PURPOSE: This rule describes standards that apply to all property boundary surveys.

1. (1) Research and Investigation

   1. (A) Every survey executed shall be based on the legal description of the parcel or parent tract taken from the title of record. This legal description should be provided by the client.
   2. (B) Prior to making a survey the surveyor shall, insofar as necessary to define the property to be surveyed, acquire other data, such as adjoining deeds, maps, subdivision plats, original plats and original notes. This shall not be construed that the surveyor has an obligation to research the title of record.
   3. (C) The surveyor shall compare and analyze all of the data obtained and determine the record title boundaries of such parcel or parent tract as reflected by the documents of record supplied or acquired by the surveyor.

2. (2) The Field Survey. The registered land surveyor or a person under his/her direct personal supervision, shall—

   1. (A) Search for and locate controlling corners and other physical monuments that may influence or are required to define the location of the exterior corners of the parcel to be surveyed;
   2. (B) Search for and locate other real evidence, such as, where applicable, the location of streets, roads, lines of occupation, resident witness information, etc. which relates to the survey;
   3. (C) Evaluate the reliability of the evidence and monuments that have been found;
   4. (D) Obtain appropriate measurements to correlate all found evidence. Measurements will be taken to a precision compatible with the size and geometric shape of the parcel involved, and consistent with the accuracy desired for the class of property on which the survey is located, and in accordance with the accuracy standards as set out in this chapter;
   5. (E) Correlate the facts obtained by the field survey with the record boundaries of the parcel or parent tract; and
   6. (F) Reach a conclusion on the location of record title boundaries and set monuments as required.

3. (3) Publication of Results. A plat shall be made showing the results of the survey and a signed and sealed copy of the plat shall be furnished to the client. This survey plat shall conform to all of the following provisions, where applicable:

   1. (A) The plat shall be a drawing made to a convenient scale on the type of material consistent with the purpose and permanency required. If the client requests the survey plat to be provided in digital format (AutoCAD, etc.), the surveyor shall also provide a signed and sealed drawing. The drawing shall be the official plat and shall take precedence over the digital data;
   2. (B) The plat shall show the name of the person for whom the survey was made and the date of the survey;
   3. (C) The plat or copy of the plat furnished the client shall bear the signature and seal of the surveyor in responsible charge. Whenever more than one (1) sheet must be used to accurately portray the survey, each sheet shall bear the signature and seal of the surveyor;
   4. (D) Lettering on the plat presented to the client or recorder shall be no smaller than eight-hundredths inch (0.08") in height. All characters shall be open, well-rounded and of uniform width;
   5. (E) The direction of boundary lines on the plat shall be shown by direct angles between established lines or by azimuths or bearings based upon a described direction reference system. The direction reference system shall be clearly described on the plat and must be retraceable for future surveys;
   6. (F) A prominent north arrow shall be drawn on every sheet;
   7. (G) Complete dimensions (distances, directions, and curve data) of all parcels surveyed and/or created shall be shown;
   8. (H) All dimensions shall be shown in feet or meters. All plat dimensions shall be given as horizontal distances at the ground surface. A written scale shall be noted on all plats. Drawings eight and one-half inches by fourteen inches (8 1/2" x 14") or larger shall also show a graphic scale;
   9. (I) All vertical dimensions shall be shown by elevations above an established or assumed datum;
   10. (J) Measurements and calculated areas will be shown on the plat to a number of significant figures representative of the actual precision of the measurements;
   11. (K) Curved lines shall show at least two (2) elements of the curve and preferably these three (3): radius, central angle and length of arc. When not tangent to the preceding and/or succeeding course, the bearing or angle of either the initial tangent, radial line or long chord shall be shown. Pertinent information on compound curves shall be shown;
   12. (L) The survey shall show sufficient data (distances and directions) to positively locate the parcel surveyed within the United States Public Land Survey, or within the recorded subdivision. If the survey cannot be located by either of the previously mentioned provisions, it must be referenced to other lines and points sufficiently established by record;
   13. (M) All controlling corners accepted or restored shall be shown or noted on the plat;
   14. (N) All controlling corner physical monuments either found or set shall be shown and described on the plat. A note or symbol shall show which were found and which were set;
   15. (O) The class of property shall be noted on the plat; and
   16. (P) Any material variation between measured and record dimensions shall be noted on the plat.

AUTHORITY: sections 60.510(7) and 60.550, RSMo 1986 and 448.2-109, RSMo Supp. 1988.* Original rule filed May 3, 1994, effective Dec. 30, 1994.

*Original authority: 60.510(7) and 60.550, RSMo 1969 and 448.2-109, RSMo 1983, amended 1988.