Virginia Law

Part V. Qualifications for Licensing and Standards of Procedure for Land Surveyors

18VAC10-20-280. Fee schedule.

All fees are nonrefundable and will not be prorated.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.1, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 15, Issue 24, eff. October 1, 1999; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Errata, 18:10 VA.R. 1342 January 28, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2004; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-290. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.2, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002.

18VAC10-20-295. Definitions.

"Absolute horizontal positional accuracy" means the value expressed in feet or meters that represents the uncertainty due to systematic and random errors in measurements in the location of any point on a survey relative to the defined datum at the 95% confidence level.

"Approved land surveying experience" means progressive and diversified office and field training and experience under the direct control and personal supervision of a licensed land surveyor.

"Approved photogrammetric surveying or similar remote sensing technology experience" means progressive and diversified office and field training and experience in photogrammetric surveying or similar remote sensing technology under the direct control and personal supervision of a licensed land surveyor or licensed surveyor photogrammetrist.

"Relative horizontal positional accuracy" means the value expressed in feet or meters that represents the uncertainty due to random errors in measurements in the location of any point on a survey relative to any other point on the same survey at the 95% confidence level.

"Rural land surveys" include surveys on properties located outside urban/suburban properties.

“Urban/suburban land surveys" include surveys on properties that lie within or adjoin city or town limits, suburban areas, or other high-valued properties.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-300. Requirements for surveyor-in-training designation.

A. Applicants must apply directly with NCEES for the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam. All applicants must satisfy one of the following conditions in subdivisions 1 through 8 of this subsection and pass the FS exam. Applicants who do not complete their applications and receive their designations within the three years from the date of application must reapply and satisfy one of the following:

1. Be enrolled in an EAC/ABET-accredited surveying or surveying technology program, have 12 months or less remaining before completion of degree requirements, and provide a certificate of good standing from the dean of the school or the dean's designee;

2. Have earned an undergraduate degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited surveying or surveying technology program;

3. Have earned an undergraduate degree related to surveying acceptable to the board and possess a minimum of one year of approved land surveying experience;

4. Have earned an undergraduate degree in a field unrelated to surveying in conjunction with an additional 30 credit hours in surveying acceptable to the board and possess a minimum of two years of approved land surveying experience;

5. Have earned a board-approved associate's degree related to surveying acceptable to the board and possess a minimum of two years of approved land surveying experience;

6. Have earned a certificate or diploma in a surveying curriculum of a minimum of 30 credit hours in a surveying program acceptable to the board and possess a minimum of three years of approved land surveying experience;

7. Have successfully completed a registered survey apprenticeship program approved by the board, including all work hours and required related technical instruction , and possess a minimum of three years of approved land surveying experience; or

8. Have graduated from high school with evidence of successful completion of courses in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry and possess a minimum of six years of approved land surveying experience.

B. Applicants seeking approval to sit for the SIT designation pursuant to subdivisions A 3 through A 8 of this section may apply board-approved college credits toward the experience requirement. The maximum rate of college credit substitution for experience will be one year of experience credit for each 40 credit hours of board-approved college credits completed. College credits applicable toward the completion of any degree used to satisfy a requirement of subsection A of this section will not be eligible for experience substitution.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.3, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-310. Requirements for the land surveyor and surveyor photogrammetrist licenses.

A. Land surveyor license.

1. A surveyor-in-training (SIT) who has a minimum of four years of approved land surveying experience, in addition to the requirements of 18VAC10-20-300, will be approved to sit for:

a. The Principles and Practice of Land Surveying exam;

b. The Virginia-specific land surveying exam; and

c. The board-supplied exam on regulations.

2. A qualified applicant will be granted a license to practice land surveying upon passing all three exams and meeting all other board requirements.

B. Surveyor photogrammetrist license.

1. An SIT who has a minimum of four years of approved photogrammetric surveying or similar remote sensing technology experience, in addition to the requirements of 18VAC10-20-300, will be approved to sit for:

a. The board-approved surveyor photogrammetrist exam; and

b. The board-supplied exam on regulations.

2. A qualified applicant will be granted a license to practice photogrammetric surveying upon passing both exams and meeting all other board requirements.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.4, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Errata, 25:7 VA.R. 1451 December 8, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Errata, 38:9 VA.R. 829 December 20, 2021; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-320. Requirements for the land surveyor B license.

A. An applicant must:

1. Hold a valid Virginia license as a land surveyor;

2. Present satisfactory evidence of a minimum of two years of land surveying experience, as provided in § 54.1-408 of the Code of Virginia, under the direct control and personal supervision of a licensed land surveyor B or professional engineer;

3. Present satisfactory evidence of having passed college-level courses in hydrology and hydraulics that are acceptable to the board; and

4. Pass a board-approved exam.

B. A qualified applicant will be issued a land surveyor B license upon passing the board-approved exam and meeting all board requirements of in subsection A of this section.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.5, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-330. Education.

An applicant who is seeking credit for a degree earned from an institution outside of the United States must have the applicant's degree authenticated and evaluated by an education evaluation service. The board reserves the right to reject any evaluation submitted by the applicant. Any cost of evaluation will be borne by the applicant.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.6, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-340. Experience standards.

In order to demonstrate meeting the experience requirements of 18VAC10-20-300, 18VAC-10-20-310, and 18VAC10-20-320, the following requirements must be met:

1. Written verification of work experience must document experience that has been gained under the direct control and supervisor of a licensed land surveyor or licensed surveyor photogrammetrist on forms provided by the board.

2. This experience must have been acquired in positions requiring the exercise of independent judgment, initiative, and professional skill.

3. Experience may be gained either prior to or after education is obtained.

4. Experience must be verified by a licensed land surveyor or licensed surveyor photogrammetrist in an organization with a surveying practice and will be evaluated by the board in accordance with 18VAC10-20-35.

Notwithstanding the definition of "approved land surveying experience" or "approved photogrammetric surveying or similar remote sensing technology experience," the requirements set forth in 18VAC10-20-310 will not be waived.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.7, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-345. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-350. Examinations.

A. Applications for initial licensure are received by the board in accordance with the following:

1. Upon successful completion of the achievement of the surveyor-in-training designation, applicants who qualify may apply to sit for the other surveying exams.

2. Upon successful completion of the land surveyor licensure requirements, applicants who qualify under 18VAC10-20-320 may apply to sit for the land surveyor B exam.

B. Applicants must apply to the board to be approved to sit for examinations. Applicants must register and submit the required exam fee to the board's designee. Applicants must follow all board regulations and designee requirements.

C. Applicants approved to sit for the exam will be eligible for a period of three years from the date of initial approval. Applicants who do not pass the exam during the eligibility period are no longer eligible to sit for the exam. To become exam-eligible again, applicants must reapply to the board, meet all current entry requirements, and demonstrate successful completion of 16 hours of educational activities that meet the requirements of 18VAC10-20-683 E and F.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.8, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-360. Licensure by  endorsement.

A. In order to become licensed as a land surveyor in Virginia, any person currently licensed to practice land surveying in another state or other jurisdiction must:

1. Submit to the board verifiable documentation of education, experience, and exam meeting current requirements in Virginia;

2. Pass the Virginia-specific exam; and

3. Satisfy all other applicable requirements of this chapter.

B. In order to become licensed as a land surveyor photogrammetrist in Virginia, any person currently licensed to practice land surveying or photogrammetric surveying by another state or other jurisdiction must:

1. Submit to the board verifiable documentation of education and experience ;

2. Pass the Virginia-approved mapping sciences or submit proof of passing a substantial equivalent meeting current requirements in Virginia; and

3. Satisfy all other applicable requirements of this chapter.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.9, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-370. Minimum standards and procedures for land boundary surveying practice.

A. The minimum standards and procedures set forth in this section are to be used for land boundary surveys performed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The application of the professional's seal, signature, and date as required by this regulation will be evidence that the land boundary survey is correct to the best of the professional's knowledge, information, and belief and complies with the minimum standards and procedures set forth in this chapter.

B. Research procedure. The professional must search the land records for the proper description of the land to be surveyed and obtain the description of adjoining land as it pertains to the common boundaries. The professional must have the additional responsibility to utilize such other available data pertinent to the survey being performed from any other known sources. Evidence found from all known sources, including evidence found in the field, must be carefully compared in order to aid in the establishment of the correct boundaries of the land being surveyed. The professional must clearly identify on the plats, maps, and reports inconsistencies found in the research of common boundaries between the land being surveyed and the adjoining land. It is not the intent of this regulation to require the professional to research the question of title or encumbrances on the land involved.

C. Minimum field procedures.

1. Angular measurement. Angle measurements made for traverse or land boundary survey lines will be made by using a properly adjusted transit-type total-station or scan-station instrument that allows a direct reading to a minimum accuracy of six seconds of arc or equivalent. The number of angles turned at a given station or corner will be the number that, in the judgment of the professional, can be used to substantiate the average true angle considering the condition of the instrument being used and the existing field conditions.

2. Linear measurement. Distance measurement for the lines of traverse or lines of the land boundary survey must be made (i) with metal tapes that have been checked and are properly calibrated as to incremental distances or (ii) with properly calibrated electronic distance measuring equipment, preferably included within the properly adjusted total-station or scan-station instrument, following instructions and procedures established by the manufacturer of such equipment. All linear measurements must be reduced to the horizontal plane, distances between monuments must be reported as ground plane measurement, and other necessary corrections must be performed before using such linear measurements for computing purposes.

D. Field traverse and land boundary closure and accuracy standards.

1. For a land boundary survey located in a rural area, the maximum permissible error of closure for a field traverse is one part in 10,000 (1/10,000). The attendant angular closure is that which will sustain the one part in 10,000 (1/10,000) maximum error of closure. The angular error of closure must not exceed 20 seconds times the square root of the number of angles turned. The ratio of precision must not exceed an error of closure of one foot per 10,000 feet of perimeter of closed loop control traverse (1:10,000). Based on the network adjustment at the 95% confidence level, neither axis of the 95% confidence level error ellipse for any control point, property corner, or independent point located on the boundary may exceed 0.10 foot (or 0.030 meters) plus 50 ppm measured relative to any other point on the survey.

2. For land boundary surveys located in an urban/suburban area, the angular error of closure for the closed loop control traverse must not exceed 10 seconds times the square root of the number of angles turned. The ratio of precision must not exceed an error of closure of one foot per 20,000 feet of the perimeter of the closed loop control traverse (1:20,000). Based on the network adjustment at the 95% confidence level, neither axis of the 95% confidence level error ellipse for any control point, property corner, or independent point located on the boundary may exceed 0.05 foot (or 0.015 meters) plus 30 ppm measured relative to any other point on the survey. For a land boundary survey located in an urban area, the maximum permissible error of closure for a traverse will be one part in 20,000 (1/20,000).

The maximum permissible positional uncertainty based on the 95% confidence level of any independent boundary corner or independent point located on a boundary that has been established by utilizing global positioning systems must not exceed the positional tolerance of 0.07 foot (or 20 mm +/- 50 ppm).

E. When using GNSS for land boundary surveying, in order to meet error of closure and relative positional accuracy standards, multiple simultaneous and concurrent observations must be used to obtain baseline solutions to compute network or closed traverse errors of closure as outlined in this section. A single real-time kinematic (RTK) vector solution yields a "no check" solution and therefore, by itself, does not meet minimum standards and must not be used without additional independent checks.

1. Monumentation. As a requisite for completion of the work product, each land boundary survey of a tract or parcel of land must be monumented with objects made of permanent material at all corners and changes of direction on the land boundary with the exceptions of meanders, such as meanders of streams, tidelands, lakes, swamps and prescriptive rights-of-way, and each such monument, other than a natural monument, must, when physically feasible, be identified by a temporary witness marker. Where it is not physically feasible to set actual corners, appropriate reference monuments must be set, preferably on the boundary line, and the location of each must be shown on the plat or map of the land boundary.

All boundaries, both exterior and interior, of the original survey for any division or partition of land must be monumented in accordance with the provisions of this section when such monumentation is not otherwise regulated by the provisions of a local subdivision ordinance.

2. For land boundary surveys providing for a division when only the division, in lieu of the entire parcel, is being surveyed, any new corners established along existing property lines will require that those existing property lines be established through their entire length. This will include the recovery or reestablishment of the existing corners for each end of the existing property lines.

F. Office procedures.

1. Computations. The computation of field work data must be accomplished by using the mathematical routines that produce closures and mathematical results that can be compared with descriptions and data of record. Such computations must be used to determine the final land boundary of the land involved.

2. Plats and maps. The following information must be shown on all plats and maps used to depict the results of the land boundary survey:

a. The title of the land boundary plat identifying the land surveyed and showing the district, town, and county or city in which the land is located and scale of drawing.

b. The name of the owner of record and recording references.

c. Names of all adjoining owners of record with recording references, or with subdivision name and lot designations and recording references.

d. Inconsistencies found in the research of common boundaries between the land being surveyed and the adjoining land. The inconsistencies must be clearly noted by the professional.

e. Names of highways and roads with route number and widths of right-of-way or distance to the center of the physical pavement and pavement width, name of railroads, streams adjoining, crossing, or in close proximity to the boundary and other prominent or well-known objects that are informative as to the location of the land boundary.

f. A distance to the nearest road intersection or prominent or well-known object. In cases of remote areas, a scaled position with the latitude and longitude or state plane coordinates must be provided.

g. Items crossing any property lines such as physical improvements and evidence of easements such as utilities and other physical features pertinent to the boundary of the property.

h. Bearings of all property lines and meanders to nearest one second of arc or equivalent. Distances of all property lines and meanders to the nearest one hundredth (.01) of a foot or equivalent. Meanders are defined as lines of convenience used to close the figure along an irregular geometry of natural boundary course, such as a river or shoreline, or along a boundary at the center of a roadway.

i. Adequate curve data to accomplish mathematical closures.

j. Distances of all property lines and meanders to the nearest one hundredth (.01) of a foot or equivalent.

k. Pursuant to subdivision E 2 of this section, the bearing and distances from the new corners to the existing corners on each end of the existing property lines.

l. For property located in rural areas, area to the nearest hundredth (.01) of an acre or equivalent.

m. For property located in urban/suburban areas, area to the nearest square foot or thousandth (0.001) of an acre or equivalent.

n. North arrow and source of meridian used for the survey.

o. For interior surveys, when the new parcel is entirely surrounded by the parent tract, a reference bearing and distance to a property corner of an adjoining owner or other prominent object, including intersecting streets or roads.

p. Tax map designation or geographic parcel identification number, if available, for surveyed parcel and adjoining parcels.

q. Description of each monument found and each monument set by the professional.

r. A statement that the land boundary survey shown is based on:

(1) A current field survey and includes the closed-loop traverse methodology, such as total station or redundant GNSS observations, used to perform the field survey; or

(2) A compilation from deeds, plats, surveys by others, or combination thereof.

If the land boundary shown is a compilation from deeds or plats, or a survey by others, the title of the plat must clearly depict that the plat does not represent a current land boundary survey and the plat must not be titled as a land boundary survey.

s. A statement as to whether a current title report has been furnished to the professional.

t. A statement as to whether any or all easements and physical improvements are shown on the plat.

u. Name, address, and contact information for the land surveyor or the registered business.

v. The professional's seal, signature, and date.

3. Metes and bounds description. The professional must prepare a metes and bounds description in narrative form, if requested by the client or the client's agent, for completion of any newly performed land boundary survey. The description must reflect all metes and bounds, to include bearings, distances, and curve data sufficient to reconstruct the geometry, the area of the property described, all pertinent monumentation, names of record owners or other appropriate identification of all adjoiners, and any other data or information deemed as warranted to properly describe the property. Customarily, the metes and bounds must be recited in a clockwise direction around the property. The professional must clearly identify in the metes and bounds description any inconsistencies found in the research of common boundaries between land being surveyed and the adjoining land. For subdivisions, the professional must prepare a metes and bounds description in narrative form for only the exterior boundaries of the property.

No metes and bounds description will be required for the verification or resetting of the corners of a lot or other parcel of land in accordance with a previously performed land boundary survey, such as a lot in a subdivision where it is unnecessary to revise the record boundaries of the lot.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.10, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Errata, 18:10 VA.R. 1342 January 28, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-380. Minimum standards and procedures for surveys determining the location of physical improvements; field procedures; office procedures.

A. The following minimum standards and procedures are to be used for surveys determining the location of physical improvements on any parcel of land or lot containing less than two acres or equivalent (e.g., "building location survey," "house location surveys," "physical surveys," ) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The application of the professional's seal, signature, and date as required by this chapter will be evidence that the survey determining the location of physical improvements is correct to the best of the professional's knowledge, information, and belief and complies with the minimum standards and procedures set forth in this chapter.

B. The professional must determine the position of the lot or parcel of land in accordance with the intent of the original survey and must set or verify permanent monumentation at each corner of the property, consistent with the monumentation provisions of subdivision E 1 of 18VAC10-20-370. All such monumentation other than natural monumentation must, when physically feasible, be identified by temporary witness markers.

When the professional finds discrepancies of sufficient magnitude to warrant, in the professional's opinion, the performance of a land boundary survey (pursuant to the provisions of 18VAC10-20-370), the professional must inform the client or the client's agent that such land boundary survey is deemed warranted as a requisite to completion of the physical improvements survey.

The location of the following must be determined in the field:

1. Fences in near proximity to the land boundary lines and other fences that may reflect lines of occupancy or possession.

2. Other physical improvements on the property and all man-made or installed structures, including buildings, stoops, porches, chimneys, visible evidence of underground features (e.g., manholes, catch basins, telephone pedestals, power transformers), utility lines, and poles.

3. Cemeteries, if known, disclosed, or discovered in the process of performing the survey; roads or traveled ways crossing the property that serve other properties; and streams, creeks, and other defined drainage ways.

4. Other visible evidence of physical improvements on the property.

C. The plat reflecting the work product must be drawn to scale and must show the following, unless requested otherwise by the client and so noted on the plat:

1. The bearings and distances for the boundaries and the area of the lot or parcel of land must be shown in accordance with record data, unless a current, new land boundary survey has been performed in conjunction with the physical improvements survey. If needed to produce a closed polygon, the meander lines necessary to verify locations of streams, tidelands, lakes, and swamps must be shown. All bearings must be shown in a clockwise direction, unless otherwise indicated.

2. North arrow and source of meridian used for the survey.

3. Fences in the near proximity to the land boundary lines and other fences that may reflect lines of occupancy or possession.

4. Improvements and other pertinent features on the property as located in the field pursuant to subsection B of this section.

5. All physical improvements, including fences, across a property line must be identified and dimensioned with respect to the property line.

6. The closest dimension (to the nearest 0.1 foot or equivalent) from the front property line, side property line, and if pertinent, rear property line to the principal walls of each building. Also, all principal building dimensions (to the nearest 0.1 foot or equivalent).

7. Building street address numbers, as displayed on the premises, or so noted if no numbers are displayed. In absence of physical numbers, an address as shown on the locality's geographic information system.

8. Stoops, decks, porches, chimneys, balconies, floor projections, and other similar type features.

9. Street names, as posted or currently identified and as per record data if different from posted name.

10. Distance to nearest road intersection from a property corner, based upon record data. If not available from record data, distance to nearest intersection may be determined from best available data, and so qualified.

11. Building restriction or setback lines per restrictive covenants if shown or noted on the record subdivision plat.

12. The caption or title of the plat must include the type of survey performed; lot number, block number, section number, and name of subdivision, as appropriate, or if not in a subdivision, the names of the record owner; town, county, or city; date of survey; and scale of drawing.

13. Adjoining property identification.

14. Easements and other encumbrances set forth on the record subdivision plat, and those otherwise known to the professional.

15. A statement as to whether or not a current title report has been furnished to the professional.

16. Inconsistencies found in the research or field work of common boundaries between the land being surveyed and the adjoining land must be clearly noted.

17. Name, address, and contact information for the individual or entity for whom the survey is being performed.

18. Professional's seal, signature, and date.

19. Name, address, and contact information for the land surveyor or registered business.

D. In performing a physical improvements survey, a professional will not be required to set corner monumentation on any property when:

1. It is otherwise required to be set pursuant to the provisions of a local subdivision ordinance as mandated by § 15.2-2240 of the Code of Virginia or by subdivision A 7 of § 15.2-2241 of the Code of Virginia;

2. Eventual placement is covered by a surety bond, cash escrow, set-aside letter, letter of credit, or other performance guaranty; or

3. Exempt by § 54.1-407 of the Code of Virginia.

E. A professional performing a physical improvements survey when monumentation is not required as stated in subsection D of this section must clearly note on the plat "no corner markers set," the reason why it is not required, and the name of guarantors providing the performance guaranty.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.11, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-382. Minimum standards and procedures for surveys determining topography; field procedures; office procedures.

A. The minimum standards and procedures set forth in this section are to be used for topographic surveys performed in the Commonwealth of Virginia pursuant to Chapter 4 (§ 54.1-400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia. The application of the professional's seal, signature, and date as required by this chapter is evidence that the topographic survey is correct to the best of the professional's knowledge and belief and complies with the minimum standards and procedures.

B. Minimum field and office procedures. The following information must be shown on, or contained in, all plats, maps, or digital geospatial data, including metadata, used to depict the results of the topographic survey:

1. Physical improvements on the property, all man-made or installed structures, as well as visible evidence of underground features (e.g., manholes, catch basins, telephone pedestals, power transformers), and utility lines and poles must be shown or depicted when they are visible based on the methodology and scale. If the methodology or scale prevents depiction of the improvements as described in this section, then notice must be clearly stated on or contained in the map, plat, or digital geospatial data, including metadata, indicating the improvements that are not depicted.

2. Elevations must be provided as spot elevations, contours, or digital terrain models.

3. Onsite, or in close proximity, benchmarks must be established on site or in close proximity of the project and shown in the correct location, with correct reference to vertical datum, preferably North American Vertical Datum (NAVD), and shown in the correct location. Clearly state reference and basis of vertical datum. Elevations must be provided as spot elevations, contours, or digital terrain models.

4. The title of the topographic survey identifying the land surveyed and showing the state, county, or city in which property is located.

5. Name, address, and contact information of the individual or entity for whom the survey is being performed.

6. Name, address, and contact information for the land surveyor, surveyor photogrammetrist, or registered business.

7. Date, graphic scale, numerical scale, and contour interval of plat, map, or digital geospatial data, including metadata.

8. North arrow and source of meridian used for the survey.

9. Names or route numbers of highways, streets, and named waterways must be shown.

10. A distance to the nearest road intersection or prominent or well-known object. In cases of remote areas, latitude and longitude or state plane coordinates must be provided.

11. The horizontal and vertical unit of measurement, coordinate system, and data, including adjustments if applicable.

12. A statement, in the following form, must be shown on or contained in plats, maps, or digital geospatial data, including metadata:

This ________________ (provide description of the project) was completed under the direct and responsible charge of _______________________________ (Name of Professional) from an actual Ground/Conventional RTKGPS (or GNSS) or Remotely Sensed (check all that are applicable) survey made under my supervision; that the imagery or original data was obtained on ______________ (Date); and that this plat, map, or digital geospatial data, including metadata, meets minimum accuracy standards unless otherwise noted.

For the purposes of the certification above, remotely sensed data includes photogrammetry, airborne LIDAR, terrestrial and mobile LIDAR, and for hydrographic surveys, sonar or other acoustic type technologies for measurements.

C. Minimum positional accuracies must be met in accordance with the tables in subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 of this subsection. These tables are not intended to be acceptable in all situations, and the professional will be responsible to perform the work to the appropriate quality and extent that is prudent or warranted under the existing field conditions and circumstances. Metric or other unit of measurements must meet an equivalent positional accuracy. Map or plat scales, or contour intervals, other than those defined in these tables must meet an equivalent positional accuracy. The minimum positional accuracy tables are as follows:

1. Scale and contour interval combinations.

2. Vertical accuracy standards.

3. Horizontal accuracy standards.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-390. Geodetic surveys.

All geodetic surveys, including the determination and publication of horizontal and vertical values utilizing Global Positioning Systems (GPS), that relate to the practice of land surveying as defined in § 54.1-400 of the Code of Virginia, must be performed under the direct control and personal supervision of a professional as defined in Part I (18VAC10-20-10 et seq.) of this chapter.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 5.12, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-392. Photogrammetric surveys or similar remote sensing technology.

The use of photogrammetric methods or similar remote sensing technology to perform any part of the practice of land surveying as defined in Chapter 4 (§ 54.1-400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia must be performed under the direct control and supervision of a licensed land surveyor or a licensed surveyor photogrammetrist.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-395. Standard of care.

In no event may the requirements contained in 18VAC10-20-370 through 18VAC10-20-392 be interpreted or construed to require the professional to perform work of a lesser quality or quantity than that which is prudent or warranted under the existing field conditions and circumstances.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016.