, which have been executed and 
 filed in an office of any county recorder previous to January 1, 
 1915, fail to identify or correctly describe the land to be so 
 platted or to show correctly upon their face the tract of land 
 intended or purported to be platted thereby, or any such plats 
 are defective by reason of the plat and the description of the 
 land purported to be so platted thereby being inconsistent or 
 incorrect, or there exists a defect in the execution of said 
 plats on the part of the grantors thereof, the governing board 
 or council of the municipality containing land so platted or 
 purported to be so platted may authorize, within six months from 
 the passage of Laws 1947, chapter 48, referring by the record 
 book and page of such plat or plats in the office of the county 
 recorder to the plat or plats to be corrected, the making of one 
 or more plats which shall correctly show on the face thereof and 
 by description of the land intended to be platted, which plat or 
 plats may vary from the original plats in description as to lots 
 and blocks to suit the best purpose and secure the best results, 
 and such plat or plats, in a declaration thereon, shall recite 
 such resolution and shall identify each separate tract of land 
 described therein with such tract of land in the purported plat 
 or plats intended to be corrected thereby, and shall be 
 certified by the proper officers of the municipality as to 
 authorization and by an engineer or surveyor as to correctness, 
 and the signatures of such persons shall be acknowledged in like 
 manner as a deed.  

    Subd. 2.    Recording; prima facie evidence.  Such plat 
 or plats when so certified and acknowledged may be filed in the 
 office of the county recorder and the declaration therein may be 
 recorded at length in a "Book of Plat Certificates"; and when so 
 filed and recorded such plat or plats and declaration together 
 with the record thereof shall be prima facie evidence in all 
 matters shown or stated therein as to the lands covered thereby. 

    Subd. 3.    Limitation on application.  This section 
 shall not apply to a city whose charter provides for official 
 supervision of plats by municipal officers, commission or board. 

    HIST: 1947 c 48 s 1-3; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1976 c 181 s 2 

     505.17 Certain plats and certificates prima facie 
  evidence.  

    All certificates heretofore made and recorded under the 
 provisions of Laws 1891, chapter 25, the same being "An act 
 relative to plats of towns and cities in this state and of 
 additions to, and subdivisions thereof and the correction and 
 legalization of the same," or the record of such certificates, 
 together with the plats to which they respectively refer, shall 
 be prima facie evidence in all cases as to the lands covered by 
 these plats.  

    HIST: (8246-1) 1907 c 53 s 1 

     505.173 Correction of plats. 

    Subdivision 1.    Certain defects.  In all cases where 
 the plats, or what purports to be plats, of any portion of the 
 lands contained within any additions to or subdivisions of any 
 town or city, situated in any county having less than 15 full 
 and fractional congressional townships, having less than 15,000 
 inhabitants according to the 1940 federal census, and having an 
 assessed value of more than $7,500,000 and less than $8,500,000, 
 exclusive of money and credits which have been executed and 
 filed in an office of any county recorder previous to January 1, 
 1915, (1) fail to identify or correctly describe the land to be 
 so platted or to show correctly upon their face the tract of 
 land intended or purported to be platted thereby, or (2) are 
 defective by reason of the plat and the description of the land 
 purported to be so platted thereby being inconsistent or 
 incorrect, or (3) there exists a defect in the execution of said 
 plats on the part of the grantors thereof, the governing board 
 or council of the municipality containing land so platted or 
 purported to be so platted may authorize, within two years from 
 April 21, 1951, referring by the record book and page of such 
 plat or plats in the office of the county recorder to the plat 
 or plats to be corrected, the making of one or more plats which 
 shall correctly show on the face thereof and by description of 
 the land intended to be platted, which plat or plats may vary 
 from the original plats in description as to lots and blocks to 
 suit the best purpose and secure the best results.  Such plat or 
 plats, in a declaration thereon, shall recite such resolution 
 and shall identify each separate tract of land described therein 
 with such tract of land in the purported plat or plats intended 
 to be corrected thereby, and shall be certified by the proper 
 officers of the municipality as to authorization and by an 
 engineer or surveyor as to correctness, and the signatures of 
 such persons shall be acknowledged in like manner as a deed.  

    Subd. 2.    Corrected plat to be prima facie evidence.  
 Such plat or plats when so certified and acknowledged may be 
 filed in the office of the county recorder and the declaration 
 therein may be recorded at length in a "Book of Plat 
 Certificates"; and when so filed and recorded such plat or plats 
 and declaration together with the record thereof shall be prima 
 facie evidence in all matters shown or stated therein as to the 
 lands covered thereby. 

    Subd. 3.    Application to certain cities.  This 
 section shall not apply to a city whose charter provides for 
 official supervision of plats by municipal officers, commission 
 or board. 

    HIST: 1949 c 557 s 1; 1951 c 597 s 1; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 
 1976 c 181 s 2; 1988 c 719 art 5 s 84; 1989 c 329 art 13 s 20; 
 1990 c 480 art 9 s 24 

     505.174 Surveyor's certificate of own plat error; 
  correction.  

    In any case where a land plat or subdivision, or what 
 purports to be a land plat or subdivision, has been executed and 
 filed in the office of the county recorder of the county where 
 the land is situated, which fails to identify or correctly 
 describe the land to be so platted or subdivided, or to show 
 correctly upon its face the tract of land intended or purported 
 to be platted or subdivided thereby or is defective by reason of 
 the plat or subdivision and the description of the land 
 purported to be so platted or subdivided thereby being 
 inconsistent or incorrect, the registered surveyor who prepared 
 such plat or subdivision may execute a certificate stating the 
 nature of the error, omission or defect and stating the correct 
 information to correct such error, supply such omission or cure 
 such defect, referring, by correct book and page, to such plat 
 or subdivision and designating its name, if there is a name.  
 Such certificate shall be dated and signed by such registered 
 surveyor.  

    HIST: 1955 c 472 s 1; 1976 c 181 s 2 

     505.175 Certificates by other surveyors.  

    Whenever the registered surveyor who prepared such plat or 
 subdivision shall not be available, or whenever such plat or 
 subdivision shall not have been prepared by a registered 
 surveyor, such certificate may be executed by any registered 
 surveyor, but shall state the reason why the registered surveyor 
 who prepared the plat or subdivision is not available, or, if 
 the plat or subdivision was not prepared by a registered 
 surveyor, shall state that fact.  

    HIST: 1955 c 472 s 2 

     505.176 Approval of certificates; filing and recording.  

    When the certificate has been approved by the governing 
 body of the area involved and a certificate stating that said 
 plat certificate has been approved by the governing body signed 
 by the clerk of said body is attached to said plat certificate, 
 the county recorder of the county in which the land so platted 
 or subdivided is located shall accept each such certificate for 
 filing and recording in the recorder's office upon payment of a 
 fee therefor commensurate with the length of the certificate.  
 Neither witnesses nor an acknowledgment shall be required on any 
 such certificate, but it shall be signed by the registered 
 surveyor and shall state following the signature that the 
 surveyor is a registered surveyor in the state of Minnesota.  
 The county recorder shall make suitable notations on the record 
 of the plat or subdivision to which such certificate refers to 
 direct the attention of anyone examining such plat or 
 subdivision to the record of such certificate.  

    HIST: 1955 c 472 s 3; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1986 c 444 

     505.177 Certificate as prima facie evidence.  

    A certificate filed pursuant to sections 505.174 to 505.177 
 shall be prima facie evidence of the statements appearing 
 therein and shall be received in evidence for that purpose.  No 
 such certificate shall have the effect of destroying or changing 
 vested rights acquired based upon an existing plat or 
 subdivision despite errors or defects therein or omissions 
 therefrom.  

    HIST: 1955 c 472 s 4 

     505.178 Validation of certain plats. 

    Subdivision 1.    Court order to record.  The county 
 board, county recorder, county treasurer, county attorney or 
 county auditor, or any person having an interest in a parcel of 
 land lying within an area appearing on a plat which is on file 
 in the office of the county recorder, but which is not 
 officially recorded, or a plat which is missing from the records 
 of the county recorder, may petition the district court of the 
 county for an order providing for the recording of such plat.  

    Subd. 2.    Elements of proof.  If the court finds from 
 the evidence adduced: 

    (1) That such plat was filed with the county recorder more 
 than 40 years prior to May 23, 1965; 

    (2) That in the case of a missing plat, the county recorder 
 has made a diligent search for such missing plat but has been 
 unable to find it; and 

    (3) That the plat proposed as a replacement of the missing 
 plat is a true and correct reproduction of the missing plat; or 

    That the plat other than a missing plat has been on file in 
 the office of the county recorder for more than 40 years prior 
 to May 23, 1965, but was not officially recorded, the court 
 shall make its findings and order accordingly and direct the 
 court administrator to certify upon the said plat that it is 
 entitled to record in the office of the county recorder pursuant 
 to the provisions of this statute. 

    HIST: 1965 c 640 s 1; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1980 c 509 s 175; 
 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82 

     505.179 Use of plat.  

    A plat so certified pursuant to order of the court shall be 
 entitled to record and may be used for any purpose in like 
 manner as a plat qualified under section 505.177.  

    HIST: 1965 c 640 s 2 

     505.1791 Fees.  

    Any fees incurred in executing the provisions of sections 
 505.178 to 505.1791 shall be paid by the county if the county 
 officer involved receives fees instead of a fixed salary paid by 
 the county, and if the county officer involved is paid a fixed 
 salary, no such fees shall be charged.  

    HIST: 1965 c 640 s 3 

     505.1792 Streets, roads, highways and rights-of-way. 

    Subdivision 1.    Informal; for information.  In order 
 to give supplemental information to the public as to the 
 location of streets, county roads, county state-aid highways, 
 town roads, and other transportation corridors, and the 
 right-of-way thereof, the governing body of any city, town, or 
 county may file for record in the office of the county recorder 
 and the registrar of titles of said county such maps or plats 
 showing such information as the governing body shall determine 
 necessary.  The map or plat shall be subscribed by the mayor or 
 chair of the governing body and the county surveyor, together 
 with a certified copy of the resolution of the governing body 
 setting forth the necessity for said plat, and shall be entitled 
 to record without compliance with the provisions of this 
 chapter.  Any amendments, alterations, or vacations of such maps 
 or plats so filed may be entitled to record in like manner. 

    Subd. 2.    Requirements.  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. 

    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. 

    Subd. 3.    When street plat prohibited.  A city or town 
 may not file a street plat for any street that is a county road 
 or state highway, or carried designation as a county road or 
 state highway at the time the plat is offered for filing. 

    Subd. 4.    Not a title transfer.  Maps or plats filed 
 for record under this section shall not operate of themselves to 
 transfer title to the property described but such maps or plats 
 shall be for descriptive purposes and shall be notice that the 
 municipality claims an interest in said lands. 

    HIST: Ex1967 c 58 s 1; 1969 c 220 s 1; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 
 1976 c 181 s 2; 1978 c 499 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 269 s 49 

     505.1793 Proposed local right-of-way acquisitions; 
  filing. 

    Subdivision 1.    Filing and recording.  To facilitate 
 the acquisition of right-of-way required for public 
 transportation and public utility and drainage easements, the 
 governing body of a statutory or home rule charter city or town 
 may file for record in the office of the county recorder or 
 registrar of titles in the county in which right-of-way is to be 
 acquired, orders or resolutions, as required by law, in the form 
 of maps or plats showing right-of-way by course distance, 
 bearing and arc length, and other rights or interests in land to 
 be acquired as the governing body determines necessary.  The map 
 or plat must show by outline all tracts and parcels of land 
 affected by the proposed acquisition.  The map or plat must be 
 subscribed by the mayor or chair of the governing body and 
 prepared and certified by a licensed land surveyor.  The 
 certified map or plat is entitled to record without compliance 
 with chapter 505. 

    Subd. 2.    Changes in maps or plats.  Amendments, 
 alterations, rescissions, or vacations of orders, resolutions, 
 maps, or plats so filed are entitled to record in the same 
 manner.  The recorder or registrar may make suitable notations 
 on the appropriate map or plat affected by an amendment, 
 alteration, rescission, or vacation to direct the attention of 
 anyone examining the record to the proper map or plat. 

    Subd. 3.    Errors; correcting certificate.  If an error 
 on a map or plat incorrectly defines the intended acquisition, 
 but does not affect rights of interests to be acquired, a 
 certificate may be prepared stating what the defect is, what the 
 correct information is, and which map or plat the certificate 
 affects.  The certificate must be signed by a licensed land 
 surveyor and subscribed by the mayor or chair of the governing 
 body.  The certificate must be filed for record in the office of 
 the county recorder or registrar of titles in the county where 
 the map or plat is filed.  When filed, the certificate amends 
 the map or plat.  The recorder or registrar may make suitable 
 notations on the map or plat to which the certificate refers to 
 direct the attention of anyone examining the map or plat to the 
 record of the certificate. 

    Subd. 4.    No effect on title.  Maps or plats filed for 
 record under this section do not operate of themselves to 
 transfer title to the property described and designated by 
 appropriate parcel number, but the maps or plats are to be used 
 for delineation purposes. 

    Subd. 5.    Description by reference.  Land acquisition 
 by the governing body for public transportation and public 
 utility and drainage easements by instrument of conveyance or by 
 eminent domain proceedings may refer to the map or plat and 
 parcel number, together with delineation of the parcel, as the 
 only manner of description necessary for the acquisition. 

    HIST: 1990 c 420 s 1; 1998 c 324 s 9 

COORDINATES

     505.18 Minnesota coordinate system. 

    The system of plane coordinates which has been established 
 by the National Ocean Survey/National Geodetic Survey, formerly 
 the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey or its successors, 
 for defining and stating the geographic positions or locations 
 of points on the surface of the earth within the state of 
 Minnesota is hereafter to be known and designated as the 
 "Minnesota Coordinate System of 1927 and the Minnesota 
 Coordinate System of 1983." 

    For the purpose of the use of this system the state is 
 divided into a "North Zone," a "Central Zone," and a "South 
 Zone." 

    The area now included in the following counties shall 
 constitute the North Zone:  Beltrami, Clearwater, Cook, Itasca, 
 Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, 
 Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, and Saint 
 Louis. 

    The area now included in the following counties shall 
 constitute the Central Zone:  Aitkin, Becker, Benton, Carlton, 
 Cass, Chisago, Clay, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Isanti, 
 Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Stearns, 
 Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, and Wilkin. 

    The area now included in the following counties shall 
 constitute the South Zone:  Anoka, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, 
 Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, 
 Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Jackson, 
 Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, 
 Martin, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, 
 Pipestone, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Scott, 
 Sherburne, Sibley, Steele, Swift, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, 
 Watonwan, Winona, Wright, and Yellow Medicine.  

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 1; 1985 c 299 s 32 

     505.19 Zones; land descriptions. 

    As established for use in the North Zone, the Minnesota 
 Coordinate System of 1927 or the Minnesota Coordinate System of 
 1983 shall be named, and in any land description in which it is 
 used it shall be designated, the "Minnesota Coordinate System of 
 1927, North Zone or the Minnesota Coordinate System of 1983, 
 North Zone."  

    As established for use in the Central Zone, the Minnesota 
 Coordinate System of 1927 or the Minnesota Coordinate System of 
 1983 shall be named, and in any land description in which it is 
 used it shall be designated, the "Minnesota Coordinate System of 
 1927, Central Zone or the Minnesota Coordinate System of 1983, 
 Central Zone."  

    As established for use in the South Zone, the Minnesota 
 Coordinate System of 1927 or the Minnesota Coordinate System of 
 1983 shall be named, and in any land description in which it is 
 used it shall be designated, the "Minnesota Coordinate System of 
 1927, South Zone or the Minnesota Coordinate System of 1983, 
 South Zone."  

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 2; 1985 c 299 s 33 

     505.20 X- and y-coordinates. 

    The plane coordinate values for a point on the earth's 
 surface, to be used to express the geographic position or 
 location of such point in the appropriate zone of this system, 
 shall consist of two distances, expressed in U.S. Survey feet 
 and decimals of a foot when using the Minnesota Coordinate 
 System of 1927 and expressed in meters and decimals of a meter 
 when using the Minnesota Coordinate System of 1983.  One of 
 these distances, to be known as the "x-coordinate," shall give 
 the position in an east-and-west direction; the other, to be 
 known as the "y-coordinate," shall give the position in a 
 north-and-south direction.  These coordinates shall be made to 
 depend upon and conform to plane rectangular coordinate values 
 for the monumented horizontal control stations of the North 
 American Horizontal Geodetic Control Network as published by the 
 National Ocean Survey/National Geodetic Survey (NOS/NGS) or its 
 successors and whose plane coordinates have been computed on the 
 systems defined in this chapter.  The station may be used for 
 establishing a survey connection to either Minnesota Coordinate 
 System, 1927 or 1983. 

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 3; 1985 c 299 s 34 

     505.21 Reference to zones.  

    When any tract of land to be defined by a single 
 description extends from one into another of the above 
 coordinate zones, the positions of all points on its boundaries 
 may be referred to either of the two zones, the zone which is 
 used being specifically named in the description.  

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 4 

     505.22 Minnesota coordinate systems defined. 

    (a) For purposes of more precisely defining the Minnesota 
 Coordinate System of 1927, the following definition by the 
 National Ocean Survey/National Geodetic Survey is adopted: 

    The Minnesota Coordinate System of 1927, North Zone, is a 
 Lambert conformal conic projection of the Clarke spheroid of 
 1866, having standard parallels at north latitudes 47 degrees 02 
 minutes and 48 degrees 38 minutes, along which parallels the 
 scale shall be exact.  The origin of coordinates is at the 
 intersection of the meridian 93 degrees 06 minutes west of 
 Greenwich and the parallel 46 degrees 30 minutes north latitude. 
 This origin is given the coordinates:  x equals 2,000,000 feet 
 and y equals 0 feet.  

    The Minnesota Coordinate System of 1927, Central Zone, is a 
 Lambert conformal conic projection of the Clarke spheroid of 
 1866, having standard parallels at north latitudes 45 degrees 37 
 minutes and 47 degrees 03 minutes, along which parallels the 
 scale shall be exact.  The origin of coordinates is at the 
 intersection of the meridian 94 degrees 15 minutes west of 
 Greenwich and the parallel 45 degrees 00 minutes north latitude. 
 This origin is given the coordinates:  x equals 2,000,000 feet 
 and y equals 0 feet.  

    The Minnesota Coordinate System of 1927, South Zone, is a 
 Lambert conformal conic projection of the Clarke spheroid of 
 1866, having standard parallels at north latitudes 43 degrees 47 
 minutes and 45 degrees 13 minutes, along which parallels the 
 scale shall be exact.  The origin of coordinates is at the 
 intersection of the meridian 94 degrees 00 minutes west of 
 Greenwich with the parallel 43 degrees 00 minutes north 
 latitude, such origin being given the coordinates:  x equals 
 2,000,000 feet and y equals 0 feet.  

    (b) For purposes of more precisely defining the Minnesota 
 Coordinate System of 1983, the following definition by the 
 National Ocean Survey/National Geodetic Survey is adopted: 

    The Minnesota Coordinate System of 1983, North Zone, is a 
 Lambert conformal conic projection of the North American 
 Geocentric Datum of 1983, having standard parallels at north 
 latitudes 47 degrees 02 minutes and 48 degrees 38 minutes, along 
 which parallels the scale shall be exact.  The origin of 
 coordinates is at the intersection of the meridian 93 degrees 06 
 minutes west of Greenwich with the parallel 46 degrees 30 
 minutes north latitude.  This origin is given the coordinates:  
 x equals 800,000 meters and y equals 100,000 meters. 

    The Minnesota Coordinate System of 1983, Central Zone, is a 
 Lambert conformal conic projection of the North American 
 Geocentric Datum of 1983, having standard parallels at north 
 latitudes 45 degrees 37 minutes and 47 degrees 03 minutes, along 
 which parallels the scale shall be exact.  The origin of 
 coordinates is at the intersection of the meridian 94 degrees 15 
 minutes west of Greenwich with the parallel 45 degrees 00 
 minutes north latitude.  This origin is given the coordinates:  
 x equals 800,000 meters and y equals 100,000 meters.  

    The Minnesota Coordinate System of 1983, South Zone, is a 
 Lambert conformal conic projection of the North American 
 Geocentric Datum of 1983, having standard parallels at North 
 latitudes 43 degrees 47 minutes and 45 degrees 13 minutes, along 
 which parallels the scale shall be exact.  The origin of 
 coordinates is at the intersection of the meridian 94 degrees 00 
 minutes west of Greenwich with the parallel 43 degrees 00 
 minutes north latitude.  This origin is given the coordinates:  
 x equals 800,000 meters and y equals 100,000 meters. 

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 5; 1985 c 299 s 35 

     505.23 Where coordinates recorded. 

    No coordinates based on the Minnesota Coordinate System, 
 purporting to define the position of a point on a land boundary, 
 shall be presented to be recorded in any public land records or 
 deed records unless such point is within one-half mile of a 
 horizontal control station established in conformity with the 
 standards prescribed in section 505.20; provided that said 
 one-half mile limitation may be modified by a duly authorized 
 state agency to meet local conditions.  

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 6; 1985 c 299 s 36 

     505.24 Limitation of use. 

    The use of the term "Minnesota Coordinate System of 1927, 
 North, Central, or South Zone or Minnesota Coordinate System of 
 1983, North, Central, or South Zone" on any map, report of 
 survey, or other document, shall be limited to coordinates based 
 on the Minnesota Coordinate System as defined in this chapter.  

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 7; 1985 c 299 s 37 

     505.25 When use of coordinates supplemental.  

    Whenever coordinates based on the Minnesota Coordinate 
 System are used to describe any tract of land which in the same 
 document is also described by reference to any subdivision, 
 line, or corner of the United States public land surveys, the 
 description by coordinates shall be construed as supplemental to 
 the basic description of such subdivision, line, or corner 
 contained in the official plats and field notes filed of record, 
 and in the event of any conflict the description by reference to 
 the subdivision, line, or corner of the United States public 
 land surveys shall prevail over the description by coordinates.  

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 8 

     505.26 Description not exclusive.  

    Nothing contained in sections 505.18 to 505.26 shall 
 require any purchaser or mortgagee to rely on a description, any 
 part of which depends exclusively upon the Minnesota coordinate 
 system.  

    HIST: 1945 c 165 s 9 

  505.27 Renumbered 505.173 

     505.28 Last use of 1927 coordinate system. 

    The Minnesota coordinate system of 1927 must not be used 
 after December 31, 1992.  The Minnesota coordinate system of 
 1983 is the sole coordinate system that may be used after that 
 date.  

    HIST: 1985 c 299 s 38 

SURVEYS

     505.31 Entry upon land; notice.  

    It is lawful for any surveyor to enter upon any land for 
 the purpose of locating existing survey or reference monuments 
 or landmarks, provided, however, such surveyor shall be 
 responsible to the landowner for any and all damages as a result 
 of such entry, and no surveyor may enter upon any land unless 
 first notifying the owner or occupant of the intended entry for 
 such purpose.  

    HIST: 1959 c 322 s 1; 1986 c 444 

     505.32 Surveyor's number on new evidence; old evidence 
  to be left. 

    Any monuments or permanent evidence of the survey shall 
 have inscribed thereon the registration number of the land 
 surveyor making the survey and no previously existing survey or 
 reference monuments or landmarks evidencing property lines or 
 corner posts shall be removed or destroyed by the surveyor of 
 such new survey.  

    HIST: 1959 c 322 s 2; 1967 c 580 s 5 

MONUMENTS; PENALTY

     505.33 Violations; penalty. 

    Any person who intentionally removes, destroys, or defaces 
 a monument lawfully erected is guilty of a misdemeanor. 

    HIST: 1990 c 396 s 2