🛰️ 1. What GNSS Networks Do

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) networks use signals from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou satellites. These signals are monitored by multiple fixed base stations, which send correction data to a central server. Surveyors connect their rovers or data collectors via NTRIP to receive real-time, centimeter-level corrections directly in the field.

⚖️ 2. GNSS Networks vs. Traditional Base–Rover RTK

Traditional RTK requires setting up your own base station on a known point, broadcasting corrections to your rover via UHF radio or Bluetooth. While effective for small sites, it introduces limits — including range constraints, radio interference, and the need to reoccupy control points daily.

GNSS Network RTK eliminates those issues by providing statewide coverage with multi-base correction geometry. This means:

• ✅ No need to set up or maintain your own base each day
• ✅ Instant corrections from the nearest reference stations
• ✅ Accuracy maintained over long distances
• ✅ Less downtime and fewer errors from signal dropouts
• ✅ Consistent results across multiple crews and regions

In short — network RTK provides the same precision as local base setups, but with more reliability, flexibility, and time savings.

📶 3. Broad Equipment Compatibility

The AZGPS GNSS Network supports all major GNSS equipment brands including Trimble, Leica, Topcon, Spectra Precision, Carlson, Hemisphere, and Emlid. If your device supports NTRIP or RTCM corrections, it can connect directly — no proprietary hardware or software required.

🌐 4. Expanding Coverage Across the Southwest

AZGPS operates an expanding network of base stations providing dense RTK coverage across Arizona and Southern California. The network’s local redundancy ensures consistent performance, even in remote or high-interference environments — ideal for boundary, construction, GIS, and infrastructure projects.

⚙️ 5. Why GNSS Networks Matter in 2025

As surveying continues to evolve, GNSS networks form the backbone of modern geospatial operations. They support not only traditional land surveys, but also UAV mapping, precision agriculture, smart construction, and autonomous equipment. To dive deeper, read our full article: GNSS Networks in 2025: The Backbone of Modern Surveying.

💼 6. Try the AZGPS GNSS Network — Free for 7 Days

Surveyors and engineers can now test the AZGPS GNSS Network at no cost with our 7-day Free Trial. Experience the reliability, speed, and compatibility of our RTK corrections before subscribing.

Learn more or start your trial today on our AZGPS GNSS Network Subscription Page.

📍 1. GPS Accuracy vs. Legal Accuracy

Most phones, tablets, and recreational GPS units are accurate to about 10–20 feet under ideal conditions. Even professional mapping apps like Google Earth use imagery aligned to satellite data that can shift by several feet or more — especially in rural or sloped areas.

A legal boundary survey, by comparison, must achieve accuracy within hundredths of a foot (centimeter-level precision). That difference is the gap between roughly knowing where a line is and proving it legally.

🛰️ 2. Why Property Lines Require a Licensed Surveyor

In Arizona, only a Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) licensed by the Arizona Board of Technical Registration (AZBTR) can officially establish or mark property boundaries.

Using GPS or online maps to place fences or structures without a certified survey can result in:

• ❌ Encroachments onto neighboring property
• ❌ Boundary or easement disputes
• ❌ Permit rejections or title issues during sale

🗺️ 3. What Google Maps *Can* Be Used For

Apps like Google Maps, Gaia GPS, or OnX are great for general orientation — finding approximate lot shapes, travel routes, or nearby features — but not for staking or construction layout. They’re tools for visualization, not verification.

⚖️ 4. Arizona Law and Survey Standards

Boundary evidence and monumentation in Arizona are governed by Arizona Administrative Code R4-30, which requires that all boundary surveys be performed, sealed, and recorded by a licensed RLS. Only these surveys are accepted by county and municipal agencies for permits, plats, and legal filings.

💡 5. The Safe Way to Locate Property Lines

If you want to mark your boundaries, hire a licensed surveyor to perform a Boundary Survey or Lot Survey. The surveyor will:

• 🔹 Research your recorded deeds and plats
• 🔹 Recover or set corner monuments
• 🔹 Provide a signed survey drawing for your records

For most residential properties in Arizona, this typically costs $650–$1,500 depending on size and accessibility.

⚖️ 1. Arizona Law Requires a Licensed Surveyor

Property boundaries in Arizona are regulated under the Arizona Administrative Code R4-30 and overseen by the Arizona Board of Technical Registration (AZBTR). These rules state that only individuals who hold an active Arizona surveying license may:

• ✅ Establish or mark property boundary lines
• ✅ Prepare or sign a Record of Survey or subdivision plat
• ✅ Certify or seal survey drawings used for legal or permit purposes

Any unlicensed person who performs or offers these services may be subject to enforcement action by AZBTR.

📍 2. What You *Can* Do as a Property Owner

You’re free to measure your lot for personal understanding — for example, estimating fence lines or planning landscaping — but those measurements are not legally binding and should not be used to mark or alter official boundaries. If you plan to build, sell, or dispute a line, a licensed survey is required to confirm and document your property limits accurately.

🧭 3. How Licensed Surveyors Determine Property Lines

Professional surveyors combine record research, monument recovery, and precision instruments such as GNSS RTK and robotic total stations to locate boundaries within hundredths of a foot. They then file or certify the results so your property description aligns with local and state records.

🔎 4. Verify Your Surveyor’s License

Before hiring a surveyor, confirm they are licensed and in good standing using the AZBTR Licensee Search Tool. You can view license status, expiration dates, and any complaint history to ensure your survey is performed by a qualified professional.

💡 5. Why Hiring a Licensed Surveyor Protects You

• 🔹 Ensures accuracy that meets Arizona’s legal standards
• 🔹 Provides documentation accepted by counties and title companies
• 🔹 Prevents boundary and encroachment disputes
• 🔹 Protects your investment if the survey results are challenged in court

📍 1. Boundary Survey

Determines exact property lines and corner locations based on deeds, plats, and monuments. Used for fence placement, title verification, and legal boundary disputes. Must be performed by a Registered Land Surveyor (RLS).

📑 2. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey

Required for commercial transactions involving title insurance. Prepared under national standards set by the NSPS and the American Land Title Association (ALTA). Includes boundaries, easements, encroachments, improvements, and zoning details.

🌄 3. Topographic Survey

Maps natural and man-made surface features, elevations, and contours for use in engineering design, grading, and drainage plans. Essential for civil and architectural projects, and often required by municipalities such as the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department.

🔩 4. Construction Staking (Layout Survey)

Translates design drawings into field marks showing where to build roads, utilities, and structures. Used by contractors to ensure projects are built according to engineering plans with precise tolerances.

📐 5. Subdivision Plat & Record of Survey

Defines new parcels, easements, and rights-of-way for development or lot combinations. Required under Arizona Administrative Code R4-30 and recorded with your County Recorder’s Office.

🌊 6. FEMA Elevation Certificate & Floodplain Survey

Determines building elevations relative to base flood elevations (BFEs). Supports insurance rating and Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) requests.

🛰️ 7. Geodetic Control Survey

Establishes precise horizontal and vertical control networks based on the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and State Plane Coordinate Systems. Used for mapping, infrastructure, and GIS accuracy across large areas.

🏗️ 8. Engineering & Design Survey

Provides detailed topographic and utility information to support civil design. Includes grading, road alignment, and structural layout data for engineers and planners.

🧱 9. As-Built Survey

Documents the final built conditions of a project after construction. Verifies that utilities, structures, and improvements were built as approved.

🏞️ 10. Environmental & Wetlands Survey

Locates environmental boundaries such as wetlands, floodways, and protected zones for compliance with EPA and local environmental regulations.

⚡ 11. Utility & Infrastructure Survey

Maps underground and overhead utilities for design coordination and damage prevention. May include ground-penetrating radar (GPR) or subsurface utility engineering (SUE) methods.

🧭 12. Route & Transportation Survey

Used in the design and construction of highways, pipelines, and railways. Establishes alignments, profiles, and cross-sections for linear projects managed by agencies like ADOT.

🌋 13. Mining & Geological Survey

Supports mineral extraction, pit design, reclamation, and volume analysis. Common in Arizona’s active mining regions.

🌅 14. Hydrographic Survey

Measures water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs for depth, sediment, and shoreline mapping. Used by engineers and environmental agencies for water management.

🏘️ 15. Site Plan or Plot Plan Survey

Combines boundary and topographic data to create permit-ready site plans for residential and commercial construction.

💲 1. Typical Price Ranges in Arizona

Residential survey costs in Arizona are higher than national averages because of terrain, monumentation requirements, and licensed professional oversight under the Arizona Board of Technical Registration (AZBTR). For most small-lot boundary surveys, prices fall between $650–$1,200. Larger rural tracts or commercial sites may cost more, especially when deed research or easement recovery is needed.

📏 2. Cost by Survey Type

📊 3. Why Arizona Costs Differ from National Averages

• Varied Topography: Desert terrain, mountains, and washes require more field time and line-of-sight adjustments.
• Record Research: Many Arizona properties rely on historic legal descriptions or partial plats, which take additional office work to verify.
• Professional Standards: Under A.A.C. R4-30, all survey work must be supervised and sealed by a licensed Registered Land Surveyor (RLS).
• Precision Equipment: Most surveyors now use GNSS RTK and robotic total stations to achieve sub-centimeter accuracy — improving results but adding to operational costs.

🏠 4. Real-World Examples

• Typical neighborhood lot: Boundary survey for fencing or sale ≈ $700–$1,000.
• Custom home site: Boundary + topo package ≈ $1,200–$2,500.
• Commercial parcel: Full ALTA/NSPS survey ≈ $3,500–$7,500+.

📍 5. Regional Pricing in Arizona

• Metro Phoenix & Tucson: High competition keeps most residential jobs $650–$1,200.
• Flagstaff, Prescott, Northern AZ: Slightly higher due to terrain and travel time.
• Rural & Desert Regions: Costs increase with access difficulty and monument recovery time.

🔎 6. Verify Your Surveyor’s License (AZBTR)

Before hiring a surveyor in Arizona, always verify they are licensed and in good standing with the Arizona Board of Technical Registration (AZBTR).

You can confirm license status, expiration date, and whether any complaints or disciplinary actions exist using the AZBTR’s Licensee Search Tool. Simply enter the surveyor’s name or registration number to review their credentials.

Hiring a properly licensed Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) ensures your results meet state standards and can be legally recorded or defended in court.

💡 7. How to Get a Personalized Estimate

Because every property is unique, the most accurate pricing comes from a site-specific estimate. AZGPS provides free online quotes for projects across Arizona and Southern California — no obligation, no site visit required.

Request Your Free Estimate →

📍 1. The Purpose of Land Surveying

Land surveying defines where property boundaries begin and end. It ensures structures, utilities, and improvements are placed accurately and legally on the ground.

Surveying data also forms the foundation for mapping, engineering, and infrastructure development across Arizona.

🧭 2. Common Types of Surveys

Each survey type serves a different purpose:

• Boundary Surveys – Define property lines and corners.
• Topographic Surveys – Map elevation, contours, and site features.
• ALTA/NSPS Surveys – Meet national standards for real estate and title insurance (NSPS Standards).
• Construction Staking – Mark design locations for builders and contractors.
• Subdivision & Platting – Create or modify property parcels per Arizona Administrative Code R4-30.
• FEMA Elevation Certificates – Document elevation data for flood insurance or Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) requests.

⚙️ 3. Modern Technology in Surveying

Today’s Arizona surveyors use GNSS Network RTK, aerial drones, LiDAR, and 3D modeling software to achieve centimeter-level accuracy.

Learn more about GNSS technology from the National Geodetic Survey (NOAA NGS).

⚖️ 4. Legal and Professional Standards

Surveying work must comply with Arizona’s Administrative Code R4-30-301 through R4-30-312, which define standards of practice, accuracy, and documentation for Registered Land Surveyors.

Survey maps are legal records that may be filed with your County Recorder’s Office.

🏠 1. Buying or Selling Property

A Boundary or ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey verifies property lines, easements, and encroachments before closing.
It helps prevent costly disputes and gives buyers, sellers, and lenders confidence in the transaction.

🏗️ 2. Building a New Home or Structure

Local building departments and contractors often need a Site Plan or Topographic Survey to confirm setbacks, drainage, and grading prior to permitting or construction. Check with your city’s building department—such as City of Phoenix Planning & Development—for permit survey requirements.

🚧 3. Installing Fences, Walls, or Driveways

A Boundary Survey ensures new improvements stay within your property limits — avoiding conflicts with neighbors and zoning violations. Arizona’s Title 33 – Property Law governs property boundaries and encroachments.

📐 4. Subdividing or Combining Parcels

When splitting or merging lots, a Record of Survey or Subdivision Plat is required.
These must be prepared by an RLS in compliance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R4-30-301 through R4-30-312.

📏 5. Resolving Boundary Disputes

If monuments, fences, or legal descriptions don’t match, a Boundary Retracement Survey re-establishes the true property corners using public records and field evidence. Arizona’s Board of Technical Registration sets professional standards for survey accuracy and ethics.

🌎 6. Engineering, Development, or Drainage Projects

Civil engineers, architects, and planners rely on Topographic and Control Surveys to design grading, drainage, utilities, and structures with precise elevation data. These surveys are often tied to Arizona’s State Land Department GIS mapping for control points and benchmarks.

🌊 7. FEMA Floodplain & Elevation Certificates

If your property is near a flood zone, a surveyor can provide an Elevation Certificate to adjust insurance rates or support a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) through FEMA.

🛣️ 8. Easements & Right-of-Way

When creating or recording utility, access, or drainage easements, a Survey Plat or Exhibit defines the exact location and dimensions for legal documentation. These are typically recorded with your County Recorder’s Office.

🔩 9. Construction Layout or Staking

For contractors, surveyors provide Construction Staking to precisely mark where roads, foundations, and utilities are built according to engineering plans. This step is critical for municipal or ADOT-inspected projects (Arizona Department of Transportation).

🏜️ 1. Arizona’s Unique Landscape

Arizona’s mountains, canyons, deserts, and floodplains make accurate surveying critical. Precise elevation and coordinate data ensure that roads, utilities, and drainage systems work properly in challenging topography.

📏 2. Protecting Property Rights

Boundary surveys define legal property lines and prevent costly disputes between neighbors or developers. Under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 33, clear boundary documentation helps resolve ownership and easement conflicts.

🏗️ 3. Supporting Construction and Design

Every successful project — from residential homes to highways — begins with accurate survey control. Engineers and architects depend on topographic and construction staking surveys to ensure plans fit site conditions and meet municipal codes like those outlined by the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department.

⚖️ 4. Meeting Legal and Regulatory Standards

Arizona requires surveys for subdivision plats, boundary resolutions, and infrastructure design under Arizona Administrative Code R4-30. Only a licensed Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) can legally certify property boundaries and elevation data.

🛰️ 5. Advancing Modern Technology

Arizona surveyors now use GNSS Network RTK, drones, and 3D scanning to achieve centimeter-level precision. These technologies make projects faster, safer, and more efficient — especially in remote or rugged areas. Learn more about GNSS accuracy from the National Geodetic Survey (NOAA NGS).

🏡 6. Ensuring Public Safety and Resilience

Surveying supports floodplain management, utility planning, and emergency response mapping. Accurate data helps agencies and homeowners mitigate risk in flood-prone or wildfire-prone regions, improving community safety and sustainability.