Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0820 - Land Surveyor Examiners
Chapter 0820-03 - Standards of Practice
Section 0820-03-.05 - ACCURACY OF SURVEYS

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0820-03-.05

Current through December 26, 2024

Surveys for categories I, II, and III as defined below must meet the minimum accuracy requirements provided below for the category where the survey is located. The category must be determined by the Land Surveyor to the best of his knowledge and belief at the time of the survey. Nothing in this rule shall preclude a Land Surveyor from using a greater degree of accuracy than that required as a minimum for any category provided below.

(1) Urban and Subdivision Property Surveys (Category I). For Category I surveys in Tennessee, the angular closure shall not exceed fifteen (15) seconds times the square root of the number of angles turned. The linear error of closure shall not exceed 1 foot per 10,000 feet of perimeter of the lot of land (1:10,000). When very small lots of one (1) acre or less are encountered, the allowable error shall not exceed one tenth (1/10) of a foot of positional accuracy at any corner.

(2) Suburban and Subdivision Property Surveys (Category II). For Category II surveys in Tennessee, the angular error of closure shall not exceed twenty-five (25) seconds times the square root of the number of angles turned. The linear error of closure shall not exceed 1 foot per 7,500 feet of perimeter of the lot of land (1:7,500). When very small lots of one (1) acre or less are encountered, the allowable error shall not exceed one tenth (1/10) of a foot of positional accuracy at any corner.

(3) Other Property Surveys (Category III). For Category III surveys in Tennessee, the angular error of closure shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds times the square root of the number of angles turned. The linear error of closure shall not exceed 1 foot per 5,000 feet of perimeter of the lot of land (1:5,000). When very small lots of one (1) acre or less are encountered, the allowable error shall not exceed one tenth (1/10) of a foot of positional accuracy at any corner.

(4) Remote Sensing Surveys (Category IV). For Category IV surveys in Tennessee, the Land Surveyor is to use the current standards and applications set by Rule 0820-03-.07(5) of this Chapter.

(5) Differential Leveling Surveys.

The surveying process in which a horizontal line of sight of known elevation is intercepted by a graduated standard, or rod, held vertically on the point being checked (does not apply to Trigonometric or GPS surveys).

(a) Urban Differential Leveling Surveys. Leveling employed for commercial, industrial or urban land surveys shall be executed with an error of closure (Y) not to exceed in feet

0.5
Y = 0.04(M)

(Y) equals 0.04 times the square root of M) Where Y = discrepancy in vertical measurement (in feet) and M = distance from datum reference (in miles).

(b) Other Differential Leveling Surveys. Other leveling surveys shall be conducted with an error of closure (Y) not to exceed in feet

0.5
Y = 0.10(M)

(Y) equals 0.10 times the square root of M) Where Y = discrepancy in vertical measurement (in feet) and M = distance from datum reference (in miles).

(c) Agreement for Leveling Surveys. Prior to any type of Leveling Survey, including control for photogrammetric mapping, the Land Surveyor may determine and set forth in a written agreement with his client to perform a more accurate Leveling Survey and the general procedure to be employed.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-18-105(d) and 62-18-106(c).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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