The terms and definitions contained in this article apply to the boundary descriptions of the several counties, unless otherwise declared.
BoundariesTerms Defined
Section § 23070
This section means that the terms and definitions in this part of the law are used to describe county boundaries, unless there's a specific statement saying something different.
county boundaries boundary descriptions terms and definitions
Section § 23071
This law section clarifies that when directions are given as 'north,' 'south,' 'east,' or 'west,' they are referring to the true geographical directions, not magnetic ones, and are based on the true meridian line.
In describing courses, “north,” “south,” “east,” and “west,” mean true courses, and refer to the true meridian.
true courses true meridian geographical directions
Section § 23072
The terms 'northerly,' 'southerly,' 'easterly,' and 'westerly' usually refer to exactly north, south, east, and west unless there are specific references to other directions, lines, markers, or natural features that indicate otherwise.
“Northerly,” “southerly,” “easterly,” and “westerly,” mean due north, due south, due east, and due west, unless controlled by other words, or by lines, monuments, or natural objects.
directional terms north south
Section § 23073
This section explains that when the terms "to," "on," "along," "with," or "by" are used in relation to a mountain or ridge, they refer to the highest point or line along the top of the mountain or ridge.
“To,” “on,” “along,” “with,” or “by” a mountain or ridge, mean summit point or summit line.
mountain ridge summit point
Section § 23074
This section explains that when certain directional words like 'to,' 'by,' 'along,' 'with,' 'in,' 'up,' or 'down' are used to describe locations associated with bodies of water like creeks or rivers, it refers to the middle of the main water channel.
“To,” “by,” “along,” “with,” “in,” “up,” or “down” a creek, river, slough, strait, or bay, mean the middle of the main channel thereof.
middle of channel water boundaries directional terms
Section § 23075
This law section defines specific terms regarding locations near the ocean shore. When it says 'in,' 'to,' or 'from' the ocean shore, it means three miles out into the sea from the shore. When it uses 'along,' 'with,' 'by,' or 'on' the ocean shore, it refers to a line that runs parallel to the shore, also three miles out at sea.
“In,” “to,” or “from” the ocean shore mean a point three miles seaward from the shore. “Along,” “with,” “by,” or “on” the ocean shore, mean on a line parallel with and three miles seaward from the shore.
ocean shore terminology three miles seaward shoreline definitions
Section § 23076
This law defines the mouth of a creek, river, or slough as the point where the center lines of their channels come together when one flows into another.
The mouth of a creek, river, or slough which empties into another creek, river, or slough, is the point where the middle of the channels intersect.
mouth of creek river confluence slough intersection
Section § 23077
When a county's name is mentioned without any additional details, it refers to that specific county.
The use of a county name specified in this division, without further description, is a reference to the county of that name.
county name reference county identification specific county mention
