Survey Monuments
Survey monuments, also known as property markers or boundary markers, play a crucial role in land surveying. These markers—often metal rods, concrete posts, or brass discs—are placed by licensed surveyors to establish property boundaries, public land divisions, and control points for mapping. Disturbing or removing these monuments is illegal, and for good reason.
The Importance of Survey Monuments
Survey monuments provide the foundation for accurate land ownership records, construction projects, and infrastructure development. They help prevent boundary disputes and ensure that land divisions remain consistent. Without them, property lines could shift, leading to legal conflicts and costly corrections.
Property Disputes
One of the most common causes of property disputes between neighbors is the misinterpretation or removal of survey monuments. Issues that can arise include:
Encroachments – A fence, driveway, or structure may be built over a property line due to a missing or moved monument.
Boundary Line Disputes – Without clear markers, neighbors may disagree on where one property ends and another begins, potentially leading to legal action.
Intentional Tampering – In some cases, a property owner may attempt to move or remove a survey monument, which is illegal and can result in fines or lawsuits.
If you’re involved in a boundary dispute, hiring a licensed surveyor to locate or restore the correct property lines is the best way to resolve the issue legally and fairly. Courts and local governments recognize official survey records as the authoritative source for property boundaries.
Why Survey Monuments Can Change
Over time, survey monuments may need to be updated or replaced due to land use developments, technology advancements, and natural wear. Some key reasons include:
Infrastructure Development – Road construction, utility work, and new developments often require surveys to be updated, which may involve resetting or replacing existing monuments.
Advancements in Technology – modern GPS and geodetic methods provide higher accuracy than older surveying techniques, sometimes leading to monument adjustments to reflect more precise boundary data.
Environmental Changes – natural events such as erosion, flooding, or seismic activity can shift the landscape, causing a reassessment of monument positions.
Legal Adjustments – property boundaries can be altered due to land subdivisions, annexations, or court rulings that require the placement of new survey markers.
Updating a monument must be done by a licensed land surveyor following legal procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy in boundary records.
Legal Consequences
Both federal and state laws protect survey monuments. In Washington State, RCW 58.04.015 makes it a crime to remove, deface, or destroy a survey monument. Violators can face fines, civil liability for damages, and even criminal charges.
What to Do If You Encounter a Survey Marker
If you come across a survey monument on your property or during a project:
Do not move or tamper with it, even unintentional damage can have legal consequences.
If the marker is in the way of construction, consult a licensed land surveyor. They can file the necessary paperwork and replace the monument correctly.
Report any missing or damaged markers. If you suspect a monument has been disturbed, notify local authorities or a surveying professional.
Survey markers help maintain order and accuracy in land ownership and development. Understanding their legal significance and taking steps to preserve them benefits property owners, developers, and communities alike. When in doubt, always consult a professional surveyor before making any changes.
- Jepson Team