A cadastre is a comprehensive register or database of land ownership, boundaries, and property-related information within a specific jurisdiction. It includes detailed records of land parcels, their boundaries, dimensions, and ownership rights, as well as information about land use, taxation, and legal restrictions. Cadastres are typically maintained by government authorities, such as land registry offices or cadastral agencies, to facilitate land administration, property taxation, urban planning, and land management. The cadastre serves as a valuable tool for landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to accurately identify and manage land assets, resolve property disputes, and support sustainable development initiatives.
A cadastre is a comprehensive register of land ownership and property boundaries within a specific jurisdiction. It provides detailed information about the size, location, and ownership of each parcel of land. The purpose of a cadastre is to establish legal certainty and facilitate land administration and management. It is typically maintained by government authorities and is used for various purposes, including taxation, land use planning, and property transactions.
A cadastre (also spelt cadaster), using a cadastral survey or cadastral map, is a comprehensive register of the metes-and-bounds real property of a country. A cadastre commonly includes details of the ownership, the tenure, the precise location (some include GPS coordinates), the dimensions (and area), the cultivations if rural and the value of individual parcels of land. Many countries around the world use cadastres, some of them in conjunction with other records like a title register.
In most countries, legal systems have developed around the original administrative systems and use the cadastre as a means of defining the dimensions and location of parcels described in legal documentation. This leads to the use of the cadastre as a fundamental source of data in disputes and lawsuits between landowners.
In the United States, Cadastral Survey within the Bureau of Land Management is responsible for maintaining records of all public lands. Such surveys often required detailed investigation of the history of land use, legal accounts and other documents.
Etymology
The word “cadastre” came into English by way of French and Italian, variously attributed to the Late Latin capitastrum, a register of the poll tax, and the Greek κατάστιχον [katastikhon], a list or register, from κατά στίχον [kata stikhon], literally, “down the line”, in the sense of “line by line” along with the directions and distances between the corners mentioned and marked by monuments in the metes and bounds.
The word forms the adjective cadastral, used in public administration, primarily for ownership and taxation purposes. The terminology used for cadastral divisions may include counties, parishes, ridings, hundreds, sections, lots, blocks and city blocks.
Cadastral Surveys
Cadastral surveys are used to document land ownership by the production of documents, diagrams, sketches, plans (plats in the USA), charts, and maps. They were originally used to ensure reliable facts for land valuation and taxation. An example from early England is the Domesday Book. Napoleon established a comprehensive cadastral system for France, which is regarded as the fore-runner of most modern versions. Cadastral survey information is often a base element in geographic and land information systems used to assess and manage land and built infrastructure. Such systems are also employed on a variety of other tasks, for example, to track long-term changes over time for geological or ecological studies, where land tenure is a significant part of the scenario.
Cadastral Map
A cadastral map is a map showing the boundaries and ownership of land parcels. Some cadastral maps show additional details, such as survey district names, unique identifying numbers for parcels, certificates of title numbers, positions of existing structures, section and/or lot numbers and their respective areas, adjoining and adjacent street names, selected boundary dimensions and references to prior maps.
A cadastre is a comprehensive and systematic register of land parcels, which includes information about their ownership, boundaries, and other relevant details.
A cadastre plays a crucial role in land administration and management. It helps establish legal ownership, facilitates property transactions, supports land-use planning, and enables efficient taxation and revenue collection.
The responsibility for maintaining the cadastre varies from country to country. In some cases, it may be managed by a government agency, while in others, it could be the responsibility of local municipalities or land registry offices.
Access to cadastre information is typically available to the public, although the level of detail may vary. You can usually obtain information by visiting the relevant government office or accessing online platforms provided by the responsible authority.
Yes, the information contained in the cadastre can be used as evidence in legal disputes related to land ownership, boundaries, or other matters. However, it is important to consult with legal professionals to understand the specific requirements and procedures for using cadastre information as evidence.
Yes, the cadastre is regularly updated to reflect changes in land ownership, boundaries, and other relevant information. These updates are typically carried out by the responsible authority based on legal requirements and procedures.
If you believe that the information in the cadastre is incorrect or inaccurate, you may have the right to dispute it. The specific procedures for disputing cadastre information may vary depending on the jurisdiction, so it is advisable to seek legal advice in such cases.
Yes, the cadastre is often used as a basis for land valuation, especially for taxation or property assessment purposes. However, it is important to note that additional factors and methodologies may be considered in determining the actual value of a property.
Yes, the cadastre is often linked to other land-related systems or databases, such as land registries, zoning databases, or geographic information systems (GIS). This integration allows for better coordination and management of land-related information and services.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 10th April 2024.
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