What are Site Surveys and Topographical Maps?

A site survey provides definitive physical proof of property lines and shows contour topography lines to represent the shapes, slopes and elevations of the land on a parcel of property. A Parcel Map (link) and a Legal Description (link) will be items to have before you start a Site Survey.

What Types of Site Surveys are there?
There are two different types of surveys used when building on a lot:
1) A Boundary Survey: which provides information on your property lines and surrounding areas. To get boundary information, Title Reports and Parcel Maps may be used, and your APN number may also be used at the building department to get this information.

2) A Topographical Survey (or “topo”), which uses contour lines to represent the shape and elevation of the land. Geological features, such as: mountains, valleys, streams, lakes, rivers, and vegetation are identified, along with man-made features, such as: roads, transmission lines, and major buildings. Some building departments may have existing surveys with this information.

Why is a Survey Necessary?
A boundary survey will provide the locations of your property lines, determine exactly where the house will be positioned on the lot, and the shape that the house can be. Having a boundary survey will determine the most efficient type of foundation for the house as well. Topo surveys, although not always required by the building department, are essential for grading plans and permits.

When Do I Need to Have a Survey?
You will need to provide the boundary (and sometimes the topo) survey to the building department before you start construction. Most building departments require you to provide a site plan that shows the boundary information and how the house is located on the property. Designers will also need to see the survey to get the vital information needed to create a house plan. It is always a good idea to get the site surveys at the very first stages of the building process so that the correct lot information will be used in all aspects of design and construction.

Who Will Provide and Perform the Surveys?
The person who will perform the survey is called the "Site Surveyor," and it is his or her job to stake out and mark all boundaries on your property. You must have correct setbacks from the property corners or property lines to your house so that way your surveyor will stake out your house corners and also the property lines of the house. It is a requirement that you have to do before your start building. The site surveyor can provide an electronic survey that the civil engineering firm will use.

Here is an example of a Parcel Map
Here is an example of a Legal Description
Here is an example of a Boundary Survey
Here is an example of a Topographical Survey on a Grading Plan

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