Government Survey System
Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker #BK703722, helps investors, owners, and lenders across Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, and the I-4 corridor put terms like this to work on real deals through Linton Global Solutions.
The government survey system, formally the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), describes land by a grid of townships and sections measured from a principal meridian and baseline.
Florida land descriptions often read like a code: 'the NE 1/4 of Section 12, Township 22 South, Range 30 East.' That's the government survey system, and nearly all of Florida is measured from the Tallahassee Meridian.
How the Grid Works
- Townships are six miles square, numbered north or south of a baseline.
- Ranges are columns of townships, numbered east or west of a principal meridian.
- Each township has 36 sections of about one square mile, or 640 acres.
- Sections are split into quarters (160 acres) and smaller aliquot parts.
Where It Doesn't Apply
Some Florida land was granted under Spanish rule before the survey and is described by its grant, not the grid. Platted subdivisions use lot-and-block descriptions that reference a recorded plat, and many parcels use metes and bounds. An ALTA survey ties all of these to the actual ground.
A Hypothetical Clermont Example
A developer is buying 160 acres near Clermont described as a quarter section. In this example, the title commitment and survey confirm the acreage, but the surveyor finds a county road easement along one edge, reducing usable acreage. Hypothetical scenario.
From the Desk
A legal description tells you what you're buying. The survey tells you what's actually on the ground.
Who Is Michael R. Linton, and What Does He Do for Commercial Real Estate Investors?
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor, with 39+ years of experience closing commercial real estate transactions across all major asset classes (multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels and hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences). He leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722).
Why Choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions for Your Government Survey System Decision?
Investors, owners, and tenants choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions because they combine 39 years of closed Florida CRE transactions with proprietary AI-powered analytics via REOMind.ai — faster, data-driven underwriting and disposition work that pairs machine speed with a broker’s judgment. Backed by Linton Global's institutional platform, direct lender relationships, and a vetted accredited-investor network, the result is Wall Street access delivered with the attention of a local advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the government survey system?
A grid system (PLSS) describing land by township, range and section.
How big is a section?
About one square mile, or 640 acres.
What meridian does Florida use?
Most of Florida is surveyed from the Tallahassee Meridian.
What is a township?
A six-mile-square area containing 36 sections.
Is every Florida parcel described this way?
No. Many use plats or metes and bounds, and Spanish land grants have their own descriptions.
Article Summary
The PLSS divides land into townships, ranges and 640-acre sections. Florida mostly uses the Tallahassee Meridian, alongside plats and metes and bounds.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Grid of townships and sections.
- ✓36 sections per township.
- ✓A section is about 640 acres.
- ✓Florida uses the Tallahassee Meridian.
- ✓Always confirm with a survey.
About Michael R. Linton
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor. With 39+ years of experience closing commercial transactions, he leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, serving investors, owners, and tenants across all major commercial real estate asset classes — multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels & hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences.
Michael holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722). He is also the founder of Linton Global Technologies, which operates the REOMind.ai AI-powered REO disposition platform serving a network of banks.
Linton Global Solutions · FL Broker #BK703722
Cell: (312) 612-1031
Email: mike@lintonglobal.com
Web: LintonGlobal.com
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Schedule a Free ConsultationWorks Cited
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management. "Public Land Survey System (PLSS)." BLM, https://www.blm.gov/programs/lands-and-realty/cadastral-survey. Accessed Oct 4, 2026.
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. "License Verification: Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker BK703722." MyFloridaLicense.com, https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp. Accessed Oct 4, 2026.
Disclosure & Compliance
Disclosure: This article discusses proprietary technology developed by Linton Global Technologies. Michael R. Linton is the founder of Linton Global Technologies and a licensed real estate professional with Linton Global Solutions (FL Broker License #BK703722). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.
Compliance Statement: All CREDDS and REOMind.ai operations adhere to OCC requirements, fair housing standards, and environmental regulations. Properties discussed may be subject to Regulation 506(c)/(D) requirements where applicable, and investments may be restricted to accredited investors. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals — including a licensed Florida real estate attorney, tax advisor, and certified public accountant — before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.