ME Land Surveyor cheat sheet

Retracement surveys locate existing boundaries; they do not create new ones. The surveyor follows the footsteps of the original surveyor, giving controlling weight to original monuments over distances, and distances over area.

Priority of evidence (Maine practice): natural monuments > artificial monuments > courses and distances > area. However, when a call for a monument conflicts with a distance in the original deed, the monument generally prevails if it is original or identified with certainty.

Adverse possession in Maine: 20 years of actual, open, notorious, exclusive, and continuous possession under a claim of right (14 M.R.S. § 801 et seq.). Color of title may extend possession to the entire parcel described (14 M.R.S. § 816).

Boundary by acquiescence: Maine recognizes the doctrine when adjoining owners treat a line as the boundary for a long period (typically 20 years), even without adverse intent, if the true boundary is uncertain.

Water boundaries: Maine is a title state; the state owns submerged lands below the mean low-water mark of tidal waters and below the natural low-water mark of great ponds over 10 acres. Riparian rights follow the water's edge; accretion belongs to the upland owner, avulsion does not change the boundary.

Easements by prescription require 20 years of use that is open, notorious, adverse, and continuous. Maine also recognizes easements by implication and necessity; necessity requires unity of title and strict necessity at the time of severance.

Rule of practical location: when a boundary is uncertain, the location agreed upon and acted upon by the parties is binding. This differs from acquiescence, which relies on silence and lapse of time.

Deed construction: specific calls control general calls; courses and distances yield to monuments; a call to an adjoining owner's line may be a call for a monument (the line itself) if the adjoining boundary is established.

Monument types: natural (trees, rocks, watercourses), artificial (iron pins, stone bounds, concrete monuments), and documentary (deeds, plats, field notes). Original monuments set by the first surveyor carry the highest weight; subsequent (non-original) monuments are secondary evidence.

Maine monumentation rules: 32 M.R.S. § 13921 requires a surveyor to set permanent monuments at all corners of a surveyed parcel unless waived in writing by the client. Monuments must be detectable and of a type approved by the Board.

Records sources in Maine: Registry of Deeds (deeds, plans), Maine Revenue Services parcel data, local tax maps, town clerks (vital records, road layouts), Maine State Archives, and the Board of Registration for Land Surveyors.

Chain of title: a complete chain traces ownership back to the original source (e.g., the Plymouth Company or the State) and must account for all conveyances, including probate, foreclosure, and tax liens.

Evidence hierarchy for boundary location: original monuments > undisturbed evidence of original survey (blazes, bearing trees, pits) > subsequent monuments > courses and distances > area > hearsay (reputation of boundary).

Field evidence preservation: when a monument is found, do not remove it; record its position, type, condition, and relation to the survey. If a monument must be disturbed, replace it and document the replacement.

Deed research: check for exceptions, reservations, easements, and ambiguities; compare the deed description with the plat and field notes; verify grantor/grantee names and signatures; check for unrecorded instruments.

Statute of limitations for boundary actions in Maine: 20 years for recovery of land (14 M.R.S. § 801). A surveyor should research adverse possession and prescriptive easement claims as part of the record.

Licensure: 32 M.R.S. § 13901 et seq. governs land surveyors in Maine. A license is required to practice land surveying or to offer to practice. The Board of Registration for Land Surveyors administers the law.

Licensing requirements: education (typically a bachelor's degree in surveying or related field), experience (minimum 4 years of progressive surveying experience under a licensed surveyor), and passage of the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practice of Surveying exams, plus a Maine-specific law exam.

Continuing education: Maine requires 15 PDH (professional development hours) per renewal cycle (2 years), including at least 2 hours in ethics and 1 hour in Maine surveying law. Renewal is biennial by December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Seal and signature: a licensed surveyor must seal and sign all final plats, reports, and surveys. The seal must include the surveyor's name, license number, and the words "Licensed Land Surveyor, State of Maine." Digital seals are permitted if secure.

Standards of practice: Board rules (02-322 CMR) require that surveys be performed with care and competence, that monuments be set, that field notes and records be retained for at least 7 years, and that the surveyor disclose any conflicts of interest.

Disciplinary grounds: fraud, negligence, incompetence, violation of Board rules, conviction of a crime involving dishonesty, and practicing while impaired. The Board may suspend, revoke, or fine.

Mandatory reporting: a surveyor who discovers a boundary discrepancy that affects the public or a client must report it to the affected parties; the Board may require notification of errors.

Statutory authority for right of entry: 32 M.R.S. § 13925 grants surveyors the right to enter private land for survey purposes after reasonable notice, with liability for damages.

Coordinate geometry: latitude = distance × cos(bearing), departure = distance × sin(bearing). Inverse: distance = √(Δnorthing² + Δeasting²); bearing = atan2(Δeasting, Δnorthing).

Traverse closure: for a closed traverse, Σ latitudes = 0 and Σ departures = 0. Linear error of closure = √(Σlat² + Σdep²). Relative precision = linear error / perimeter.

Compass rule (Bowditch): distribute latitude and departure errors proportionally to the length of each course. Correction for each course = (course length / perimeter) × total error.

Transit rule: distribute errors proportionally to the latitude and departure of each course (not length). Used when angles are more precise than distances.

Least squares adjustment: minimizes the sum of squared residuals; provides error ellipses and standard deviations. Requires a mathematical model (observation equations) and stochastic model (weights).

Area computation: coordinate method (shoelace formula): 2A = Σ(X_i × Y_{i+1} − X_{i+1} × Y_i). Traverse area can also be computed by double meridian distances (DMD).

Horizontal curves: for a circular curve, T = R tan(Δ/2), L = RΔ (Δ in radians), C = 2R sin(Δ/2), M = R(1 − cos(Δ/2)).

Vertical curves: parabola formula: elevation at any point = PVC elevation + g1x + (r/2)x², where r = (g2 − g1)/L. High/low point at x = −g1/r.

Trigonometry: law of sines a/sin A = b/sin B = c/sin C; law of cosines c² = a² + b² − 2ab cos C. Bearing to azimuth conversion: NE = azimuth, SE = 180° − bearing, SW = 180° + bearing, NW = 360° − bearing.

Total station: measures horizontal and vertical angles and slope distance; computes horizontal and vertical distances. Accuracy depends on calibration, atmospheric correction, and prism constant.

GNSS/GPS: RTK (real-time kinematic) provides centimeter accuracy; requires a base station or network (Maine CORS). Static GNSS for control; accuracy depends on satellite geometry (PDOP < 6), multipath, and ionospheric conditions.

Leveling: differential leveling uses a level and rod; loop closure error should be within allowable limits (e.g., 0.05 ft × √miles for ordinary leveling). Trigonometric leveling uses total station vertical angles and distances.

Traverse procedures: close traverses on known control; use 2 sets of angles (direct and reverse); measure distances with EDM; record field notes with weather, instrument, and personnel.

Monument setting: set permanent monuments at all corners; use iron pins or concrete monuments as specified by the Board; record ties to nearby features (bearing and distance) for future recovery.

Quality control: check angular closure (e.g., ≤ 5″√n for a traverse of n angles), linear closure (relative precision 1:5,000 for rural, 1:10,000 for urban), and repeat measurements.

UAV/drone surveying: photogrammetry or LiDAR for topographic mapping; requires ground control points; accuracy depends on GCP distribution and flight parameters. Not a substitute for boundary monument location.

Coordinate systems: Maine uses the State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) with two zones: East (3001) and West (3002), based on NAD83. UTM Zone 19 is also used. Know the projection and datum transformations.

Subdivision law in Maine: 30-A M.R.S. § 4401 et seq. (Subdivision Statute) requires local approval for divisions of land into 3 or more lots within a 5-year period. The Planning Board reviews and approves subdivision plats.

Plat requirements: 30-A M.R.S. § 4403 specifies the content of a subdivision plat, including lot lines, dimensions, areas, roads, easements, monuments, and a certificate of surveyor and owner.

Cadastral maps: tax maps are not legal boundaries; they are for assessment purposes. They must show parcel boundaries, lot numbers, acreage, and road names, and be updated annually.

Maine Coordinate System: 33 M.R.S. § 801 et seq. defines the Maine State Plane Coordinate System. Coordinates may be used to describe boundaries if the datum and zone are stated and the monument ties are given.

Plat recording: subdivision plats must be recorded in the Registry of Deeds after approval. The surveyor's seal and signature are required. The plat must include a north arrow, scale, and vicinity map.

Lot area and frontage: local zoning ordinances set minimum lot area and frontage. Shoreland zoning (38 M.R.S. § 435 et seq.) imposes additional setbacks and lot standards near water bodies.

Easements and rights-of-way: plats must show existing and proposed easements, road rights-of-way, and utility corridors. Road construction standards are set by local road ordinances.

Condominium and lease: Maine Condominium Act (33 M.R.S. § 1601 et seq.) requires a plat and declaration for condominium units; the surveyor may prepare the plat showing unit boundaries and common elements.

Ethical standards: land surveyors must act with honesty, integrity, and objectivity; avoid conflicts of interest; disclose any financial interest in the property; and maintain confidentiality of client information.

Competence: a surveyor must perform only work for which they are qualified; if not competent, they must associate with a qualified professional or decline the engagement.

Contracts: use written contracts that define scope, deliverables, fee, schedule, and limitations. Include a limitation of liability clause where permitted by law; Maine does not allow indemnification for a surveyor's own negligence in some contexts.

Business entities: a land surveying business must be licensed; a professional corporation or LLC may be used, but the surveyor of record must be licensed. Sole proprietorships must register with the Secretary of State.

Liability and insurance: professional liability insurance (errors and omissions) is recommended; statutes of limitation for negligence in Maine are 6 years (14 M.R.S. § 752) and statutes of repose for improvements to real property (10 years, 14 M.R.S. § 752-A).

Records retention: keep field notes, calculations, and correspondence for at least 7 years (Board rule). Provide copies to clients upon request; maintain confidentiality.

Fee and billing: fees should be based on the scope of work; avoid contingent fees for boundary location that could compromise objectivity. Maine does not prohibit contingent fees but they are ethically risky.

Public protection: a surveyor must report to the Board any known violation of the licensing law by another surveyor; failure to do so may be a violation.