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 49-480 - Land Descriptions

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 49-480

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

A. Land Description: A land description is the detailed statement of appropriate information necessary to locate, relocate, or define the boundaries of a certain area or tract of land.

(1) A land description can be part of a land survey and can be used in connection with the preparation of deeds or similar documents.

(2) It is the surveyor's responsibility to make certain that the surveyor's description is complete and proper. The fact that some element or object which should be described is not included in the above does not justify the surveyor's omitting it from the description.

B. Preparing a Description: In a land survey the land description may be prepared by the surveyor. The writing of a deed is the practice of Law and is not the practice of surveying. In a description the full name, address and signature of the surveyor, their license number and seal, the date the land description was prepared, and the date of survey from which the information was procured, or the book and page number of the recorded map or deed, if it is used in preparing the description, shall appear as part of the document.

C. Types of Land Descriptions and Their Content: In describing a lot located in a subdivision by number; the plat or map must be referenced with the name of the subdivision, the surveyor's name, the date, the township and the general location of the property. In addition, the book and page number in which the particular lot is recorded shall be included.

D. Metes and Bounds Description: A metes and bounds description shall include the general location of the tract or lot with sufficient accuracy such that the tract can be readily located on the ground. This is commonly known as a "being clause" and it should also include the source of title of the tract or lot. The point of beginning must be selected such that it can be readily and accurately located from some previously established monument or corner of record and can be readily described. The description shall include the names of adjoining property owners on all lines and at all points. The monument or marker at each corner shall be described. A metes and bounds description shall describe all courses in logical sequence around a tract or lot in a clockwise direction such that the ending point is the beginning point. All lines adjacent to streets, roads, or other rights-of-way shall be referenced to these and all pertinent distances and curve data shall be listed in addition to the parcel's area.

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