Survey is a legal description completed by a surveyor of a piece of property.
This should include all dimensions, headings, and any recorded easements or
right of ways or encroachments.
This should include all dimensions, headings, and any recorded easements or
right of ways or encroachments.
Legal Description is a method of describing a particular parcel of land in such a way that it uniquely describes the
particular parcel and no other. A legal description may be a simple reference to a lot as shown on a subdivision plat, or be
described by metes and bounds. To be adequate, it should be sufficient to locate the property without oral testimony
particular parcel and no other. A legal description may be a simple reference to a lot as shown on a subdivision plat, or be
described by metes and bounds. To be adequate, it should be sufficient to locate the property without oral testimony
Property Line is the boundary of a piece property. It is normally noted on a survey with its directional heading and length.
When a surveyor comes out to stake out a piece of property, these stakes would determine the actual property lines and
boundaries.
When a surveyor comes out to stake out a piece of property, these stakes would determine the actual property lines and
boundaries.
Monument is an object placed to mark the physical location of a position. A property corner monument is often a length of
iron rod driven vertically into the ground so that the top is at or below natural grade. A cap identifying the registration
number of the surveyor responsible for placing the monument may be placed atop the monument
iron rod driven vertically into the ground so that the top is at or below natural grade. A cap identifying the registration
number of the surveyor responsible for placing the monument may be placed atop the monument
Set back is the term used to describe the distance a structure should be from the property lines. These are usually the
minimum distances. These distances are part of a city's zoning restrictions or recorded with a subdivisions plat, property
lines and boundaries.
minimum distances. These distances are part of a city's zoning restrictions or recorded with a subdivisions plat, property
lines and boundaries.
Flood Plane is a term used to describe the greatest height water has reached during a flood. These heights are kept as
matter of record by cities and counties. The recorded heights normally date back 50 to 100 years. They are referred to as
a 50 and 100 year flood plane.
matter of record by cities and counties. The recorded heights normally date back 50 to 100 years. They are referred to as
a 50 and 100 year flood plane.
Recorded refers to the process of recording all legal information pertaining to description of a piece of property. This
information is a matter of public record and is kept on file in the county or city where it is located.
information is a matter of public record and is kept on file in the county or city where it is located.
Elevation usually pertains to height of a point above sea level. This point could be used to describe the height of a piece
of property above sea level or the main floor level of a new house.
of property above sea level or the main floor level of a new house.
Hub and Tack is used to describe the process of a surveyor determining points by placing wood hubs. Once the hub is
driven in the ground, a metal tack is placed in the top of the hub to give a pinpoint location of a point.
driven in the ground, a metal tack is placed in the top of the hub to give a pinpoint location of a point.
Site Plan is a plan showing all property lines, dimensions, and proposed or existing improvements. Detailed site plans will
show all information pertaining to utilities and site drainage
show all information pertaining to utilities and site drainage
Foot Print is a term used to refer to the outermost boundaries or perimeter walls of a building. This will include all exterior
walls and will help to determine correct placement of the house on the property.
walls and will help to determine correct placement of the house on the property.
Survey
Construction Jargon
Heading refers to magnetic direction of a property line as related to compass heading.
Utility Easement is the use of a portion of property for some stated purpose without compensation. Easements are not
estates in that they do not convey ownership, but rather the use of the property in so far as needed for a stated purpose.
estates in that they do not convey ownership, but rather the use of the property in so far as needed for a stated purpose.
Topo is a map that present the horizontal and vertical positions of the features of the represented piece of property. This
type of map is very important in areas in a flood plane.
type of map is very important in areas in a flood plane.
Contours define a line of equal elevation on a topo map or plat
Legal Description is a method of describing a particular parcel of land in such a way that it uniquely describes the
particular parcel and no other. A legal description may be a simple reference to a lot as shown on a subdivision plat, or
be described by metes and bounds. To be adequate, it should be sufficient to locate the property without oral testimony
particular parcel and no other. A legal description may be a simple reference to a lot as shown on a subdivision plat, or
be described by metes and bounds. To be adequate, it should be sufficient to locate the property without oral testimony
As Built survey is performed to obtain horizontal and/or vertical dimensional data so that constructed improvements may
be located and delineated
be located and delineated
Tolerance is a mathematical term indicating the allowable variation from a standard or from specified conditions. It is an
indication of the accuracy and the precision of a measurement
indication of the accuracy and the precision of a measurement
Construction Survey are measurements made, while construction is in process, to control elevation, horizontal
position and dimensions, and configuration; to determine adequacy of completion; and to obtain essential dimensions
for construction pay quantities.
position and dimensions, and configuration; to determine adequacy of completion; and to obtain essential dimensions
for construction pay quantities.
Gunter's Chain is a historic land surveying measurement. It is much like the 10 yard long chain used in football games
to determine a first down. A Gunter’s Chain consists of 100 links and each link is 0.6 feet long. Therefore a Gunter’s
Chain is sixty six (66) feet.
to determine a first down. A Gunter’s Chain consists of 100 links and each link is 0.6 feet long. Therefore a Gunter’s
Chain is sixty six (66) feet.
Chain is a unit of lineal measure equal to 66 feet
Station is a computed or surveyed point; normally by standard measurement intervals along a defined centerline.
Rod is a lineal measurement equal to 16.5 feet
Toe refers to the lowest or bottom edge of a land bank or slope.
Invert refers to the flow line in a storm drain or sewer manhole. The invert forms a definite flow line that matches the
flow of the storm drain or sewer pipe
flow of the storm drain or sewer pipe
Mean Sea Level is the elevation that is measured and averaged over specific period of time
Transit is an instrument used by surveyors to determine the location, heading, and dimensions of a piece of
property. From existing benchmarks, surveyors can locate the latitude and longitude location. They can determine the
magnetic heading of each property line with its associated length.
property. From existing benchmarks, surveyors can locate the latitude and longitude location. They can determine the
magnetic heading of each property line with its associated length.
Easement is a recorded right of way to be used for utilities or any other purpose. This easement could be used for
present or future use.
present or future use.
Acre is an area measurement of land. An acre measures 43,560 square feet.
Benchmark is a mark on a permanent object indicating elevation and serving as a reference in topographic surveys
and tidal observations
and tidal observations
Right Of Way is a recorded right to use or travel over a specified area or strip of land. Most commonly it refers to
land on which a street, sidewalk or railroad is located. It can also be occupied by utilities, transmission lines, oil or
gas pipelines, drainage ways or similar facilities, although pathways for these facilities are more commonly referred
to as easements.
land on which a street, sidewalk or railroad is located. It can also be occupied by utilities, transmission lines, oil or
gas pipelines, drainage ways or similar facilities, although pathways for these facilities are more commonly referred
to as easements.
Covenants are rules and regulations recorded as part of a sub-division. These could regulate the style and size of
homes to be built. Also, they could regulate fences, sheds, property use, etc.
homes to be built. Also, they could regulate fences, sheds, property use, etc.
Plat is a print of lot or subdivision showing buildings, roads, and any present or future improvements
Hub is a term used to describe wood stake used to give reference to an elevation or to place a tack for pinpoint
location.
location.
Zoning refers to areas of a city or county can be divided into zones for a particular use. These zones are recorded
and a matter of public record. A zoning committee normally governs the rules and regulations of these zones.
Zones pertain to commercial, residential, industrial, etc.
and a matter of public record. A zoning committee normally governs the rules and regulations of these zones.
Zones pertain to commercial, residential, industrial, etc.
Lot is a specific piece of land and is normally a part of recorded sub-division.
Laser is an instrument used to set up points of the same level for a foundation. The level can also be used to
determine differences in elevation of points in order to possibly determine slope.
determine differences in elevation of points in order to possibly determine slope.
Zero Lot Line is a term used to describe subdivisions that require no side yard setback.
Encroachment means that a structure has been built inside the normal setback or easement.
Variance gives the right to do something that is normally not allowed. This could pertain to a building setback or a
particular use of property.
particular use of property.