How Long Is a Land Survey Good For?

A land survey can record crucial information about your property, including its boundaries, features, topography, and buildings. But land surveys aren’t valid forever—you need to survey periodically as the property’s features change or if you need recent records for legal or construction purposes. Learn how long land surveys are good for and what factors influence how often you need a survey.

How Long Is a Land Survey Good For?

While land surveys don’t technically expire, they’re considered valid for five to 10 years as long as no major changes have been made to the property during that time. Surveys for certain purposes like new construction or mortgage approval may need to be performed more recently in order to meet local codes or bank requirements.

Factors Influencing How Long a Land Survey Is Good For

While five to 10 years is a good rule of thumb for land survey or boundary survey accuracy, a few factors can affect how long a survey is good for.

Type of Survey

The type of survey conducted may influence how long it’s good for. When comparing a boundary survey and a topographic survey, the boundary survey may be good for longer, since it establishes the outer legal boundaries of a property, while a topographic survey records the three-dimensional features of a property, which can change over time. 

Survey Purpose

If you’re building new construction or looking to purchase property, you may need a very recent survey. Mortgage lenders may require buyers to pay for a land survey before purchasing a property, and municipalities can require a survey to be conducted immediately before building on a property to comply with local codes.

Property Changes

Any time there’s changes to your property or its boundaries, any older survey is no longer accurate. Building new structures on your property may necessitate a new plot plan, doing significant landscaping means topographical surveys need to be updated, and boundary disputes that result in a change in property lines need to be recorded with a new survey.

How to Know When You Need a New Land Survey

There are several situations that require you to hire a land surveyor for an updated land survey. Have your property resurveyed if:

• You’re adding buildings or other permanent features to the property

• Your mortgage company requires a recent survey

• Your property boundaries are unclear or in dispute

• You significantly change the topography of your property

Warranties for Land Surveys

Many land surveying companies will guarantee the documentation of their work for a specified amount of time. The specific length of time will vary by state or company, so ask your local land surveyor how long they guarantee their documentation. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay an additional land survey cost if you make changes to your property—the original survey will no longer be accurate and the surveying company’s guarantee will no longer apply.