Florida Land Survey Laws

• In Florida, land surveyor licensing is monitored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.survey equipment image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  Land surveying determines property boundaries and is used to settle legal disputes over land-use issues and property ownership. Whenever property use is changed, road work performed, purchased, sold or construction begun, proper land surveying must be performed. Surveying is also used for insurance purposes and relating architectural plans to the real world. Under Florida State Statute Chapters 120, 177, and 472, detailed laws are in place concerning the training, licensing and procedural standards for all land surveyors working in Florida.
  
  

Education and Licensing

• A Florida license requires at least four years on-the-job experience.theodolite survey serie 6 image by Kostyantyn Ivanyshen from Fotolia.com
  
  Florida land surveyors must be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). There are two types of licenses issued: professional surveyor and mapper (LS), and surveying and mapping business (LB). All surveyors need a LS license and those opening a surveying business will also need an LB license. Licensing prerequisites include: a four year surveying and mapping degree from an accredited college and four years experience with a licensed surveyor, or at least 25 credits in surveying and mapping from an accredited college and five years experience with a licensed surveyor. In Florida, there are three separate tests required for licensing: fundamentals of surveying, principles and practices of surveying and the Florida jurisdictional multiple choice.
  
  

General Land Survey Laws

• Florida law respects a 7 1/2-foot to10-foot buffer zone between properties, called a property setback. Also, land bordering public property, as in a street, requires a 5-foot to 10-foot easement giving the public entity right of way for improvement or repairs. Florida land surveyors have the right to go on third-party land in performance of their duties only and cannot change the land or move monuments in any way; doing so would be unethical and considered illegal trespass. Most surveying violations carry professional penalties, as well as first-degree misdemeanor charges. In the case of property disputes, the initiator of the dispute is responsible for hiring a surveyor, but it is suggested both parties retain a surveyor. Most disputes can be settled between the two parties or in civil court.
  
  

Other Legal Considerations

• According to Florida State Statute 472.0365, it is illegal to misrepresent oneself as a land surveyor. Authorities will issue a cease and desist order before taking further legal actions. This law also applies to surveyors whose license has expired or is suspended. Out-of-state surveyors/mappers must apply for a temporary Florida license before beginning a project in the state. Forging of plans or documents by a licensed surveyor is grounds for suspension, permanent license revocation and possible legal action. Florida surveyors are to be bonded to provide for professional liability insurance.