Perch
Definition and meaning of Perch in real estate.
A perch is an obsolete unit of measurement used in land surveying that is equal to sixteen and one-half feet, which is equivalent to one rod or one pole.
In more detail
This historical unit was commonly used in the metes and bounds system of land surveying, which describes property boundaries using distances and directions. One square perch represents one hundred and sixty-thousandths of an acre, which is equal to thirty and one-quarter square yards. Today, modern deeds and land surveys record measurements in feet, meters, or decimal fractions of an acre rather than perches.
However, buyers looking at historical deeds or searching property titles for older parcels of land may still encounter the term.
Key facts
| Category | Legal, Titles & Closing |
|---|---|
| Equivalent To | 16.5 feet (or 1 rod, 1 pole) |
| Square Perch | 30.25 square yards (1/160 of an acre) |
| Survey System | Metes and bounds |
While reviewing an old property deed, the title investigator converted the boundary line length written in perches into feet to verify the modern property boundaries.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the perch used in land surveying?
The perch was a standard unit of length in England and early America, derived from the physical length of a wooden measuring pole or rod used by surveyors to measure fields before metal chains and digital devices were invented.
What should I do if my property deed uses perches?
If you are purchasing a property with a deed written in perches, you should hire a professional land surveyor to perform a modern survey and convert the measurements into feet for accuracy and title insurance purposes.