AR Land Surveyor cheat sheet

Arkansas boundary surveys must comply with the Arkansas Minimum Standards for Property Boundary Surveys (Ark. Code Ann. § 17-48-101 et seq.).

Adverse possession in Arkansas requires 7 years of actual, open, notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous possession under color of title (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-11-106).

Prescriptive easement in Arkansas requires 7 years of adverse use that is open, notorious, exclusive, and continuous (Ark. Code Ann. § 18-11-106).

Arkansas recording statute is race-notice: a subsequent purchaser prevails if they record first without notice of prior unrecorded interests (Ark. Code Ann. § 14-15-404).

A surveyor's duty of care is to the client and to the public; negligence claims require proof of duty, breach, causation, and damages.

The Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors regulates surveyor licensure and discipline (Ark. Code Ann. § 17-30-101 et seq.).

Boundary establishment by acquiescence requires mutual recognition of a line by adjoining landowners for a period sufficient to bar an action (often 7 years).

When a deed is ambiguous, Arkansas courts consider the intent of the parties, the circumstances, and the rules of construction (e.g., natural monuments prevail over artificial monuments).

Rules of evidence for boundary retracement: natural monuments > artificial monuments > courses and distances > area.

A monument set by the original surveyor is presumed correct unless proven otherwise; misplaced monuments do not control.

Retracement follows the footsteps of the original surveyor; do not create new lines unless the original is lost or obliterated.

Proportionate measurement is used to restore lost corners in the PLSS by distributing the discrepancy in the original measurements proportionally along the line.

For a lost interior section corner, proportion between the nearest identified corners on each line (e.g., double proportionate measurement).

A deed line that is ambiguous may be resolved by the intent of the parties as shown by the deed, plat, and circumstances.

Riparian boundaries follow the thread of the stream (middle of the main channel) unless the deed specifies otherwise; accretion belongs to the riparian owner.

When a call for a monument conflicts with a distance, the monument generally controls if it is the original monument.

Horizontal distance = slope distance × cos(vertical angle) when vertical angle is measured from horizontal.

Vertical distance = slope distance × sin(vertical angle).

Traverse closure: linear error of closure = sqrt((Σdepartures)^2 + (Σlatitudes)^2); relative precision = linear error / total perimeter.

Latitude = distance × cos(azimuth); Departure = distance × sin(azimuth).

Azimuth = back azimuth ± 180° (add or subtract 360° to keep in 0–360°).

Area by coordinate method: 2A = Σ(X_i * Y_{i+1} - X_{i+1} * Y_i) (shoelace formula).

Curve elements: R = 5729.578 / D (D in degrees); T = R tan(Δ/2); L = R Δ (Δ in radians) = 100 Δ / D; LC = 2R sin(Δ/2).

For a circular curve, external distance E = R (sec(Δ/2) - 1); middle ordinate M = R (1 - cos(Δ/2)).

Instrument leveling: elevation difference = backsight - foresight; height of instrument = elevation + backsight.

NAD83 is the horizontal datum for Arkansas; NAVD88 is the vertical datum.

Arkansas State Plane Coordinate System: North Zone (FIPS 0301) uses Lambert Conformal Conic; South Zone (FIPS 0302) uses Transverse Mercator.

Scale factor = grid distance / ground distance; combined factor = grid scale factor × elevation factor.

Elevation factor = R / (R + h), where R is Earth's radius and h is ellipsoidal height.

Geodetic azimuth = grid azimuth + convergence angle (θ); convergence is positive west of central meridian in northern hemisphere.

Latitude/Longitude to State Plane: use projection equations (Lambert or Transverse Mercator) with datum parameters.

Ellipsoid models: GRS80 (NAD83) vs. Clarke 1866 (NAD27); transformation between datums requires a datum shift (e.g., NADCON).

UTM zones: Arkansas spans zones 14, 15, and 16; UTM is Transverse Mercator with a scale factor of 0.9996 at central meridian.

Geoid model (GEOID18) converts ellipsoidal heights to orthometric heights: H = h - N.

A subdivision plat must show bearings and distances of all lines, curve data, lot areas, and monument locations.

Arkansas requires plat approval by the local planning commission and recording with the circuit clerk (Ark. Code Ann. § 14-56-401 et seq.).

Plat must include a certificate of survey by a licensed surveyor, owner's dedication, and acknowledgment.

Metes and bounds descriptions must close within an acceptable precision (e.g., 1:10,000 or better) and be self-contained.

Floodplain and wetland delineations must be shown on plats when required by local ordinance.

Easements and rights-of-way must be clearly denoted with widths and bearings.

Lot area calculations use the coordinate method; check for closure and area accuracy.

Plat vacation requires approval by the governing body and recording of the vacating instrument.

Surveyors must avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts to clients.

Confidential client information must not be disclosed without consent, except as required by law.

Competence: only accept assignments within one's expertise or after obtaining necessary expertise.

Written contracts should define scope, deliverables, schedule, and fee structure.

Professional liability insurance (errors and omissions) is recommended; Arkansas does not mandate it for licensure.

Lien rights: surveyors may file a mechanic's lien for unpaid services under Ark. Code Ann. § 18-44-101 et seq.

Ethical obligations include honesty, fairness, and avoiding deceptive practices; report violations to the Board.

Continuing professional competency (CPC) requirements: Arkansas requires 15 PDH per renewal period (biennial).