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What’s Included in a Land Survey—and How to Read It

Got a Land Survey in Hand? Here’s What You’re Looking At

Whether you're buying property, planning an improvement, or finalizing a commercial deal, you'll likely receive a land survey as part of the process. But for many property owners, reading a survey document feels like decoding blueprints from another planet.

At South Texas Surveying, we not only deliver highly accurate surveys—we help clients understand what they mean. Let’s break down what’s included, why it matters, and how to read one confidently.

What’s Actually Included in a Professional Land Survey?

A standard boundary or improvement survey typically includes:

• 📐 Property boundary lines

• 📏 Lot dimensions and angles

• 📄 Legal description of the parcel

• 🏠 Locations of buildings, fences, driveways, or structures

• 🛤️ Easements, setbacks, and right-of-way locations

• 🧭 North arrow and scale

• 🗺️ Neighboring lot info, street names, and parcel ID numbers

• ✍️ Surveyor’s seal, date, and certification statement

📎 Depending on the survey type (boundary, ALTA, topographic), it may also include elevation data, zoning notations, floodplain lines, or utility infrastructure.

How to Read a Land Survey: Key Elements Explained

🧭 The North Arrow

Shows map orientation—always find this first.

📏 Scale

Tells you the ratio (e.g., 1 inch = 20 feet) so you know how distances translate to real-world space.

📐 Bearings and Distances

These are the angle and length of each property line, usually shown in degrees, minutes, and seconds (e.g., N 35°45'30" E 100.00').

🧱 Improvements

Structures like homes, garages, fences, and sheds are often outlined with dimensions and distances from lot lines.

🧾 Easements and Setbacks

Indicated with dashed lines or labels; these are areas where you can't build or encroach.

🌊 Floodplain Designations (if applicable)

Look for shaded or labeled areas—essential for buyers in flood-prone areas like parts of Galveston, Liberty, or Brazoria County.

Why This Information Matters

• ✅ For buyers: Know exactly what you’re buying

• ✅ For sellers: Avoid delays from boundary issues

• ✅ For homeowners: Plan additions, fences, or improvements safely

• ✅ For real estate pros: Catch red flags before closing

• ✅ For builders: Ensure structures meet legal and zoning standards

Common Mistakes When Reading Surveys

• ❌ Assuming a fence line = the property line (often it doesn't)

• ❌ Overlooking easements that block pool or garage placement

• ❌ Ignoring setback violations on older buildings

• ❌ Not realizing a portion of the land sits in a flood zone

• ❌ Using outdated surveys with expired certifications

📎 Always verify that your survey is recent and stamped by a licensed Texas surveyor.

Where Reading Your Survey Really Pays Off in the Houston Area

• Montgomery County: Elevation lines affect drainage and construction

• East Houston & Baytown: Industrial encroachments and utility easements are common

• Tomball & Cypress: Lot line shifts between newer and older developments

• The Heights & Midtown: Narrow lots and tight setbacks make accuracy critical

• Liberty & Waller Counties: Large rural tracts often lack updated legal descriptions

Why Clients Trust South Texas Surveying

✔️ Clear, detailed surveys tailored for buyers, sellers, investors, and builders
✔️ Explanations included—because understanding matters
✔️ Friendly team available to walk you through the document
✔️ Trusted across Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Liberty, Galveston, and Waller counties

📞 Need a survey you can read and rely on? South Texas Surveying is here to help.

A Land Survey Is More Than a Map—It’s Your Legal Blueprint

Whether you’re closing on a home, preparing to build, or clearing up an old title issue, your survey is a vital legal document. And like any contract or deed, it pays to understand what’s inside.

📍 Contact South Texas Surveying for clear, certified, and easy-to-read land surveys in Greater Houston and beyond.