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A land survey defines and records the physical aspects of a property, including its boundaries, dimensions, easements, features, and sometimes topographical information. In contrast, a land appraisal determines the property's monetary value. While an appraiser will often consult a land survey to understand the property's physical specifications, the survey itself does not determine the land's value.

Permit requirements to clear land vary by municipality, so whether or not you need permits depends on where you live and what you’re removing from the land. Some building departments will require permits for any underground work or excavation, meaning grinding down tree stumps on your property would require permits. Others mandate individual permits for each tree you remove. You can contact your local building department or a land-clearing specialist near you to see if permits are necessary for your job.

A few different types of land surveys can help determine certain features and boundaries of your property. These include:

• Boundary surveys describe the actual borders of a property. These are generally required when trying to get construction permits issued. 

• Location surveys provide much of the same information as a boundary survey but also include in-depth information about any improvements made to your property. 

• Mortgage location surveys are usually required by lenders and title companies before financing or offering an insurance policy. 

• Site-planning surveys are done before applying for building permits and can be issued before any major home improvements. 

• Topographic surveys provide a formal map of land elevations. It can also describe the location and size of natural features and any land improvements.

Land survey reports have a boatload of information relevant to several scenarios. Here are the types of information contained with a survey, though it depends on your chosen type of land survey. Exact boundaries and dimensions of a given property General topography, including both natural and artificial landmarks Location of utility fixtures, like water mains Confirmation of any easements or encroachments on a piece of property Assessment of land elevation to buy flood insurance Updated information to add to a pre-existing property map