There are many types of surveys or projects a Professional Land Surveyor may be required for. Listed below are a few of these projects with a link to a dedicated page with more details.

Monument of Record Evaluation (Pin Search):

A Monument of Record Evaluation (M.O.R.E.) is when a property owner wants to have any of their property corners found. The first step for this type of survey is proving that the property actually has a record of monuments being set. This step requires researching the the county survey records for any survey that shows the property monuments either set or found.

This type of survey is not for certifying the boundary, only showing that the monuments that were found were generally consistent with the survey record. Typically, the surveyor will provide a copy of the survey or plat with the monuments searched for either marked by a red circle for found monuments or by a red “X” for monuments searched for but not found.

Should the property owner want to have any missing monuments set, it would be required to collect enough information in the field for a complete boundary resolution. Once the boundary has been resolved, the property corners can be set. The final step is to file a Record of Survey (see below) with the county surveyors office within 45 days of setting any of the monuments.

Existing Conditions:

An Existing Conditions Survey, also known as a Topographic Survey or a Design Survey, is a detailed mapping of the current physical features, improvements, and utilities of a piece of land. It is conducted to establish the existing conditions of a site prior to any land development project, construction, or redevelopment.

Property Line Adjustment:

According to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 92.010(12), a “Property line adjustment” means a relocation or elimination of all or a portion of the common property line between abutting properties that does not create an additional lot or parcel. This adjustment must be approved by the applicable local government, such as a city or county, and is governed by ORS 92.010 to 92.192

Record of Survey:

A record of survey in Oregon refers to the official documentation required to be filed with the county surveyor’s office when a registered professional land surveyor completes a survey of lands within the state. This record must include a permanent map of the survey, which is submitted within 45 days of establishing or reestablishing a boundary monument The map becomes a permanent public record in the office of the county surveyor.

Additionally, if a surveyor finds or makes changes to a public land survey corner or its accessories as described in an existing corner record or survey map, they must complete and submit a record of those changes to the county surveyor The county surveyor is responsible for maintaining a fair and correct record of all such surveys, including those received under ORS 209.250 and those conducted under ORS 368.106 or 368.206

ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey:

An American Land Title Association (ALTA) Survey is a detailed and comprehensive land survey that adheres to the standards set by the American Land Title Association and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). These surveys are typically conducted for commercial properties as ALTA surveys are often required by title companies, lenders, and buyers for properties involved in commercial transactions, such as sales, leases, or refinancing. The survey serves to identify any potential issues or encroachments that could impact the property’s value or use.

Partition:

In Oregon, a “partition” refers to either the act of dividing land to create not more than three parcels or the area or tract of land that has been partitioned. A “parcel” is defined as a single unit of land created by a partition of land. The process for partitioning property is governed by statutes found in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), primarily within Chapter 92, which addresses Subdivisions and Partitions, and Chapter 105, which covers Partition of Property.

Subdivision:

Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) define the legal framework for subdivisions and partitions within the state. A “subdivision” is defined as either the act of subdividing land or an area or tract of land that has been subdivided, where subdividing land means dividing land to create four or more lots within a calendar year. A “lot” is a single unit of land created by a subdivision of land.

The process for creating a subdivision is governed by ORS 92.010 to 92.192. A “declaration” is the instrument described in ORS 92.075 that creates the subdivision plat. The plat, which includes a final map and other writings containing descriptions, locations, specifications, and provisions, must be recorded with the county recording officer upon payment of fees. The initial point of a plat must be marked with a specific monument, such as a galvanized iron pipe or an iron or steel rod, and its location must be referenced to a survey point.

Local governments have authority to approve subdivision plats and must follow specific procedures for adoption and review. A person who subdivides real property is liable for the reasonable and necessary costs of relocating utility facilities if the subdivision causes utility lines to be moved or service to be interrupted, unless an easement is granted to the utility provider.

Furthermore, ORS 197.522 mandates that local governments must approve applications for permits, authorizations, or other approvals necessary for the construction of “needed housing” on land, provided the project is consistent with the comprehensive plan and applicable land use regulations. If an application is inconsistent, the local government must allow the applicant to propose amendments or conditions to make it consistent before a final decision is made.

Legal Description Writing:

Legal descriptions are required for a deed or an easement to be recorded. A Professional Land Surveyor writes legal descriptions and creates any exhibit maps for these. Typically a field crew will be sent out to gather enough information to write said legal description and any required exhibit map. An easement may be needed for access, utilities, irrigation, or any number of issues. It is best to consult an attorney, as the description and exhibit map are typically required by the attorney for inclusion into their easement language document.

Annexations:

The role of a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in the annexation process is critical, technical, and fundamentally legal in nature. An annexation is the process of bringing unincorporated land into the boundaries of an incorporated city or municipality, and the surveyor acts as the key technical expert who translates the legal and political decision into a precise, defensible geographic reality.

The PLS’s first and most crucial role is to prepare the official Annexation Map or Plat. This is not a simple drawing; it is a legally binding document that defines the new municipal boundary with survey-grade precision. The surveyor must meticulously research existing records, including deeds, county cadastral maps, and prior surveys, to accurately depict the boundaries of the property or properties to be annexed. This map must clearly show the metes and bounds of the annexation area, relate it to established section lines or other recorded monuments, and illustrate its relationship to the existing city limit line. The clarity and accuracy of this plat are paramount, as it will be recorded with the county and serve as the permanent legal record of the municipal boundary change.

Furthermore, a Professional Land Surveyor is essential for conducting a boundary survey of the area proposed for annexation. This is vital for several reasons. The survey verifies that the described annexation area is contiguous with the existing city limits, a legal requirement for most annexations. It also identifies and documents any physical encroachments, existing easements (for utilities, access, or drainage), and potential right-of-way issues that could complicate the annexation or create liabilities for the city. By identifying these issues early, the surveyor allows the municipality to address them before the annexation is finalized, preventing future legal disputes.

The surveyor also provides the precise geospatial data required for the orderly extension of city services. Using the data from the boundary and topographic surveys, the PLS helps city engineers plan for the efficient and cost-effective extension of water lines, sewer mains, roads, and other utilities into the newly annexed area. Their accurate mapping ensures that infrastructure is placed correctly within public rights-of-way and avoids conflicts with private property, which is essential for both budgeting and construction planning.

Finally, the expertise of the PLS is often called upon during the public hearing and notification process. State laws typically require that all property owners within the proposed annexation area, and often those within a certain distance of it, be formally notified. The surveyor’s plat and legal descriptions are used to generate the official list of affected property owners and their addresses. Their work ensures that the municipality fulfills its legal obligation for proper notice, thereby safeguarding the entire annexation process from challenges based on procedural errors. In essence, the Professional Land Surveyor provides the technical and legal foundation upon which a valid, orderly, and uncontestable annexation is built.