The surveyor’s opinion as to the location of the surveyed boundary is represented in the resulting plat of survey (or “map” as it is described in some parts of the country). With its dimensioning, controlling corners noted, and monumentation depicted by symbols, the plat of survey has been the traditional deliverable. However, not all conditions relative to the survey can be shown graphically…they require an explanation through the use of Surveyor’s Notes.
Notes can be used to further explain the survey and advise the survey user (who may not be the surveyor’s client or may have never previously even seen a plat of survey) what the survey IS and what the survey IS NOT. These notes may also be key in defending the survey from misuse. Some examples: 1.) No easements are shown on the plat. Does that mean that there aren’t any? 2.) The plat shows a road or driveway reaching the parcel. Does that mean the parcel has the right of access? 3.) No setback lines are shown on the plat. Does that mean that none exist? By the way, the answer to all these questions is NO. Most users of the survey will not know the answer, and can easily assume something else, leading to potential liability by the surveyor.
In this course a whole array of suggested surveyor’s notes are presented and described. Of course not all would be applicable to each survey, but they cover most survey applications: Easements, zoning, underground utilities, documents relied upon, improvements, records searches, environmental risks, notes related to ALTA surveys, codes, drainage, riparian issues.
The liberal use of surveyor’s notes will better inform the survey user. And, they will make the surveyor much more defendable in case of misuse of the survey.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be exposed to:
- The purpose of map notes
- What should and should not be included in map notes
- Proper noting of reference documents
- Proper noting of project research
- Tying title commitment to the survey
