AZGPS FAQ Directory
Land Surveying
While you can walk your property or measure distances for personal reference, you cannot legally perform or record your own property survey in Arizona unless you are a licensed Registered Land Surveyor (RLS).
⚖️ 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
In Summary
In Arizona, you cannot legally survey your own property for official or record purposes unless you are a licensed Registered Land Surveyor (RLS). Personal measurements are fine for planning, but official boundary surveys must be performed, signed, and sealed by a qualified professional to be valid.
Need to verify or update your property boundaries? Request a free online estimate at azgps.org/get-a-quote, or confirm a surveyor’s credentials through the AZBTR Licensee Search Tool.
Land surveying is the science, art, and legal process of measuring and mapping the Earth’s surface to determine property boundaries, land features, and elevations.
Surveyors use advanced instruments like GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems), total stations, and 3D scanners to collect precise geographic data for construction, engineering, and property ownership.
In Arizona, all official boundary or design surveys must be performed or supervised by a Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) licensed by the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration.
📍 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.
In Summary
Land surveying establishes the foundation for every property boundary, construction project, and infrastructure plan in Arizona.
A Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) ensures your site data is accurate, legally defensible, and compliant with state requirements.
Not sure which survey type you need? AZGPS offers free online estimates at
azgps.org/get-a-quote — simply describe your project and we’ll help you choose the right service.
If you’re unsure or prefer to speak directly, you can also reach out anytime using our
Contact Form.
Surveying is essential in Arizona because the state’s diverse terrain, rapid development, and strict property laws demand precise mapping and documentation of land boundaries and features.
From private homeowners to public infrastructure agencies, nearly every land-based project relies on accurate surveying to protect ownership rights, support design, and ensure regulatory compliance.
🏜️ 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.
In Summary
Surveying matters in Arizona because it safeguards property ownership, drives responsible development, and ensures that every structure — from a backyard fence to a freeway interchange — is built in the right place, the right way, and on the right ground.
Have questions about land surveying in Arizona? Visit our full FAQ library at azgps.org/faq, request a free estimate at azgps.org/get-a-quote, or reach us directly through our Contact Form.