Land Surveying
Tucson Surveying & Mapping has been providing our clients with quality surveys in Southern Arizona since 1915. We specialize in boundary surveys, ALTA surveys, lot splits, aerial mapping, as-built surveys, custom home layouts, elevation certificates and topographic surveys. When you choose Tucson Surveying & Mapping, all phases of the survey process, from the research to the field work, will be performed by a registered land surveyor.
Tucson Surveying & Mapping has a unique advantage in that we possess the survey records of many now retired surveyors. This gives us a unique insight into old survey records that are not available to other surveyors. We utilize Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Robotic Total Stations and Unmanned Aerial Systems or UAS. All drawings are prepared utilizing Computer Aided Drafting or CAD. Our typical delivery for a Results of Survey drawing or map will be in a 24”x36” hard copy format, along with a digital version in a .pdf file format. If your needs require it, we can also provide a copy of the digital CAD file.
We work primarily in Pima County and rural Cochise County and we would be happy to provide a free cost estimate for your surveying needs.
Boundary Retracement Survey
We perform all of our boundary surveys to meet the Arizona Boundary Survey Minimum Standards as required by the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration or BTR. The BTR is the governing body of Registered Land Surveyors in Arizona. Not only do we meet these minimum standards, we often exceed them as the conditions of your parcel may require. For a copy of the Minimum Standards, please click here.
Sometimes referred to as “staking and flagging”, it is the process of researching the deeds for the property and adjoining properties, then going to the site to recover or set the property corners. A map will then be prepared that will show the property lines, property dimensions, acreage and encroachments. Encroachments are things like fences, walls or roads that might cross the property line and that could indicate an adverse claim by a neighbor. This is the basic survey upon which all other surveys are based. The map will not show: improvements, topography, easements, setbacks, flood plains and utilities (these items can be added for an additional fee). This map will be recorded at the county Recorder’s office.
Don’t be fooled by claims that all surveys can be completed in 24 hours. Some simple surveys can, but some take days of research and preparation before the field crew can go to the site. The most common mistake surveyors will make is failing to do the proper research.
Topographic Survey
Using the boundary survey as its base, 3D points are located on the site and a surface model is prepared. The surface model is utilized to create a contour map illustrating the ground form in 2D. This is the type of survey that would normally be needed for the construction of a new building or an addition to an existing building. On larger parcels, we may utilize our Unmanned Aerial System or UAS and perform an aerial survey to determine the topography.
Alta Survey
Again using the boundary survey as a base, this map will show: all existing improvements, easements and public utilities. This type of survey is normally required for refinancing or purchase of a commercial property. This type of survey is always based on a Title Report or Status of Title Report which will list the easements that serve or encumber a parcel of land. A Title Insurance Policy will also list the easements.
Lot Split, Parcel Split, Minor Land Division
This involves recovering or setting the property corners for the perimeter boundaries as well as setting the corners for the new parcel boundaries. Legal descriptions are written and a map is drawn and recorded. The client is responsible for recording the legal descriptions. The number of splits permitted is limited by the applicable zoning code. In Tucson and Pima County the splits must be approved by the zoning officials.
Elevation Certificate
This form shows the floor elevation of a structure or the height of the floor above the ground in relation to the calculated flood depth as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the local regulatory flood plain agency. This form is required for flood insurance or new construction on properties that are located within a flood plain.