ENKON Information Systems (ENKON) – Academy Series for Land Managers
What is a Parcel of Land?
A parcel of land is a legally defined, specific portion of real property, distinct and separate from adjacent lands. Its boundaries are established through legal descriptions, surveys, or recorded instruments recognized by the applicable jurisdiction. A parcel constitutes a discrete legal entity that may be owned, leased, conveyed, or otherwise transferred in accordance with governing laws and regulations.
The parcel will have the following characteristics:
- Created through an approved and legal process (like subdivision, lot split, or government survey).
- Meets all applicable zoning and land use requirements (such as minimum lot size, frontage, access).
- Has recorded documentation, such as a deed, plat map, or survey, filed with the appropriate government office (like a county recorder or land registry).
- Can be separately sold, leased, developed, or transferred according to law.
In simpler terms: it’s a piece of land that officially exists as its own legal entity and can be legally used or transferred independently of other land. Each parcel carries legal, operational, and environmental obligations that affect your organization’s bottom line and reputation.
What are my Critical Considerations?
Managing parcels effectively means understanding everything that touches a piece of land — not just its location and boundaries. It’s not just about “owning dirt.” It’s about managing the details — titles, permits, restrictions, resource value, and future use.
Here are the key concepts every land manager should consider:
- Ownership and Title Clarity:
Always verify exactly who owns the land, who has rights to use it (like easements), and whether those rights are current and correct. Title errors create expensive problems.
- Legal Boundaries Matter:
Properties are defined by legal surveys. Small mistakes in boundaries can lead to massive conflicts or lawsuits.
- Regulatory Compliance Is Non-Negotiable:
Properties often have zoning laws, environmental regulations, or extraction permits attached. Mismanaging key considerations and dates risks fines, shutdowns, or legal action.
- Connected Agreements and Interests:
A property may have multiple layers of agreements — leases, mineral rights, and access rights. Ignoring one can risk them all.
- Resource and Asset Value:
Properties aren’t just land — they may hold valuable resources like minerals, timber, or water rights. Knowing this value is essential for strategic decisions.
What Information should I have On-Hand?
Strong property management depends on critical pieces of information being at your fingertips such as:
✅ Updated Title Documents
✅ Clearly defined Ownership
✅ Property Valuations
✅ Current Surveys and Legal Descriptions
✅ Updated Permits and Compliance Certificates that affect the parcel
✅ Accurate Maps and Infrastructure Overlays
✅ Related Agreements and Legal Instruments (leases, easements, licenses)
✅ Resource Inventories and Valuations
✅ Understanding of Zoning and Potential Future use
✅ Ongoing Stakeholder and Regulator Communication records
✅ Regular Inspections
Without this information, land management becomes reactive and time consuming — putting your operations, reputation, and potential revenue at risk.
Key takeaway:
Good land managers don’t just “know” where the land is — They know all about it and prove it, with verified documents, accurate records, and compliant practices.
That’s how you protect your projects, your budgets, and your reputation.
How Can ENKON Help?
ENKON’s Integral-LIS web application will assist land managers in organizing and effectively managing all aspects of your land parcels. It centralizes all of your data and provides immediate access to key information and powerful analytics.
This article is part of the ENKON Academy for Land Managers — helping you master every step of land asset management, one smart move at a time.
Contact: www.enkon.com – 1-800-374-5291
