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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: (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.
History: 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.
History: (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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 1990 c 420 s 1; 1998 c 324 s 9

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.
History: 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."
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 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.
History: 1985 c 299 s 38

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.
History: 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.
History: 1959 c 322 s 2; 1967 c 580 s 5

505.33 VIOLATIONS; PENALTY.
Any person who intentionally removes, destroys, or defaces a monument lawfully erected
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
History: 1990 c 396 s 2