ALTA Survey Standards

Land surveys are an important part of being a land owner and are essential for staying legally protected against land disputes. ALTA survey standards help to upkeep the quality and reliability of land surveys in the USA.

What does ALTA stand for?

ALTA is an abbreviation for the 'American Land Title Association'. Founded in 1907, ALTA is a national trade association that represents industries that involve abstract of title and title insurance.

Almost all title insurance companies hold an ALTA membership and membership helps to maintain fair conduct at the workplace through their 'Principles of Fair Conduct' that must be followed by all members.

What are ALTA Survey Standards?

The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) came together with ALTA to devise a set of land surveying standards to help promote uniformity across surveying information in the USA.

Surveys that adhere to the ALTA survey standards are boundary surveys that must meet the minimum requirements as set by ALTA.

An ALTA survey is prepared for almost all new commercial buildings as it ensures a high quality and detailed survey of the land and property - which is essential for commercial buildings.

These standards are an essential way of minimizing the risk of real estate transactions. The standards are accepted as the most detailed and reliable form of land surveys in the USA so are important if there are any disputes as to land ownership later down the track.

The reason why standards are so detailed are that the main purpose of them are for use with title insurance claims. If a property owner has a land survey conforming to survey standards then it will be considered much more highly than simply the deeds on the land.

ALTA survey standards make sure that all details about the property are included, such as: fences, roads, trails, utility lines and other property features. There are minimum detail standards set out by ALTA and all ALTA members must follow these.

ALTA Survey Standards - Scale and Symbols

All land surveys that conform to ALTA survey standards must follow rules regarding the scale and symbols on the map/plat.

The map must be drawn to a convenient scale, and that scale must be clearly indicated on the map. Additionally, a graphic scale should in feet, meters or both should also be included on the map.

All land surveys must have a north arrow drawn on, and if it practical, the survey should be oriented so that the north arrow is at the top of the drawing.

Every symbol or abbreviation that is used on the map must be noted in a legend to one side of the map.

ALTA land surveys must also contain all of the data necessary to be able to determine the mathematical dimensions and relationships of the boundaries shown, including angles, bearings, lengths and radii of curves.

All ALTA land surveys must be a minimum size of 8 ½ by 11 inches.

ALTA Survey Standards - What Must be Shown

There is a long list of things that need to be included on ALTA survey standard maps. Driveways, alleyways, cemeteries, burial grounds, ponds, springs, lakes and rivers are just some of the things that must be included on the map.

Additionally, the character and location of walls, fences, buildings and other physical improvements five feet either side of the boundary line must be included on the map. Structural projections must also be included, such as fire escapes, bay windows, doors that open out, cornices, steps and stoops.

Where to Find ALTA Survey Standards

ALTA survey standards are very detailed and precise - and land surveyors need to spend a lot of time learning the methods required.

The ALTA website and their headquarters in Washington D.C. have documents outlining the requirements for ALTA surveys, and these are updated regularly.

To learn more about ALTA standards, land surveying methods and to find a local land surveyor in your area, be sure to visit the Land Surveyors website for all your land survey needs.