South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 49 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION- SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
Article 4 - STANDARDS OF PRACTICE MANUAL FOR SURVEYING IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Section 49-460 - Survey Types and Requirements

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 49-460

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024

A. General Property Surveys: The following general requirements apply to all survey types included in this manual, other than GIS Surveys and Photogrametric Surveys (see section 49-460D and section 49-460E of these standards for the general requirements of these surveys).

(1) The size of the plat should conform to the requirements of the Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds or the Register of Mesne Conveyance of the county in which the plat is to be recorded with minimum size to be eight and one-half inches by eleven inches.

(2) All survey plats shall have a title and contain the following information:

(a) The seal and the signature of the Surveyor in responsible charge for the full conduct of the survey;

(b) A location map and/or adequate descriptive location of the property surveyed;

(d) The name of the owner, company or agent of the property who requested the survey document;

(e) The date the field survey was completed;

(f) A graphic scale;

(g) A numerical scale;

(h) The name, license number, address and phone number of the land surveyor.

(i) A certification executed by the Surveyor which will contain a statement of the class of the survey performed as follows:

"I hereby state that to the best of my professional knowledge, information, and belief, the survey shown hereon was made in accordance with the requirements of the Standards of Practice Manual for Surveying in South Carolina, and meets or exceeds the requirements for a Class _ survey as specified therein."

(j) The area of the parcel of tract surveyed will be shown consistent with the class of survey or at least to the nearest one-hundredth (0.01) of an acre.

(k) At least one corner of the property surveyed shall be referenced so as to form a tie-line which can be used to help establish or verify the correct location of the property.

(l) The distances to the nearest intersections of street centerlines or street right-of-way intersections shall be shown on the survey document.

(m) The North arrow shall be shown and shall be correlated accurately with the courses so that it is accurately positioned and designated as astronomic, grid or magnetic or record source.

(n) All property lines shall be defined by bearings and horizontal distances and plotted to the scale indicated on the plat.

(o) Bearings and distances shall be shown consistent with the class of the survey.

(p) The Land Surveyor shall retrace the boundaries of the property being surveyed and set or reset monuments or corners consistent with the class of survey and accepted practices of boundary retracement. All monuments found or placed must be described in detail on the survey plat or drawing, with data given to show their location upon the ground in relation to the boundary lines. When a property corner is inaccessible and cannot be set, a witness or reference monument shall be placed on the boundary line and the offset distance noted on the survey document, plat or drawing. Control corners, monuments or property corners, on adjoining properties, used in the establishment or verification of property corners, shall be identified, located and defined, by course and distance, to an accuracy consistent with the class of survey. Primary reference materials which provide the basis for the establishment of survey boundaries shall be listed on the face of the plat.

(q) All new or re-established corners shall be in accordance with 49-470 F:

1. Metal, concrete, or other durable material and detectable with conventional instruments for finding ferrous or magnetic objects;

2. No less than 1/2 inch in diameter for metal corners and 4 inches in diameter for concrete;

3. No less than 24 inches in length;

4. If the corner location falls on pavement, concrete, or other material where one of the above cannot be placed, it is permissible to use nails, spikes, scribes, etc. in or on the surface;

5. In place prior to the signing, sealing and issuance of the plat.

(r) Where a boundary is formed by a curved line, the curve will be defined by curve data to include the radius, delta, arc length and the long chord, by course and distance. The curve may also be defined as a traverse of chords around curve. Chord shall be defined by course and distance.

(s) All visible items across the property line shall be indicated with their extent shown or noted on the survey plat/map. The use of the words projection or encroachment shall be at the discretion of the surveyor.

(t) Visible indications of easements and rights-of-way on the site (i.e. power lines, etc.), obvious and apparent at the time of the survey or known to the surveyor, shall be shown and shall include their widths, if known.

(u) Cemeteries and burial ground located within the premises surveyed shall be located and shown upon the drawing, plat or map if obvious and apparent observed by the surveyor at the time of the survey, or if knowledge of their existence and location is furnished to the land surveyor prior to or during the performance of the survey.

(v) Lot and block numbers and/or the full names of adjoining land owners, and the names and/or numbers of principal highways, roads, streets or railroads, shall be shown, on the plat, with their rights-of-way. The plat book and page number of the subdivision as recorded by the Register of Mesne Conveyance, Register of Deeds or Clerk of Court of the county where the survey document is recorded should be included, if known.

(w) Boundaries formed by water courses shall be located and plotted to scale as shown in the title.

(x) If calculated lines are not shown, traverse lines and/or off-set lines used to close water course boundaries shall be shown, plotted to scale, and defined by course and distance. Note "Creek the line" where applicable.

(y) Maps prepared partially or entirely from reference or source data, such as compiled maps, do not represent land surveys as defined herein, and shall be clearly marked accordingly. Compiled maps must have a prominently displayed statement that the said document does not represent a land survey and is unsuitable for deeding of property or recordation.

(z) Plot plans representing planned locations prepared for city, county, state, federal governmental or other uses may be signed and sealed. A prominent statement shall be placed on the face of the document stating "This plot plan does not represent a land survey, was not prepared for recordation, and is not suitable for deeding of property. No ground survey was performed."

B. Closing/Loan or Mortgage Surveys: In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 49-460 A., General Property Surveys, the following applies to closing/loan or mortgage surveys:

(1) If a survey is all or a portion of a lot which is part of or adjoining a recorded subdivision, lot and block numbers or other designations including those of adjoining lots must be shown on the drawing.

(2) Structures shall be dimensioned to show size and location in relation to the boundary.

(3) Location distances are to be measured perpendicular from the closest side and front lines.

(4) Physical features obvious and apparent at the time of the survey to the surveyor such as storm drains, power lines, etc. on the subject property shall be shown and plotted to scale.

(5) Accuracy requirements of residential lots shall be consistent with the class of survey or a maximum closure of 0.05 foot, whichever is less restrictive.

(6) A certification shall be executed by the Surveyor as follows:

"I hereby state that to the best of my professional knowledge, information, and belief, the survey shown herein was made in accordance with the requirements of the Standards of Practice Manual for Surveying in South Carolina, and meets or exceeds the requirements for a Class _ survey as specified therein; also there are no visible encroachments or projections other than shown."

C. Topographical Surveys: The following applies to topographical surveys:

(1) Structures shall be shown in relation to the boundary.

(2) Physical features obvious and apparent at the time of the survey to the surveyor such as storm drains, sanitary sewers, power lines, gas lines and water lines on the subject property shall be shown and plotted to scale.

(3) Elevations may be shown as spot elevations and/or contours.

(4) Contour intervals shall be noted.

(5) The vertical and horizontal error of contour lines and physical features shown shall not exceed one-half the contour interval.

(6) An on-site temporary bench mark shall be established with reference to datum currently adopted by NGS and plotted to scale as shown on the title.

(7) The following items from Section 49-460 A. (3) shall be used when a general property survey is not made in conjunction with the topographic survey: a through h, l through n, and t through w.

(8) Where the property boundaries are not surveyed, the source from which the boundary data was taken must be clearly noted thereon.

(9) A certification shall be executed by the Land Surveyor which will contain a statement as follows:

D. Geographic Information System Surveys: The following applies to Geographic Information System Surveys.

(1) Purpose: The purpose of these standards is to provide the Surveyor with a guideline for surveys that provide the location of infrastructure information used in a geographic information system (GIS). The primary objective of this standard is to ensure that surveyed information in a GIS is reliable and can be used to make definitive decisions. These standards are not to be used in place of professional judgment.

(2) The Survey: Geographic information system (GIS) surveys are defined as the measurement of existing surface and subsurface features for the purpose of determining their geospatial location for inclusion in a GIS database. All GIS surveys as they relate to property lines, rights-of-way, easements, subdivisions of land, the position for any survey monument or reference point, the determination of the configuration or contour of the earth's surface or the position of fixed objects thereon, and geodetic surveying which includes surveying for determination of the size and shape of the earth both horizontally and vertically and the precise positioning of points on the earth utilizing angular and linear measurements through spatially oriented spherical geometry, shall be performed by a Surveyor who is a licensee of this Board.

The Surveyor shall select the proper equipment and methods necessary to achieve at least the Minimum Horizontal and Vertical Accuracy required in Sections 5a and 5b of these standards. The survey work will be executed in a professional manner by the Surveyor or by personnel under the direct personal supervision of the Surveyor. In the event that more stringent survey requirements are required for a given project than what is provided for herein, the more stringent requirements shall be followed.

(3) Coordinate values: Coordinate values should be in the South Carolina State Plane Coordinate System or Geographic Positions based on the National Coordinate System. Horizontal coordinate values should be in the NSRS or the most current datum published by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). Vertical coordinate values should be in the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) or the most current datum published by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). If coordinates are not referenced to the NSRS, identify the local coordinate system used and its relationship to the NSRS. Coordinates shall be given in either metric or English units. The English unit in South Carolina is the international foot.

(4) Results: The results of the survey shall be transmitted to the client in the form of a document in a digital format. The following information shall be included in the drawing or in the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Metadata and certified to by the Professional Surveyor in responsible charge;

(a) The accuracy classification to which the data was gathered.

(b) The methods and procedures used to obtain the data, including but not limited to: equipment, (i.e. global positioning system, theodolite and electronic distance meter, transit and tape), documentation of positional inaccuracies, control points, bench marks, and PDOP levels for GPS surveys.

(d) Datum used for the survey.

(5) Accuracy - General: The minimum positional accuracy of the survey data is a Geospatial Positional Accuracy that is relative to the mapping scale, and therefore it is the accuracy of the base map on which the GIS is based. The reporting methodology shall be in accordance with the Federal Geographic Data Committee, Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards, Part 1 Reporting Methodology. The Geospatial Position Accuracy shall be reported by positional accuracy as defined in two components: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal Positional Accuracy is the radius of the circle of uncertainty, such that the true or theoretical location of the point falls within that circle 95-percent of the time. Horizontal Accuracy may be tested by comparing the planimetric coordinates of surveyed ground points with the coordinates of the same points from an independent source of higher order. Vertical Positional Accuracy is a linear uncertainty value, such that the true or theoretical location of the point falls within + /- of that linear uncertainty value 95-per cent of the time. Vertical Accuracy may be tested by comparing the elevation of surveyed ground points with the elevations of the same point determined from a source of higher accuracy.

(a) Horizontal Accuracy: The horizontal accuracy is based upon the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Standard for Class 2 and reported in agreement with the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy. The NSSDA Horizontal Positional Accuracy Statistic at the 95% confidence level is determined by multiplying the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the data set by 1.7308.

Acceptable
Base Mapping Scale of LIS/GIS	Positional Accuracy Statistic of Survey Data
1"= 20 ft.	0.7 feet
1"= 50 ft.	1.7 feet
1"= 100 ft.	3.5 feet
1"= 200 ft.	6.9 feet
1"= 400 ft.	13.8 feet
1"= 500 ft	17.3 feet
1"= 1000 ft.	34.6 feet
1"= 2000 ft.	69.2 feet

(b) Vertical Accuracy: The vertical accuracy is based upon the ASPRS Standard for Class 1 and reported in agreement with the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy. The NSSDA Vertical Positional Accuracy Statistic at the 95% confidence level is determined by multiplying the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the data set by 1.9600.

Acceptable
Base Mapping Contour Interval	Positional Accuracy Statistic of Survey Data
1 foot	0.7 feet
2 feet	1.3 feet
5 feet	3.2 feet
10 feet	6.5 feet
15 feet	9.7 feet

(6) Certification: A certification shall be executed by the Surveyor which will contain a statement of the class of survey performed as follows:

"I hereby state that to the best of my professional knowledge, information, and belief, the GIS survey shown herein was made in accordance with the requirements of the Standards of Practice Manual for Surveying in South Carolina, and meets or exceeds the requirements as specified therein."

E. Photogrammetric (Airborne and Spaceborne) Surveys:

(1) Airborne and spaceborne surveys are defined as the use of photogrammetry, American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), IFSAR, or other similar measurement technologies for obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment, including terrain surface, through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant energy and other phenomena. This Rule establishes minimum allowable photogrammetric production procedures and standards for photogrammetric mapping and digital data production.

(2) Production procedures for topographic and planimetric mapping surveys shall be in accordance with the standards established by Chapter 3 of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standard and applicable extensions and revisions. These standards are incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments and editions.

(3) Topographic or planimetric maps, orthophotos, or related electronic data, unless clearly marked as "Preliminary Map," shall meet contractually specified FGDC Standards for horizontal and vertical accuracies (in the absence of specified standards, the ASPRS applies) and shall be sealed, signed and dated by the licensee.

(4) When the issued product is a digital (electronic) data set, or a map or document consisting of more than one sheet or otherwise cannot be signed and sealed, a project report shall be certified, signed and sealed. Such report shall be clearly marked "Preliminary" if applicable.

(5) Ground control for topographic and planimetric mapping projects shall be in South Carolina State Plane Coordinate System grid coordinates, and distances in International feet or meters. A minimum of one permanent project vertical control point shall be shown.

(6) A project map or report shall contain the applicable following information:

(a) Date of original data acquisition;

(b) Altitude of sensor and sensor focal length, as applicable;

(d) If hard copy product is produced, the maps shall contain a north arrow, map legend, final document scale, including barograph, and contour interval, as applicable;

(e) Coordinate system for horizontal and vertical denoting SI (System International English units (i.e., latest datum adjustment maintained by the NSRS, assumed, or other coordinate system);

(f) A list or note showing the control points used for the project. The minimum data shown for each point shall include: physical attributes (i.e. iron rod, railroad spike, etc), latitude and longitude (or Easting and Northing Grid coordinates), and elevation, as applicable;

(g) If other data is included, the source and accuracy of those items must be clearly indicated;

(h) A statement of accuracy complying with contractually specified FGDC standards consistent with 49-460C of this Rule;

(i) For topographic maps or data sets, contours in areas obscured by man-made or natural features shall be uniquely identified or enclosed by a polygon clearly identifying the obscured area. The accuracies of the contours or of features in this obscured area shall be noted "No reliance is to be placed on the accuracy of these contours";

(j) A vicinity map depicting the project location shall appear on the first sheet of all hard copy maps or in the report accompanying digital files;

(k) Company name, address and phone number; and

(l) The name of the client for whom the project was conducted.

(7) A certificate, substantially in the following form, shall be affixed to all maps or reports:

"I hereby state that to the best of my professional knowledge, information, and belief, that this photogrammetric project was performed in accordance with the requirements of the Standards of Practice Manual for Surveying in South Carolina, and meets or exceeds the requirements as specified therein."

F. Right of Way Surveys: Right-of-way surveys are surveys of the boundaries of a strip, area or parcel of land being used for some designated public or private use. When these rights of way are taken in fee simple, the surveys and plats shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of Section 49-460-A "General Property Surveys."

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