From property boundaries to zoning requirements, our team answers some of the questions we hear most often.

Land surveying plays an important role in property ownership, development, and construction. But for many property owners, the process isn’t always clear. Why does a surveyor need to examine an entire property when only one boundary is in question? What exactly is an A2 survey? And what is that instrument on the tripod?

At Godfrey Hoffman Hodge, we hear these questions regularly. Here are answers to five of the most common.

1. Can you survey just one property line? I only need one side marked.

It’s a reasonable question, especially when you’re planning a fence, landscaping, or another improvement along a single property boundary.

But determining the location of one property line generally requires understanding the boundaries of the entire parcel. Surveyors rely on historical records, existing monuments, field measurements, and calculations to establish how the pieces fit together.

While we can often limit the physical markings to the area you’re concerned about, we first need to establish the property’s boundaries as a whole. Certain exceptions may apply, particularly for larger parcels.

2. Will my survey be filed with the town?

Not necessarily. In Connecticut, completed surveys are not automatically filed with the municipality.

Some surveys are prepared for submission to a town’s planning or zoning department as part of a permitting or approval process. In other cases, a municipality may require a survey to be recorded in the land records.

There are also situations where we recommend that a property owner record a survey for future reference. The appropriate approach depends on the property and the purpose of the survey.

3. Is that a camera you’re using?

We get this one more often than you might think!

The instrument you see mounted on a tripod is likely a total station, a highly precise surveying instrument used to measure angles and distances.

With its eyepiece and tripod, it’s easy to see why someone might mistake it for a camera. But rather than taking photographs, a total station helps surveyors collect the measurements needed to establish property boundaries, map existing conditions, and support engineering and construction projects.

4. What is an A2 survey?

If you’ve been involved in a property transaction or zoning application in Connecticut, you’ve probably heard the term “A2 survey.”

In Connecticut, A-2 refers to a recognized class of horizontal survey accuracy. It’s a designation frequently referenced in municipal zoning regulations and land development requirements.

Unlike a map assembled from existing records or compiled mapping sources, an A-2 survey involves professional research, field measurements, and calculations to establish and document property information to the applicable accuracy standard.

The survey’s certified class of accuracy should be clearly identified on the map.

5. Why is the town requiring me to get a survey?

Municipalities often require surveys to verify that proposed improvements or activities comply with local zoning regulations.

Whether you’re planning an addition, installing a structure, or pursuing a larger development project, the town may need accurate information about property boundaries, setbacks, existing improvements, and other site conditions.

A survey provides the information municipal officials need to evaluate a proposal and determine whether it meets applicable requirements.

Understanding Your Property Starts with the Right Information

Every property has its own history, characteristics, and considerations. A professional land survey helps bring those details into focus, providing reliable information for decisions about ownership, improvements, and development.

Have a question about your property or an upcoming project? The team at Godfrey Hoffman Hodge is here to help.