ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys
ALTA/ACSM is an acronym for “American Land Title Association” (ALTA) and the "American Congress on Surveying and Mapping” (ACSM). The requirements for an ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey were jointly established by those two organizations and have been updated from time to time. The current ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey requirements were recently amended. Effective February 23, 2011 ALTA surveys should be compliant with “2011 - ALTA/ACSM Requirements”. An ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey (“ALTA Survey”) is a comprehensive boundary survey in which various issues are addressed that primarily concern buyers, lenders and title companies. An ALTA survey will typically provide the title company with a necessary level of comfort that allows removal of the "survey exceptions" from the title insurance policy. There are several items required to be shown on an ALTA survey that are not necessarily shown on a typical boundary survey. An example of the information shown on an ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey is:
* Recorded easements that may encumber or benefit the property.
* Possible gaps or encroachments across boundary lines or easements.
* Access to a public street or streets, or lack thereof.
* Zoning of the property along with setback requirements.
* Flood Zones that may affect the subject property as determined by FEMA.
* Observable evidence of any use by other parties.
* Location of any water boundaries on or adjacent to the subject property.
* Observable evidence of cemeteries.
* Names of adjoining property owners.
In addition to the minimum ALTA requirements, supplemental items as defined in Table “A” of the ALTA Requirements and Instructions may be optionally added by the owner, lender or title company prior to ordering the survey.
ALTA surveys performed by Smith and Goodson, PLLC comply with the current Minimum Standard Detail Requirements as required or adopted by the State of Arkansas, National Society of Professional Surveyors and ALTA. You may download a .pdf of the current requirements on our "Related Links and Forms" page. Our professional staff will be pleased to provide you a no cost or obligation quote for any of your survey needs.
* Recorded easements that may encumber or benefit the property.
* Possible gaps or encroachments across boundary lines or easements.
* Access to a public street or streets, or lack thereof.
* Zoning of the property along with setback requirements.
* Flood Zones that may affect the subject property as determined by FEMA.
* Observable evidence of any use by other parties.
* Location of any water boundaries on or adjacent to the subject property.
* Observable evidence of cemeteries.
* Names of adjoining property owners.
In addition to the minimum ALTA requirements, supplemental items as defined in Table “A” of the ALTA Requirements and Instructions may be optionally added by the owner, lender or title company prior to ordering the survey.
ALTA surveys performed by Smith and Goodson, PLLC comply with the current Minimum Standard Detail Requirements as required or adopted by the State of Arkansas, National Society of Professional Surveyors and ALTA. You may download a .pdf of the current requirements on our "Related Links and Forms" page. Our professional staff will be pleased to provide you a no cost or obligation quote for any of your survey needs.
