California Surveyors Forums

I think it's a bad practice since APN's do change. However, I've seen it many times, especially with LLA documents.

I see it quite often, but have never seen it in the description.

Even though APNs change, having it somewhere on the face of the deed shouldn't create any confusion. I have not seen where numbers have been reused, so it shouldn't get confused with another parcel later assigned the same number.

Anyone doing a retracement, if they are going to consider the APN at all, should check the APM that was in effect at the time the deed was executed. But then again, why would a surveyor look to the APN to interpret the description in the deed other than perhaps a quick reference to the APM?

Brian, good to see your still kicking. As a practice we include the APN on our cover sheet so others, Title Co's, Planning etc can understand where they are in the world. Also the statues the recorder has to follow does reguire certian items to record a document, which can be a current APN or a street address. I lost that battle a few years ago. However it is not part of my description, but used as a reference for others.

To clarify:

I see nothing wrong with having APNs on the same sheet as the description, but do not believe that they belong within the body (or preamble) of the description.

Showing the APN on the legal description page . . .say, near the bottom, really helps the user process whatever the description is for.

I definately agree that listing an assessors plat number within the description is pointless.

Little triggers for the user can really be helpful, such as names, APN's etc.
Ive seen so many time, a sale go thru with the wrong legal description.
Naturally when this happens, and when it gets caught, the owners, their attorneys, title people and the President himself take the stand that it MUST be the surveyors fault. . . .and He's gonna pay for this.
So it take an hour of yours or your staffs time to get them back on track.

I find it better to treat the user like a grade schooler so there is no mistake, than to hear their BS later.

Since the legal description is dated, the APN will be for and prior to that date.

Maybe making sure the legal description reads the intent could be a better argument ? Heck I dunno ?

G "Good"

Done it, seen it done all the time, find it a big help,but not as part of the description.

RAM has it pretty close.
Certain county recorders require the APN somewhere in the document, usually on the cover page (page one). They will not accept your deed if there is no APN.
Depending who is preparing the cover sheet, it is helpful to have it elsewhere too, on your description page. It could be part of your title, or near the end.