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General Questions
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Can private property be surveyed by the County Surveyor?
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No. State Statue prohibits the Davis county Surveyor's Office from performing private surveys, except by court order.
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Who can perform a land survey?
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All 50 states have laws requiring a Licensed Land Surveyor(LLS) to assume the legal responsibility of a land survey. The Licensed Surveyor is a highly specialized individual, whose education, experience, and competence have been formally examined and licensed by the State of Utah. Their conduct and the quality of their work are subject to a defined code of ethics.
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Can an engineer do a survey?
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No. An engineer cannot perform survey work unless he/she is also licensed as a land surveyor.
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Can a contractor do land surveyor work?
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No. A contractor cannot perform survey work unless he/she is also licensed as a land surveyor.
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How do I locate a surveyor?
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Recommendations by attorneys, real estate companies, and title companies are good sources. You may contact the Utah Council of Land Surveyors, or check the classified section of the telephone directory under "Surveyor-Land" (Land Surveyors must be licensed, according to Utah Law).
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Does state law require a survey when property is sold?
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No. Utah State Law does not require a survey to convey property.
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Should I employ a surveyor on the basis of price?
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No. Competency and responsibility are more important. Low cost and high qualities are frequently inconsistent. Uncertainties are involved in judging the amount of work necessary to produce a quality product. It is not in your best interest to have the surveyor "bid" on a project.
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Can I determine in advance what the charge will be?
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Not usually. The final cost will depend on the work required to research records, survey existing field evidence, perform the required office computations, generate a plat, and monument your corners.
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Should I employ a surveyor to subdivide my land?
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Yes. A surveyor is qualified by law to prepare descriptions for newly created parcels of land, and may also prepare individual lot descriptions. When two or more lots are created, your surveyor will know the specific platting rules and procedures for each county.
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Can the surveyor layout streets, water lines, and sewer systems for my subdivision?
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Yes. Land surveyors can layout streets, sanitary sewers and storm sewers within a subdivision. The surveyor can recommend an engineer to design the water supply system and perform all other engineering services that will be required. A professional land surveyor will not attempt any aspects of engineering, which he/she is not qualified to perform.
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Can a surveyor provide proof of ownership?
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No. Surveyors do not provide proof of ownership, but make a professional judgement of what the records and facts indicated your ownership to be.
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What information should I give the surveyor?
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You should provide an explanation of the purpose of the survey. Confidentiality will be maintained if requested. You should supply a deed, mortgage description, or abstract of title (not the tax description). If you are aware of a stone, iron pipe, fence post, etc., assumed to be a property corner, supply that information also. Your surveyor will make the professional judgement as to what evidence should be used.
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Where can I get a copy of the legal description of my property?
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Your yealry tax notice will provide you with the book and page number (also known as a TAX ID) of your record deed. A copy of your Warranty Deed can be obtained from the County Recorder's Office. Your tax notice has an abbreviated property description and must be compared to your record document.
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What will the surveyor furnish me?
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The surveyor's final product may vary with each survey. Generally, you will be furnished with a certified plat or map showing what the surveyor has done and the corners monumented ot otherwise identified. A description of the tract will be prepared and shown on the plat.
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Is my survey on record?
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Beginning in April of 1987, Utah law requires that surveys be filed in the County Surveyor's Office. Your survey should be on file if it was performed by a licensed surveyor.
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How long does the surveyor have to file a survey with Davis County?
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The surveyor has ninety days to file a survey with the Davis County Surveyor's Office.
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What are the duties of the Davis County Surveyor?
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By Utah State Code, the Davis County Surveyor's Office is responsible to:
- Keep records of all surveys performed in the county.
- Perform surveys as requested by other county government agencies.
- Perform work by court order.
- Maintain, establish and keep record of section corner monumentation.
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How do I obtain an "Elevation Certificate"?
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The "Elevation Certificate" (EC) is a FEMA form. Go to www.fema.gov and search for "Elevation Certificate". The EC must be completed and sealed by a registered surveyor or engineer when the flood plain has a Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Other resources:
Floodplain Information
Fema Flood Certificate (pdf)
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What is the relationship between old fence lines and recorded deed lines if they are different?
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Refer to the Utah Supreme Court ruling regarding fences used as boundary lines at the following link: Staker v. Ainsworth
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