Land surveying in Kentucky

• Boundary Survey: Property corners will be located and verified or reset. The improvements on the property will be located and a check for violations or encroachments onto or from the subject property will be made. This survey may be used by the property owner for the construction of a fence or other improvement. Flood plain certification is restricted to a review of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), and shall not be construed as a confirmation or denial of flooding potential.[1]
• Mortgage Inspection: The purpose of this inspection is to obtain mortgage title insurance. It is a location of improvements and cursory check for violations or encroachments onto or from the subject property based on existing but not confirmed evidence. This does not constitute a boundary survey; no property corners will be set and, it should not be used or relied upon for the establishment of any fence, structure or other improvement. Flood plain certification is restricted to a review of the FIRM and shall not be construed as a confirmation or denial of flooding potential.[2]
• ALTA/ACSM Survey: This is the most comprehensive type of survey and improvement location. It covers all the aspects of the boundary survey and improvement location and identification for any additional evidence of possession or use which could be adverse to the interest of the purchaser. This survey may include definitive statements regarding the flooding potential in addition to a review of FIRM.[3][4]

Each of Kentucky's 120 counties elects a county surveyor. However, a consumer can seek services from any licensed Kentucky professional land surveyor. The status of a licensee or firm can be verified online,[5] including checking for disciplinary actions in the past 5 years.[6]

Land surveyors and employees that are under the supervision of a professional land surveyor have the right of entry on land of others.[7]

Land surveying in Kentucky is regulated by the Commonwealth in KRS 322.[8] The Standards of Practice are defined in 201 KAR 18:150.[9] Compliance is maintained by the Kentucky Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors,[10] which was established by an Act of the Kentucky General Assembly in 1938.[10]

Common surveying measures in Kentucky include acre and the survey foot, which are both now referenced in decimal and historically in fraction. For example, a modern survey should list a distance of one-foot and six-inches as 1.50 feet. Historically lengths were also measured as chain and rod. A rod is also known as a pole, both being 16.5 feet. A chain is most commonly 66 feet (4 poles) but can also be 33 feet (2 poles).