MO Land Surveyor cheat sheet

Priority of evidence in retracement: (1) natural monuments, (2) artificial monuments, (3) courses and distances, (4) area or quantity. This hierarchy is applied when no conflict exists with the original survey.

A monument set by the original surveyor controls over a later measurement that disagrees, because original monuments are the best evidence of the boundary location.

When a deed calls for a monument and also gives courses and distances, the monument prevails unless it is clearly erroneous (e.g., a call to a tree that no longer exists at the described location).

Adverse possession in Missouri requires actual, open, notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous possession for the statutory period (typically 10 years under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.010 for recovery of land).

Boundary by acquiescence in Missouri: long-standing recognition of a boundary line by both parties, even if not the true line, can establish the boundary if the parties treated it as such for a period sufficient to bar an action (often 10 years).

When a river is a boundary, Missouri follows the rule that accretion belongs to the riparian owner, while avulsion (sudden change) does not change the boundary.

For a boundary retracement, the surveyor must locate the original corners and lines; if corners are lost, they may be reestablished by proportionate measurement from known corners, using the original record distances.

A discrepancy in a deed description between a call for a natural monument and a call for an artificial monument: natural monument generally controls over artificial monument, and both control over courses and distances.

In retracement, the surveyor should search for evidence of the original survey (e.g., bearing trees, corner accessories) and evaluate the reliability of each monument before using it as control.

Missouri Minimum Standards for Property Boundary Surveys are codified in 20 CSR 2030-16, promulgated by the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Professional Landscape Architects.

The minimum standards require a written contract or agreement that defines the scope of services, and a survey report or plat that includes specific items (e.g., basis of bearings, monuments set, area, and a statement of the surveyor's opinion).

The Missouri survey plat must show the seal and signature of the professional land surveyor, the date of survey, and a north arrow with basis of bearings.

Under 20 CSR 2030-16, the surveyor must set monuments at all corners of the property unless they are impractical; if not set, the reason must be stated on the plat.

Missouri requires that a land surveyor be licensed by the Missouri Board (20 CSR 2030-13 et seq.); licensure requires education, experience, and examination (NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practice of Surveying).

The Missouri statute on survey monuments is Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.150 et seq., which addresses the setting of monuments and the duties of surveyors regarding corners.

Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 60 covers surveyors and surveys, including the authority to establish corners and the requirement to file a plat or record of survey with the county recorder in certain cases.

Continuing professional competency (CPC) is required for Missouri license renewal; the specific hours and categories are set by the Board in 20 CSR 2030-13.010.

A Missouri land surveyor's seal must be affixed to all final plats, reports, and documents prepared by the surveyor or under their direct supervision.

NAD83 (North American Datum of 1983) is the current horizontal datum for Missouri; it is based on the GRS80 ellipsoid. NAD27 used the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid.

Missouri has a State Plane Coordinate System with two zones: East and West. The East Zone uses a Lambert Conformal Conic projection; the West Zone also uses Lambert Conformal Conic with different parameters.

The Missouri State Plane Coordinate System is defined in Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.401 et seq. (Missouri Coordinate System Act), which gives legal status to coordinates.

A map projection distorts scale; the scale factor at a point is the ratio of grid distance to ellipsoid distance. For Lambert Conformal Conic, scale is exact on two standard parallels and varies elsewhere.

The combined factor = grid scale factor × elevation factor, where elevation factor = R/(R+h) (R = earth radius, h = ellipsoid height). Ground distance = grid distance / combined factor.

Geoid modeling: NAVD88 orthometric heights are derived from GNSS ellipsoid heights using a geoid model (e.g., GEOID18). The difference is the geoid undulation N: h = H + N.

Latitude/longitude to State Plane conversion requires datum, zone, and projection parameters; Missouri East and West zones have defined false easting and northing and standard parallels.

The Missouri State Plane Coordinate System is based on NAD83 (or its later realizations, such as NAD83(2011)); coordinates from different realizations may differ by up to a meter or more.

When using GNSS for boundary surveys, the surveyor must transform from the reference frame (e.g., NAD83) to the project datum and verify with a network of control points.

Total station horizontal angle measurement: the instrument measures zenith angle and slope distance; horizontal distance = slope distance × sin(zenith) and vertical distance = slope distance × cos(zenith).

EDM accuracy is often specified as ±(a + b ppm); for a distance D in km, the error is approximately a mm + b ppm × D. Example: ±(2 mm + 2 ppm) at 1 km gives ±4 mm.

Traverse closure: linear misclosure = √(ΔE² + ΔN²); relative precision = linear misclosure / total traverse length. Missouri minimum standards may require a certain precision (e.g., 1:5,000 or better for boundary surveys).

Angular misclosure in a closed traverse with n angles: sum of interior angles = (n-2)×180°; misclosure is the difference between measured sum and theoretical sum. Distribute correction equally if within tolerance.

GNSS RTK vertical accuracy is typically 2-3 times worse than horizontal; for orthometric heights, a geoid model is required, and accuracy depends on the geoid model and baseline length.

Instrument leveling: a level vial is adjusted so the bubble stays in the center when the instrument is rotated 180°; if not, half the error is corrected with the vial adjustment screws.

Pacing and taping: a steel tape is standardized at a specific tension and temperature; corrections for tension, temperature, and sag are applied for precise measurements. Temperature correction = L × α × (T - T0), where α ≈ 0.00000645/°F for steel.

A prism constant must be set correctly on the total station; using a prism with a different constant introduces a systematic offset in all distances. Typical constants are 0 mm or -30 mm.

For high-accuracy work, use a total station with an angular accuracy of at least 5 seconds and an EDM with ±(2 mm + 2 ppm) or better; calibrate instruments regularly.

The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) divides land into townships (6 miles square) and sections (1 mile square, 640 acres). Missouri is largely covered by the PLSS, except for some private claims and Spanish/Mexican land grants.

Township numbering: townships are numbered north from the baseline, and ranges are numbered east or west from the principal meridian. Missouri uses the Fifth Principal Meridian (5th PM) as the principal meridian for most of the state.

Section subdivision: a section is divided into quarter sections (160 acres), quarter-quarter sections (40 acres), etc. The legal description must follow the order: quarter-quarter, quarter, section, township, range.

Correction lines and standard parallels are used in the PLSS to account for convergence; every fourth township line is a correction line, and standard parallels are established at intervals.

Missouri subdivision law: Chapter 445, RSMo, governs plats and subdivisions. A subdivision plat must be approved by the governing body and recorded; it must show lots, streets, easements, and other required information.

The Missouri Plat Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 445.010 et seq.) requires that a plat of a subdivision be prepared by a registered land surveyor and include a certificate of survey and dedication.

When retracing PLSS corners, the surveyor must follow the rules in the Manual of Surveying Instructions (2009) for reestablishment of lost corners, including single proportionate measurement and double proportionate measurement.

A quarter-section corner is established at the midpoint of the section line between section corners, unless original evidence shows otherwise; if lost, it may be reestablished by proportionate measurement between the nearest identified corners.

In subdivision design, lot lines and blocks must comply with local zoning ordinances; the surveyor should check for minimum lot size, setbacks, and street right-of-way requirements.

Contour lines connect points of equal elevation; the contour interval is the vertical distance between adjacent contours. Index contours are heavier and labeled with elevation.

For topographic mapping, breaklines should be collected at grade changes (e.g., top and bottom of slopes, edges of pavement) to accurately model the terrain.

Construction staking: horizontal alignment is set by station and offset; vertical alignment by grade. Cut/fill = design elevation - existing ground elevation (cut is positive, fill is negative).

Slope stakes: the catch point is where the design slope intersects existing ground. The distance from centerline to catch point = (centerline cut/fill) / (slope difference) for a constant cross slope.

As-built surveys compare constructed improvements to design plans; the surveyor documents deviations and provides a record of horizontal and vertical locations.

Volume computation methods include average end area, prismoidal, and composite; the average end area method: V = L × (A1 + A2)/2, where A1 and A2 are cross-sectional areas at the ends of length L.

GNSS and total station data for topographic mapping must be referenced to a consistent datum and coordinate system; for construction, the project datum may be assumed, but must be clearly noted.

Machine control and 3D modeling require accurate digital terrain models (DTMs); the surveyor should ensure the DTM is built from breaklines and spot shots, not just a random point cloud.

Missouri minimum standards for topographic surveys (if applicable) may require a stated contour interval and accuracy; the surveyor should specify the vertical accuracy and method.

Missouri professional land surveyors must adhere to the Code of Ethics in 20 CSR 2030-4.020, which includes obligations to the public, clients, and the profession.

A surveyor may not practice outside their area of competence; if a project requires expertise they lack, they should associate with a qualified professional.

Conflicts of interest must be avoided or disclosed; a surveyor may not accept compensation from multiple parties for the same service without full disclosure and consent.

The surveyor's seal and signature certify that the work was done by them or under their direct supervision; sealing work not performed by them is unethical and illegal.

Missouri requires written contracts for professional services; the contract should define scope, deliverables, schedule, and fees. Contingent fees based on the outcome of a survey are generally unethical.

Records retention: surveyors should retain field notes, calculations, and other records for a period consistent with statute and good practice; Missouri does not specify a single retention period, but 7-10 years is common.

Professional liability: surveyors should carry errors and omissions insurance; the statute of limitations for negligence in Missouri is generally 5 years (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120).

Business structure: a land surveyor may practice as a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, or corporation; Missouri requires that the professional services be under the responsible charge of a licensed surveyor.

Ethical advertising: surveyors may advertise but must not make false or misleading statements about their qualifications or services; they should not claim official affiliation with any government agency.