"Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a thriving hub for economic growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for commercial real estate investment." - Chris Evans

Land Surveys Are the Foundation of a Smooth Permitting Process in Commercial Construction

Permits Can Delay Your Project—Or Propel It Forward

In commercial development, every day of delay costs money. Whether you're building a retail center in Katy, a logistics hub in Baytown, or a new office space in The Woodlands, your project won’t move forward without the right permits.

But before a single permit can be approved, one thing must be in place: a precise and professional land survey.

At South Texas Surveying, we help developers, architects, and construction firms across Houston and surrounding areas submit faster, more accurate applications—and avoid costly resubmissions and site plan revisions.

Why Land Surveys Are Critical for Permitting

Municipal planning and permitting departments require detailed site data to:

• Verify legal boundaries and setbacks

• Confirm drainage and grading compliance

• Ensure utility easements are respected

• Review parking layouts and ADA accessibility

• Identify any encroachments or non-conformities

Without a survey, you're guessing—and guessing leads to delays, redesigns, and budget overruns.

Types of Surveys That Support Permitting

✅ Boundary Survey

Defines the exact property lines to ensure your building footprint complies with zoning laws and setbacks.

✅ Topographic Survey

Provides elevation and contour data needed for drainage plans, stormwater management, and site grading.

✅ ALTA/NSPS Survey

Often required for projects involving financing or title insurance, especially on larger commercial developments.

✅ Improvement Survey

Confirms the location of existing structures and improvements for remodels, expansions, or partial redevelopments.

Use Case: Expedited Permitting in Cypress

A local development firm was submitting plans for a multi-tenant retail strip in Cypress. City officials flagged inconsistencies in the site plan tied to an outdated plat. We conducted a boundary and topographic survey, resolved the discrepancies, and provided an updated base for the engineer to submit—resulting in permit approval within 10 days.

Who Needs a Survey for Permitting?

• Commercial developers preparing to break ground

• Architects and engineers submitting site plans

• General contractors managing the build

• Civil design firms handling drainage and utility layout

• Municipal project partners and private-public developers

Where We Assist with Permitting Surveys

• Houston Metro – including Downtown, Galleria, Heights, and Energy Corridor

• Katy, Tomball, Cypress, and Spring

• The Woodlands, Conroe, and Montgomery County

• Baytown, Pasadena, and Deer Park

• Pearland, Alvin, and South Houston

Why Choose South Texas Surveying

• ✅ Decades of experience in commercial development surveys

• ✅ Familiar with permitting requirements in Houston and surrounding jurisdictions

• ✅ Reliable communication with design teams, engineers, and city officials

• ✅ Fast, accurate survey delivery tailored to permit approval timelines

• ✅ Professional, licensed surveyors who understand construction challenges

Permitting doesn’t have to be a roadblock. With a detailed land survey from South Texas Surveying, you can move from plan to permit to groundbreaking—faster, smoother, and with total confidence.