When it comes to closing a real estate transaction or breaking ground on a new project, a boundary survey is one of the most important documents you can have. Unless you work in land surveying, however, reading one can feel like trying to decipher a foreign language. That’s why we’re here to help.
At McSteen, we believe in making complex things simple. We’ve been surveying land for over 50 years, and we know how crucial accurate, easy-to-understand boundary surveys are to real estate agents, title professionals, mortgage lenders, developers, and property owners.
What is a Boundary Survey?
A boundary survey is a highly accurate calculation of your property lines that can be relied on for property construction and other property improvements on both residential and commercial properties. It shows the perimeter, any improvements (like buildings or fences), and key elements like easements, encroachments, and rights-of-way.
In Ohio, boundary surveys are often required for fence installations or land development projects. Requiring a significant amount of independent research and calculations—as well as literal stakes in the ground—a boundary survey is the highest and most accurate survey to establish boundary lines for residential, commercial, or industrial properties.
Key Elements of a Boundary Survey
A boundary survey includes several key components that define the dimensions and legal description of your property:
- Surveyor’s Certification & Title Block
- Located at the top or bottom of your survey.
- Includes the surveyor’s name, license number, date of the survey, and McSteen’s contact information.
- Certifies that the survey complies with Ohio’s legal and industry standards.
- Legal Description
- Found on the survey document and corresponds to your property deed.
- Defines the exact boundaries, often using metes and bounds (direction and distance measurements)
- Ensures the surveyed property matches official records.
- Property Lines and Corners
- These are the bold lines defining the limits of the parcel and correspond to the legal description of the property.
- Corners may be identified by iron pins, concrete monuments, or other markers placed during the survey.
- Angles and distances are labeled to show the exact dimensions of the lot.
- Easements and Rights-of-Way
- These indicate areas where others (utility companies, neighbors, government agencies) have the legal right to use part of your land.
- Easements can include underground utilities, drainage systems, or shared driveways.
- Typically shown with dashed lines and labeled with their purpose.
- Existing Structures and Improvements
- Includes houses, garages, sheds, fences, driveways, and any permanent structures that are near the property lines.
- Structures are drawn to scale and labeled for easy identification.
- Helps determine if improvements encroach onto neighboring properties or violate zoning codes.
- Encroachments
- An encroachment occurs when a structure from an adjacent property extends over your boundary.
- If identified, these are labeled and may require legal resolution or an adjustment to property use.
- Setback lines and Zoning Information
- Show the required distance between structures and property lines, as regulated by local zoning laws.
- Important for determining where you can build additional structures or make improvements.
- Scale and North Arrow
- The scale (e.g., 1 inch = 20 feet) helps you interpret distances on the survey.
- The north arrow orients the survey to real-world directions, allowing you to understand the layout of your property in relation to adjacent lots.
Investing in a boundary survey will offer clarity and a clear picture of a property’s boundary limits. Be sure to check out our Guide to Boundary Surveys for more information and follow our blog for current industry trends and news.
With more than 50 years of experience in all 88 counties of Ohio, and surrounding counties i, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky, McSteen is a leader in the industry. The McSteen Standard is about trust, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. We don’t just hand over a piece of paper—we put heart and soul into every project.
Contact us today and let our team of survey professionals handle your surveying needs.