Many homeowners may think they know every aspect of their property, such as precisely where it begins and ends, and who exactly has a right to enter, and where. This may not be the case, however. In reality, most property owners do not know the exact information about the boundaries of their property, which means they may need the expertise of a professional surveyor in some situations.
A registered land surveyor can help you settle common property disputes before they become real legal issues. In addition, they can provide zoning opinion letters, flood plain classifications and much more. Here are four of the many reasons why it may be beneficial to hire a registered land surveyor in Idaho:
- Establishing the boundary lines: One of the most common reasons property owners seek the expertise of a registered land surveyor in Idaho is to determine the location of boundary lines on their property. This may be needed if you are considering building a fence, adding an additional room to your home or paving your driveway. Establishing the boundary lines is crucial so you know where your property truly begins and ends. Before any building can begin, you want to ensure that you are building on your own property, as opposed to your neighbor’s.
- Establishing rights of way: Through conducting a survey, a registered land surveyor will be able to identify any conditions that are imposed by law and reflected in the title report of your property—even if those conditions are unexpected or unusual. This means that if your property blocks your neighbors’ access to a nearby road, for example, there could be an old agreement that states that your neighbor has the right to walk across your property in order to access that road. By consulting a land surveyor in Idaho, you will then be aware of any laws or regulations that could potentially affect you and your property.
- Evaluating existing improvements: A registered land surveyor will be able to certify that the buildings and any other improvements or repairs to your property that exist at the time of the survey are not in violation of any laws. This could include evaluating your property against restrictions concerning height, bulk, dimension, frontage, building lines, setbacks, parking and more. A surveyor can also tell you if any improvements are in violation of any current laws, and what will need to be done for your property to be in compliance.
- Classifications for zoning: You are most likely aware of whether your property is zoned for residential, industrial or commercial use, but these zoning classifications can have unexpected effects on how you are able to use your property. This information could be especially important if you are considering operating a small business out of your home or garage. By having a land surveyor in Idaho visit your property, you can obtain a report detailing your zoning jurisdiction and classification. After this is done, you may want to consult an attorney to ensure that you are using the property in accordance with local zoning ordinances.
Any time you need an experienced land surveyor in Idaho, we hope you’ll get in touch with Mason & Stanfield, Inc. We have more than 25 years of experience and look forward to handling all of your surveying needs.