What is the process involved when my property is surveyed?

A survey is a specialized map of a limit or a parcel of land that provides details determined after thorough research and field measurements. In Ontario, only a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS) has the authority to prepare a document that shows the boundary of your property.

The process to prepare a survey is governed by statutes and generally accepted surveying principles which includes research of prior surveys, existing and past legal descriptions, and evidence found onsite to determine an opinion of the location of your current boundary.  Once the boundary is determined, the surveyor will mark the corners with new monuments and/or flag any existing monuments set during previous surveys.

The OLS can then prepare a final plan of your property on paper, pdf, or CAD.  This plan will show your property size and shape, the underlying legal lot pattern (i.e. registered plan or concession, etc.), the location of any right of ways or easements, and/or the location of any permanent structures on your property. The survey is then ready to be used by anyone looking for the information, like a real estate agent confirming the lot to be purchased or an architect preparing a site plan for new construction.