Name: Township America PLSS API
Brand: Township America
Availability: InStock

Getting Started

Quick Start

Start converting legal land descriptions to GPS coordinates in under 5 minutes.

Create an Account

Get Your API Key

Generate an API key from your dashboard. Keep it secure, it's your access token.

Official SDKs Available

Install the official client for your language, full types, batch endpoints, and error handling included.

npm install townshipamerica

npm →

pip install townshipamerica

PyPI →

View on GitHub →

Make Your First Request

Use your API key to convert a legal land description:

terminal

curl "https://developer.townshipamerica.com/search/legal-location?location=14S+15E+6th+Meridian" \
  -H "X-API-Key: your_api_key"

Code Examples

cURL

curl "https://developer.townshipamerica.com/search/legal-location?location=14S+15E+6th+Meridian" \
  -H "X-API-Key: 1234567890abcdefghij"

TypeScript SDK npm →

// npm install townshipamerica
import { TownshipClient } from 'townshipamerica'

const client = new TownshipClient({ apiKey: '1234567890abcdefghij' })
const result = await client.search('14S 15E 6th Meridian')
console.log(result.latitude, result.longitude)

Python SDK PyPI →

# pip install townshipamerica
from townshipamerica import TownshipAmerica

client = TownshipAmerica(api_key="your_api_key")
result = client.search("14S 15E 6th Meridian")
print(result.features[0].properties)

Try It Now

Live Demo

Select API

Input Type

GET/search/legal-location?location=NENE%2025%205N%2030E%20Mount%20Diablo%20Meridian

Response

Response will appear here...

Security

Authentication

All API requests require authentication using your API key.

Include your API key in the request header:

X-API-Key: your_api_key

Base URL:https://developer.townshipamerica.com

Search API

Convert Legal Description to Coordinates

Convert PLSS or Texas TXSS legal descriptions to coordinates and vice versa. Responses include survey_system: "PLSS" or "TXSS".

GET/search/legal-locationLLD → Coordinates (PLSS + Texas TXSS)

Parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
location	string	Required	PLSS or Texas TXSS legal land description (auto-detected) `14S 15E 6th Meridian`

Example Response

response.json

{
  "type": "FeatureCollection",
  "features": [{
    "type": "Feature",
    "geometry": { "type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [...] },
    "properties": {
      "shape": "grid",
      "search_term": "14S 15E 6th Meridian",
      "legal_location": "14S 15E 6th Meridian",
      "unit": "Township",
      "survey_system": "PLSS",
      "county": "...", "state": "..."
    }
  }]
}

Texas TXSS example response

{
  "type": "FeatureCollection",
  "features": [{
    "type": "Feature",
    "geometry": { "type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [...] },
    "properties": {
      "shape": "grid",
      "search_term": "A-175 Reeves County",
      "legal_location": "Abstract 175 Reeves County Texas",
      "survey_system": "TXSS",
      "abstract_no": "175",
      "county": "Reeves",
      "state": "TX"
    }
  }]
}

Convert Coordinates to Legal Description

Get the legal land description for any GPS coordinate. Returns PLSS inside PLSS states and Texas TXSS inside Texas.

GET/search/coordinatesCoordinates → LLD

Autocomplete API

Smart Suggestions

Real-time suggestions as users type PLSS or Texas TXSS descriptions.

GET/autocomplete/legal-locationPartial LLD → Suggestions

Batch API

Batch Processing

Process up to 100 PLSS or Texas TXSS locations in a single request, mixed arrays are supported.

POST/batch/legal-locationBatch LLD → Coordinates (PLSS + Texas TXSS)

POST/batch/coordinatesBatch Coordinates → LLD

Maps API

Map Tiles API

PLSS grid and Texas land survey (abstract / block / survey) overlay tiles for your mapping applications. List available layers with GET /layers.json.

Tile URL Pattern

https://maps.townshipamerica.com/{layer}/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=...

Layer catalog (TileJSON URLs + source-layer names):

curl "https://maps.townshipamerica.com/layers.json?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY"

MapLibre GL JS, Texas land surveys

map.addSource('texas-land-surveys', {
  type: 'vector',
  tiles: [
    'https://maps.townshipamerica.com/texas-land-surveys/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt' +
    '?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY'
  ],
  minzoom: 4,
  maxzoom: 14
});

map.addLayer({
  id: 'texas-land-surveys-fill',
  type: 'fill',
  source: 'texas-land-surveys',
  'source-layer': 'texas-land-surveys',
  paint: {
    'fill-color': '#4a7c59',
    'fill-opacity': 0.15
  }
});

Available Layers

State	Grid Layers	Label Layers	source-layer
All PLSS States	`twpfirst-divisionsecond-division`	`twp_labelfirst_division_labelsecond_division_label`	`twpfirst-divisionsecond-division`
Texas (TXSS)	`texas-land-surveys`	`texas-land-surveys-labels`	`texas-land-surveys`

Legacy slug tx_otls still resolves to texas-land-surveys.

Energy API

Energy Parcel Reports

Wells, operators, federal leases, ONRR royalties, orphaned wells, pipelines, FracFocus disclosures, and siting constraints for any parcel. legal_location accepts both grids: PLSS legal descriptions (aliquot wording included) and Texas abstract/block/survey descriptions.

GET/energy/reportParcel → Full energy report (include= projects sections)

GET/energy/summaryIdentity + per-section counts (small payload)

GET/energy/wellsWells inside the parcel + nearby state-regulator wells (CO, ND, OK, WY, NM)

GET/energy/operatorsDistinct operators by well count near the parcel

GET/energy/leasesBLM federal O&G leases intersecting the parcel

GET/energy/royaltiesONRR county royalty aggregate (county-wide, labelled scope: county)

GET/energy/orphaned-wellsUSGS documented orphaned wells on the parcel

GET/energy/pipelinesNearest HIFLD gas / NGL / crude trunk lines

GET/energy/fracfocusFracFocus chemical disclosures near the parcel

GET/energy/constraintsSplit-estate + sage-grouse + renewable-siting context

FracFocus rows require "Data: FracFocus.org" attribution; NREL siting scores are CC-BY 4.0. An out-of-range radius_mi is a 400, never a silent fallback.

Federal Land API

Federal Land Parcel Reports

A 15-layer federal land report for any PLSS tract: surface management, BLM leases and rights-of-way, flood zones, mining claims, wetlands, firesheds, soils, orphaned wells, critical habitat, public access, and wildfire risk. Texas abstract input returns 400 texas_not_supported.

GET/federal-land/reportPLSS tract → Full federal land report (include= projects sections)

GET/federal-land/summaryIndexed per-layer counts + the state coverage map

GET/federal-land/surface-managementBLM Surface Management Agency polygons on the tract

GET/federal-land/leasesBLM MLRS oil & gas leases

GET/federal-land/geothermal-leasesBLM MLRS geothermal leases

GET/federal-land/rights-of-wayBLM MLRS rights-of-way

GET/federal-land/flood-zonesFEMA National Flood Hazard Layer zones

GET/federal-land/mining-claimsBLM MLRS mining claims

GET/federal-land/wetlandsUSFWS National Wetlands Inventory

GET/federal-land/fireshedsUSFS fireshed exposure

GET/federal-land/soilsNRCS SSURGO soil map units

GET/federal-land/orphaned-wellsUSGS documented orphaned wells

GET/federal-land/critical-habitatUSFWS critical habitat

GET/federal-land/public-accessBLM Public Land Access Data (PLAD)

GET/federal-land/wildfire-riskUSFS Wildfire Risk to Communities

Scalar sections (crop_history, elevation) and geometry are include= values on /report, not routes. A layer with no_state_coverage in meta.unavailable has no data in that state at all; an empty array is only an all-clear when the layer is covered.

Texas API

Texas Abstract Reports & RRC Production

GLO leases, pooled units, PSF and state agency lands, RRC wells and pipelines, pending permits, coastal erosion, and lease-level RRC production for any abstract/block/survey tract. PLSS input returns 400 plss_not_supported; an abstract matching more than one county returns 400 ambiguous_location, never a silent first-row pick.

GET/texas/reportAbstract → Full Texas report (include= projects sections)

GET/texas/summaryIndexed per-layer counts

GET/texas/state-leasesGLO active O&G leases on the abstract

GET/texas/state-unitsGLO pooled units

GET/texas/psf-landsPermanent School Fund lands

GET/texas/state-agency-landsState agency lands

GET/texas/upland-leasesGLO upland surface leases

GET/texas/pipelinesRRC T-4 pipeline segments crossing the abstract

GET/texas/permitsRRC pending drilling permits

GET/texas/coastal-erosionGLO critical erosion areas

GET/texas/wellsProducing wells on the abstract with allocated per-well figures

GET/texas/productionPer-lease lifetime + trailing-12 totals and a 60-month series

GET/texas/wells/{api}One well: units, monthly series (when provisioned), Arps decline fit

Per-well volumes are allocated estimates: RRC reports production by lease, never by well. denominator_basis (time_varying or static) records which denominator produced them, and the decline fit is withheld below R² 0.7.

Energy Tiles API

Vector Tiles

The Energy pack's map layers as vector tiles: state-regulator wells, FracFocus, orphaned wells, pipelines, sage-grouse habitat, solar zones, wind turbines, and federal subsurface minerals. Served from the maps CDN, authenticated with an api_key query parameter.

Tile URL Pattern

https://maps.townshipamerica.com/energy/{archive}/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=... https://maps.townshipamerica.com/energy/{archive}.json?api_key=... (TileJSON)

Available Archives

Every archive's vector source-layer equals the archive name (MapLibre needs it in source-layer). Anything outside this list returns 403.

Archive	Source Layer	Layer
`co_wells`	`co_wells`	Colorado wells (ECMC)
`co_wells_labels`	`co_wells_labels`	Colorado wells (labels)
`nd_wells`	`nd_wells`	North Dakota wells (DMR)
`nd_wells_labels`	`nd_wells_labels`	North Dakota wells (labels)
`ok_wells`	`ok_wells`	Oklahoma wells (OCC)
`ok_wells_labels`	`ok_wells_labels`	Oklahoma wells (labels)
`wy_wells`	`wy_wells`	Wyoming wells (WOGCC)
`wy_wells_labels`	`wy_wells_labels`	Wyoming wells (labels)
`nm_wells`	`nm_wells`	New Mexico wells (OCD)
`nm_wells_labels`	`nm_wells_labels`	New Mexico wells (labels)
`fracfocus`	`fracfocus`	FracFocus chemical disclosures
`fracfocus_labels`	`fracfocus_labels`	FracFocus (labels)
`usgs_orphaned_wells`	`usgs_orphaned_wells`	USGS documented orphaned wells
`usgs_orphaned_wells_labels`	`usgs_orphaned_wells_labels`	USGS orphaned wells (labels)
`usgs_wind_turbines`	`usgs_wind_turbines`	USGS wind turbines
`usgs_wind_turbines_labels`	`usgs_wind_turbines_labels`	USGS wind turbines (labels)
`sage_grouse_hma`	`sage_grouse_hma`	BLM Sage-Grouse habitat management areas
`sage_grouse_hma_labels`	`sage_grouse_hma_labels`	Sage-Grouse HMA (labels)
`western_solar`	`western_solar`	BLM Western Solar Plan zones
`western_solar_labels`	`western_solar_labels`	Western Solar (labels)
`nrel_land_of_opportunity`	`nrel_land_of_opportunity`	NREL Land of Opportunity (CC-BY 4.0)
`nrel_land_of_opportunity_labels`	`nrel_land_of_opportunity_labels`	NREL Land of Opportunity (labels)
`fed_subsurface_minerals`	`fed_subsurface_minerals`	Federal subsurface mineral estate
`fed_subsurface_minerals_labels`	`fed_subsurface_minerals_labels`	Federal subsurface minerals (labels)
`og_pipelines_natgas`	`og_pipelines_natgas`	HIFLD natural gas pipelines
`og_pipelines_ngl`	`og_pipelines_ngl`	HIFLD NGL pipelines
`og_pipelines_crude`	`og_pipelines_crude`	HIFLD crude oil pipelines
`tx_pipelines`	`tx_pipelines`	Texas RRC T-4 pipelines

The _labels archives are the same footprint rendered as a label layer. Add them as their own source alongside the geometry archive when you want text; the pipeline archives carry their labels inline.

MapLibre Usage

const KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY";
const base = "https://maps.townshipamerica.com/energy";

// State-regulator wells: point archive + companion _labels archive.
// Every archive's source-layer equals the archive name.
map.addSource("co-wells", {
  type: "vector",
  tiles: [`${base}/co_wells/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=${KEY}`],
  minzoom: 0,
  maxzoom: 14
});

map.addLayer({
  id: "co-wells-points",
  type: "circle",
  source: "co-wells",
  "source-layer": "co_wells",
  paint: { "circle-radius": 3, "circle-color": "#b5651d" }
});

// TileJSON works too, and carries the bounds and zoom range
map.addSource("og-pipelines-natgas", {
  type: "vector",
  url: `${base}/og_pipelines_natgas.json?api_key=${KEY}`
});

Federal Land Tiles API

Vector Tiles

The Federal Land pack's map layers as vector tiles: surface management, mining claims, SSURGO soils, firesheds, wildfire risk, and wetlands. Served from the maps CDN, authenticated with an api_key query parameter.

Tile URL Pattern

https://maps.townshipamerica.com/federal-land/{archive}/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=... https://maps.townshipamerica.com/federal-land/{archive}.json?api_key=... (TileJSON)

Available Archives

Every archive's vector source-layer equals the archive name. Anything outside this list returns 403.

Archive	Source Layer	Layer
`surface_management`	`surface_management`	BLM Surface Management Agency
`surface_management_labels`	`surface_management_labels`	Surface management (labels)
`mining_claims`	`mining_claims`	BLM MLRS mining claims
`mining_claims_labels`	`mining_claims_labels`	Mining claims (labels)
`nrcs_ssurgo_soils`	`nrcs_ssurgo_soils`	NRCS SSURGO soils
`nrcs_ssurgo_soils_labels`	`nrcs_ssurgo_soils_labels`	SSURGO soils (labels)
`usfs_firesheds`	`usfs_firesheds`	USFS firesheds
`usfs_firesheds_labels`	`usfs_firesheds_labels`	Firesheds (labels)
`usfs_wrc`	`usfs_wrc`	USFS Wildfire Risk to Communities
`usfs_wrc_labels`	`usfs_wrc_labels`	Wildfire risk (labels)
`usfws_wetlands`	`usfws_wetlands`	USFWS National Wetlands Inventory
`usfws_wetlands_labels`	`usfws_wetlands_labels`	Wetlands (labels)

MapLibre Usage

const KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY";
const base = "https://maps.townshipamerica.com/federal-land";

// Surface management polygons. Every archive's source-layer equals
// the archive name; _labels archives are companion label layers.
map.addSource("surface-management", {
  type: "vector",
  tiles: [`${base}/surface_management/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=${KEY}`],
  minzoom: 0,
  maxzoom: 14
});

map.addLayer({
  id: "surface-management-fill",
  type: "fill",
  source: "surface-management",
  "source-layer": "surface_management",
  paint: { "fill-color": "#3d6b99", "fill-opacity": 0.4 }
});

// TileJSON works too, and carries the bounds and zoom range
map.addSource("usfws-wetlands", {
  type: "vector",
  url: `${base}/usfws_wetlands.json?api_key=${KEY}`
});

Texas Tiles API

Vector Tiles

The Texas pack's map layers as vector tiles: the abstract/block/survey grid, GLO leases and units, PSF lands, RRC wells, permits, pipelines, coastal hazard layers, and the RRC production heatmap. Served from the maps CDN, authenticated with an api_key query parameter.

Tile URL Pattern

https://maps.townshipamerica.com/texas/{archive}/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=... https://maps.townshipamerica.com/texas/{archive}.json?api_key=... (TileJSON)

Available Archives

Every archive's vector source-layer equals the archive name, except the tx_production_grid_* family, whose three archives all share the source-layer tx_production_grid. Anything outside this list returns 403.

Archive	Source Layer	Layer
`texas-land-surveys`	`texas-land-surveys`	Texas land surveys (abstract / block / survey grid)
`texas-land-surveys-labels`	`texas-land-surveys-labels`	Texas land surveys (labels)
`tx_otls`	`tx_otls`	Texas land surveys (legacy slug)
`tx_otls_labels`	`tx_otls_labels`	Texas land surveys labels (legacy slug)
`tx_leases`	`tx_leases`	GLO active O&G leases
`tx_leases_labels`	`tx_leases_labels`	GLO leases (labels)
`tx_glo_units`	`tx_glo_units`	GLO pooled units
`tx_glo_units_labels`	`tx_glo_units_labels`	GLO pooled units (labels)
`tx_glo_pooling`	`tx_glo_pooling`	GLO pooling agreements
`tx_glo_pooling_labels`	`tx_glo_pooling_labels`	GLO pooling (labels)
`tx_glo_land_types`	`tx_glo_land_types`	GLO land types
`tx_glo_land_types_labels`	`tx_glo_land_types_labels`	GLO land types (labels)
`tx_psf_lands`	`tx_psf_lands`	Permanent School Fund lands
`tx_psf_lands_labels`	`tx_psf_lands_labels`	PSF lands (labels)
`tx_state_agency_lands`	`tx_state_agency_lands`	State agency lands
`tx_state_agency_lands_labels`	`tx_state_agency_lands_labels`	State agency lands (labels)
`tx_upland_leases`	`tx_upland_leases`	GLO upland surface leases
`tx_upland_leases_labels`	`tx_upland_leases_labels`	Upland leases (labels)
`tx_non_mineral_leases`	`tx_non_mineral_leases`	GLO non-mineral leases
`tx_non_mineral_leases_labels`	`tx_non_mineral_leases_labels`	Non-mineral leases (labels)
`tx_hard_minerals`	`tx_hard_minerals`	GLO hard mineral leases
`tx_hard_minerals_labels`	`tx_hard_minerals_labels`	Hard minerals (labels)
`tx_wells_surface`	`tx_wells_surface`	RRC wells (surface hole)
`tx_wells_surface_labels`	`tx_wells_surface_labels`	RRC surface wells (labels)
`tx_wells_bottom`	`tx_wells_bottom`	RRC wells (bottom hole)
`tx_wells_bottom_labels`	`tx_wells_bottom_labels`	RRC bottom-hole wells (labels)
`tx_uic_wells`	`tx_uic_wells`	RRC UIC injection/disposal wells
`tx_uic_wells_labels`	`tx_uic_wells_labels`	UIC wells (labels)
`tx_permits`	`tx_permits`	RRC approved drilling permits (W-1)
`tx_permits_labels`	`tx_permits_labels`	Drilling permits (labels)
`tx_pipelines`	`tx_pipelines`	RRC T-4 pipelines
`tx_bay_tracts`	`tx_bay_tracts`	GLO bay tracts
`tx_bay_tracts_labels`	`tx_bay_tracts_labels`	Bay tracts (labels)
`tx_coastal_leases`	`tx_coastal_leases`	GLO coastal leases
`tx_coastal_leases_labels`	`tx_coastal_leases_labels`	Coastal leases (labels)
`tx_oyster_leases`	`tx_oyster_leases`	Oyster leases
`tx_oyster_leases_labels`	`tx_oyster_leases_labels`	Oyster leases (labels)
`tx_critical_erosion`	`tx_critical_erosion`	GLO critical erosion areas
`tx_critical_erosion_labels`	`tx_critical_erosion_labels`	Critical erosion (labels)
`tx_shoreline_change_rates`	`tx_shoreline_change_rates`	Shoreline change rates
`tx_shoreline_change_rates_labels`	`tx_shoreline_change_rates_labels`	Shoreline change (labels)
`tx_flood_hazard`	`tx_flood_hazard`	FEMA flood hazard (Texas)
`tx_flood_hazard_labels`	`tx_flood_hazard_labels`	Flood hazard (labels)
`tx_production_grid_county`	`tx_production_grid`	RRC production heatmap (county rollup)
`tx_production_grid_block`	`tx_production_grid`	RRC production heatmap (block rollup)
`tx_production_grid_abstract`	`tx_production_grid`	RRC production heatmap (abstract)

Zoom-Banded Rollup Family

The RRC production heatmap ships as three archives covering different zoom bands (abstract geometry is far too dense to draw at state scale). Add all three as separate sources and let the zoom ranges hand off; a client that adds only the abstract archive sees an empty map below z9. All three share the source-layer tx_production_grid.

Zoom	Archive	Granularity
z4-7	`tx_production_grid_county`	County
z7-9	`tx_production_grid_block`	Block
z9+	`tx_production_grid_abstract`	Abstract

The _labels archives are the same footprint rendered as a label layer. tx_pipelines is the exception: its archive carries both geometry and labels.

MapLibre Usage

const KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY";
const base = "https://maps.townshipamerica.com/texas";

// The RRC production heatmap is a zoom-banded family: add all three
// sources. They SHARE the source-layer "tx_production_grid" — a client
// that adds only the abstract archive sees an empty map below z9.
map.addSource("txprod-county", {
  type: "vector",
  tiles: [`${base}/tx_production_grid_county/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=${KEY}`],
  minzoom: 4,
  maxzoom: 7
});
map.addSource("txprod-block", {
  type: "vector",
  tiles: [`${base}/tx_production_grid_block/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=${KEY}`],
  minzoom: 7,
  maxzoom: 9
});
map.addSource("txprod-abstract", {
  type: "vector",
  tiles: [`${base}/tx_production_grid_abstract/{z}/{x}/{y}.mvt?api_key=${KEY}`],
  minzoom: 9,
  maxzoom: 14
});

map.addLayer({
  id: "txprod-abstract-fill",
  type: "fill",
  source: "txprod-abstract",
  "source-layer": "tx_production_grid", // shared across all three archives
  minzoom: 9,
  paint: { "fill-color": "#fd8d3c", "fill-opacity": 0.55 }
});

// Every other archive's source-layer equals the archive name.
// TileJSON works too, and carries the bounds and zoom range
map.addSource("texas-land-surveys", {
  type: "vector",
  url: `${base}/texas-land-surveys.json?api_key=${KEY}`
});

MCP Server

AI Agent Integration

Connect Claude Desktop, Cursor, Continue, or Cline directly to the PLSS API using the Model Context Protocol. Let AI agents convert legal land descriptions, look up coordinates, and export GeoJSON boundaries with your Township America API key.

The MCP server uses a standalone Township America API key from your dashboard. Business unlocks MCP access; quota and rate limits follow your API subscription tier (Build / Scale / Enterprise).

Available Tools (6)

Tool	Description
`plss_to_coordinates`	Convert a PLSS legal land description to GPS coordinates
`coordinates_to_plss`	Find the PLSS description for GPS coordinates
`plss_to_geojson`	Get the GeoJSON boundary polygon for a PLSS description
`validate_description`	Validate and normalize a PLSS description (local, no API call)
`batch_convert`	Convert up to 1,000 PLSS descriptions in one request

Prerequisites

, A standalone Township America API key (Build / Scale / Enterprise) from your dashboard. Business unlocks MCP server access.
, Node.js 22+ (for npx)

Connect from Claude Desktop

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or ~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Linux):

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "townshipamerica": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "townshipamerica-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TA_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace your_api_key_here with your Township America API key. Restart Claude Desktop after saving.

Connect from Cursor

Open Cursor Settings → MCP, or edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "townshipamerica": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "townshipamerica-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TA_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Connect from Continue

Add to ~/.continue/config.json:

config.json

{
  "experimental": {
    "modelContextProtocolServers": [
      {
        "transport": {
          "type": "stdio",
          "command": "npx",
          "args": ["-y", "townshipamerica-mcp"],
          "env": {
            "TA_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
          }
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Connect from Cline

Open Cline settings, navigate to MCP Servers, and add:

cline_mcp_settings.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "townshipamerica": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "townshipamerica-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TA_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Troubleshooting

"TA_API_KEY environment variable is not set"

Add TA_API_KEY to the env block in your MCP config file, not as a shell environment variable. The MCP host passes env vars from the config.

"Quota exceeded" error

Your quota depends on your standalone API tier. Build = 1,000 calls/month per endpoint; Scale and Enterprise go higher. Upgrade at /app/api or wait for the monthly reset.

Server not appearing in your AI assistant

Restart the AI assistant after editing the config file. Verify your config is valid JSON. Run npx townshipamerica-mcp in a terminal with TA_API_KEY set to check for startup errors.

Tool returns "Not found" for a valid description

PLSS covers 30 US states. Texas uses the TXSS survey system (abstract, block, and survey descriptions) and is fully supported. Alaska, Hawaii, and some eastern states may not resolve. Use the validate_description MCP tool to check your format.

TypeScript source Python source About MCP

Reference

Error Codes

Code	Status	Description
400	Bad Request	Invalid legal land description
401	Unauthorized	Missing or invalid API key
429	Too Many Requests	Rate limit exceeded
500	Server Error	Internal error — try again

Rate Limits

Rate limits vary by plan tier.

Build

1 req/sec

1,000 req/month

Scale

5 req/sec

10,000 req/month

Enterprise

25 req/sec

100,000 req/month

OpenAPI Specification

Download our OpenAPI 3.0 specification for code generation, testing, and documentation.

openapi.yaml

OpenAPI 3.0 · YAML format

Download View Raw

Use with popular tools

Swagger UI Postman Insomnia OpenAPI Generator

Plans

API Pricing

Built for developers integrating US land-location and mapping capabilities. Core APIs are priced per request; the Land Intelligence APIs below are priced per parcel report.

Monthly

Annual Save 2 months

Build

For development & testing

$20 /month

1,000 requests/mo
$0.02/request
1/sec rate limit
Unlimited API keys

Scale

For production apps

$100 /month

10,000 requests/mo
$0.01/request
5/sec rate limit
Unlimited API keys

Enterprise

For high-volume needs

$500 /month

100,000 requests/mo
$0.005/request
25/sec rate limit
Unlimited API keys

Need higher volume? Contact us for enterprise solutions.

Land Intelligence APIs

Priced per parcel report

Go beyond coordinates with parcel-level Energy, Federal Land and Texas intelligence. One report is one parcel's intelligence returned by the API. Tiles and lookups stay on the core request-based plans above.

Parcel-level energy intelligence including wells, leases, royalties, pipelines, split estate, orphaned wells and siting constraints.

Developer

$40 /month

25 parcel reports/mo
Unlimited API keys

Professional

$250 /month

250 parcel reports/mo
Unlimited API keys

Business

$900 /month

1,000 parcel reports/mo
Unlimited API keys

Enterprise

Custom

Custom parcel reports/mo
Custom keys, limits and terms

Talk to us

Allowances are hard stops: when a key reaches its monthly reports it pauses until the next month, and you can move up a tier at any time. There is no per-report overage. Annual billing saves two months.

Enterprise

High-volume, embedded and white-label use

Use Township America to power a product you sell. Bulk report generation, redistribution, embedded products, white labeling and custom licensing are set up together under an Enterprise agreement rather than sold off the shelf.

High-volume and batch report generation
Embedded and white-label products
Redistribution and commercial licensing
Custom limits, SLA and support terms

Custom pricing

Talk to us

Self-service plans are for internal professional use and application development.

Township America self-service plans are intended for internal professional use and application development. High-volume automated processing, commercial redistribution, resale, white-label use, embedded products, or use of Township America data as a material component of a third-party commercial product requires an Enterprise agreement.

Talk to us

Legal Land Description API for Developers

Quick Start

Create an Account

Get Your API Key

Official SDKs Available

Make Your First Request

Code Examples

Try It Now

Authentication

Convert Legal Description to Coordinates

Parameters

Example Response

Texas TXSS example response

Convert Coordinates to Legal Description

Smart Suggestions

Batch Processing

Map Tiles API

Tile URL Pattern

MapLibre GL JS, Texas land surveys

Available Layers

Energy Parcel Reports

Federal Land Parcel Reports

Texas Abstract Reports & RRC Production

Vector Tiles

Tile URL Pattern

Available Archives

MapLibre Usage

Vector Tiles

Tile URL Pattern

Available Archives

MapLibre Usage

Vector Tiles

Tile URL Pattern

Available Archives

Zoom-Banded Rollup Family

MapLibre Usage

AI Agent Integration

Available Tools (6)

Prerequisites

Connect from Claude Desktop

Connect from Cursor

Connect from Continue

Connect from Cline

Troubleshooting

"TA_API_KEY environment variable is not set"

"Quota exceeded" error

Server not appearing in your AI assistant

Tool returns "Not found" for a valid description

Error Codes

Rate Limits

Build

Scale

Enterprise

OpenAPI Specification

openapi.yaml

Use with popular tools

API Pricing

Build

Scale

Enterprise

Priced per parcel report

Developer

Professional

Business

Enterprise

High-volume, embedded and white-label use

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free PLSS API?

How accurate is the PLSS geocoding?

Can I batch convert PLSS descriptions via API?

What response formats are supported?

Ready to convert legal land descriptions programmatically?