Frequently Asked Questions

Record Boundary

The Record Boundary is the physical location where the legal property line resides relative to the topographical physical features. For an architect, record boundary lines are critical to determine setback requirements and other important site development information.

Boundary Survey

A boundary survey is a document that defines the exact boundaries of your property. The survey will show the distances from your house to the boundary lines, and to the street, etc. The document includes the legal description, parcel identification, section, township.


Typically, you would need a boundary survey if you were in dispute with your neighbor, if you are buying a property, dividing, or building on your property.

Boundary Adjustment

This type of survey is used when two or more adjacent properties want to change the boundary line(s) between parcels, while not creating any new parcels.

This type of survey is often used by one property to acquire a piece of an adjacent property.

ALTA Survey

American Land Title Association (ALTA) Survey: An ALTA survey graphically depicts each element in a preliminary title report where easements and encroachments may be present.


It follows survey and drawings standards set by the ALTA, and shows property boundaries, improvement information (height, size, setbacks, and more), and recorded title items such as easements. An ALTA survey is typically required by a financial lender (bank) before they will lend money on a commercial property.

Corner Record

The purpose of a Record of Survey is to document the physical placement of property corner monuments (also known as corner staking). A Record of Survey Map is required when it has been determined that your property’s boundary corners have not been defined on an existing recorded Record of Survey Map, a Parcel Map, or a Tract Map.

A Record of Survey Map must be prepared by a licensed land surveyor in accordance with the requirements of the Professional Land Surveyors’ Act. The Record of Survey Map is submitted to the County Surveyor’s office for review and approval. Upon approval, it is then filed with the County Surveyor’s office.

Note: If a property corner has already been defined on an existing recorded Record of Survey Map, a Parcel Map, or a Tract Map, then a Corner Record will be required.

Record of Survey

The purpose of a Record of Survey is to document the physical placement of property corner monuments (also known as corner staking). A Record of Survey Map is required when it has been determined that your property’s boundary corners have not been defined on an existing recorded Record of Survey Map, a Parcel Map, or a Tract Map.

A Record of Survey Map must be prepared by a licensed land surveyor in accordance with the requirements of the Professional Land Surveyors’ Act. The Record of Survey Map is submitted to the County Surveyor’s office for review and approval. Upon approval, it is then filed with the County Surveyor’s office.

Note: If a property corner has already been defined on an existing recorded Record of Survey Map, a Parcel Map, or a Tract Map, then a Corner Record will be required.

Topographic Survey

A Topographic (Topo) land survey shows the height depth, size, and location of man-made or natural features on your property such as peaks, valleys, stream or creek, wooded areas, etc.



For you to understand the lay of your land, a topographic survey is typically required when you want to build on your property or if you are having an erosion problem.

Parcel Map

A Parcel Map is the official subdivision map required to subdivide a piece of property into four (4) or less lots.

It is prepared in accordance with the Professional Land Surveyors’ Act and is filed with the County Surveyor’s office.

Tract Map

A Tract Map is the official subdivision map required to subdivide a piece of property into five (5) or more lots.

It is prepared in accordance with the Professional Land Surveyors’ Act and has been filed with the County Surveyor’s office.

Aerial/Drone Mapping

Aircraft and drones are regularly used to capture topographic data on larger parcels of land. In many instances, aircraft or drones can make a surveying job easier, faster, and less expensive than a “conventional” topographic survey. However, they are often less accurate than a conventional survey. This type of survey deals only with topography and not boundary information.



Aerial/drone surveys are commonly used for preliminary design purposes on large parcels of land.

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