Boundary survey/
boundary marking

Common reasons to get a boundary line marked include:

a)     Fencing or landscaping near a boundary line

b)     House addition

c)     Curious about boundary line location

d)     Buying a new home

e)     Neighbor encroachment

f)     Marking a timber cutting boundary

By law, licensed land surveyors are the only individuals qualified to locate land boundaries.  A boundary survey is an investigation into the physical location of property corners and lines.  Once the necessary deed and survey research has been performed, the on-site work can begin.  The surveyor searches out and measures between existing corner markers and other objects that help govern the physical location of the land boundary.  After the surveyor has analyzed the evidence and drawn conclusions, the boundary can be marked on the ground as needed.

Most surveyors recommend a “record of survey” map to accompany the on-site work and it is required if the client desires permanent boundary markers.  A record of survey map is a drawing that shows distances between the boundary lines and objects near them such as fences/walls/landscaping.  The map also includes a narrative of the surveyor’s procedures, measurements and decisions regarding the location of the property boundary investigated.  A record of survey map has to be filed with the county surveyor’s office and becomes a permanent public record; it is then available to other surveyors and interested parties who may choose to rely on the information in the future.

property line
ADJUSTMENT
 

A property line adjustment survey is a boundary survey with a change in one of the existing boundary lines.  Surveyors recommend this type of survey to those clients who wish to change the location of a common property line to a more favorable position.  A property line adjustment requires common property ownership or neighborly agreement on the adjusted position.  County or city application and pre-approval is required.  This procedure results in a preliminary survey map to ensure that county/city codes and standards will be met by the resulting line adjustment.  Ultimately, a survey map and new legal descriptions are prepared for recording; once recorded, they legally change the property boundary.  A title company and lawyer are also generally involved to complete a boundary line adjustment.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION
WRITING

Legal descriptions describe the physical location of a parcel of land or easement.  The key to writing a legal description is using clear, concise language.  Legal descriptions meant to create change in ownership lines or easements are usually recorded with the county, which creates a public record of the change.