| Cadastral surveys are a type of land survey used | | | | surveying and other types of land surveys |
| to determine land ownership and boundaries. | | | | conducted on private or commercial land. |
| Cadastral surveys are usually conducted by the | | | | Typically, the term Cadastral has come to mean |
| government; the Public Land Survey System is | | | | surveys of the public lands of the United States. |
| one example of a large-scale cadastral survey. | | | | Today, most of the United States, particularly the |
| The term comes from the Latin 'Cadastre', or a | | | | west, has undergone a cadastral survey at some |
| registry of lands. Cadastral surveys date back | | | | point thanks to the Public Land Survey System, |
| hundreds of years. Often accepted as the first | | | | which formed the basis for original homesteading |
| modern cadastral survey is Napoleon's Domesday | | | | of the land. |
| Book in France. | | | | In the United States, cadastral surveys are nearly |
| Knowing exactly where your boundaries are is | | | | always conducted by the federal government, |
| important for many different activities. If you are | | | | particularly the Cadastral Surveys branch of the |
| considering building on your property, conduct a | | | | Bureau of Land Management. In states using the |
| cadastral survey so that you can be sure you're | | | | Public Land Survey System, which occurs mainly |
| not actually building on your neighbor's land. This | | | | in the western half of the United States, these |
| type of survey can ensure that fences and other | | | | surveys are conducted in accordance with PLSS |
| improvements are located in exactly the right | | | | standards. |
| position. Originally used to ensure reliable land | | | | The 'cadastre' or cadastral map that is the |
| valuation and taxation, today these surveys are | | | | product of such a survey shows details of the |
| mainly used to solve boundary disputes. | | | | ownership, the dimensions and area, and the |
| Land surveying is both an art and a science; this is | | | | precise location of the land. Cadastral maps |
| as true with cadastral surveys as it is for other | | | | typically focus on boundaries and ownership for |
| survey types. How are cadastral surveys | | | | each parcel of land. Some also show additional |
| conducted? This type of land survey involves first | | | | details like structures, streets, and other features |
| determining the historic boundaries of the land, | | | | on the land. The location may be stated in terms |
| through deeds and other descriptions. Then, the | | | | of townships and sections, as in the Public Land |
| surveyor measures the land itself in accordance | | | | Survey System, or with GPS coordinates, for |
| with the legal description of the property. | | | | some modern surveys. Cadastral surveys are |
| Boundaries are marked on the land itself in any | | | | used not only in the United States, but also by |
| number of ways. Finally, any discrepancies | | | | many nations worldwide. The terminology typically |
| between the historic boundaries of the land and | | | | used in a cadastral survey may include counties, |
| the boundaries according to the legal description | | | | parishes, sections, lots, blocks, and more. Because |
| are investigated. | | | | of its lengthy history, the terms involved are |
| Cadastral surveys are generally used for | | | | varied. The results of such a survey may be |
| public-use land, though cadastral survey methods | | | | displayed in a plat map. |
| have much in common with residential land | | | | |