California Surveyors Forums

In 1987 surveyor “Aâ€￾ signs tract map in CA indicating 1’ iron pipes with his tag set at points of all true corners. Surveyor “Bâ€￾ sets tags in sidewalk at unknown offset. No "Certificate of Correction", “Corrective Mapâ€￾, Corner Records recorded. Both surveyors are still active. Which surveyor is accountable? A or B? Both?

DJLS wrote:In 1987 surveyor “A” signs tract map in CA indicating 1’ iron pipes with his tag set at points of all true corners. Surveyor “B” sets tags in sidewalk at unknown offset. No "Certificate of Correction", “Corrective Map”, Corner Records recorded. Both surveyors are still active. Which surveyor is accountable? A or B? Both?

I think a little more information would be helpful. Questions like, were the original corners ever set? Also, what was Surveyor "B" doing to require him to be at the site? Were these 2 actions done simultaneously? I think in order to achieve a more determinable answer you must first give more of a background than what is currently provided.

It depends on if A ever set his monuments...you don't really say (although I can probably guess he didn't).

If B took over the job from A (after A signed the map and it recorded), then all that is needed, imo is a cert. of correction, stating the new character of the monuments, the new tag number and the offset distances for each corner and a statement that B took over the project from A. The Cert of Correction should be attached to the map for future use and both surveyors should sign it.

If B set the offsets after finding A's mons as a part of a retracement, then B should have filed CRs. If A never set the mons and B set his, not as a function of setting monuments for the tract project, but as a retracement, then B should probably have to file CRs or RS and A should still have to go set his monuments, or go survey B's monuments and file CRs or RS.

Ryan.

Were PLS A's marked as "To be Set" on the final map and an agreement and security posted to guarantee intallation within 24 months? If not, why was the map allowed to record? In my County we perform a monument inspection to verify the location and type of the monuments and to assure the map matches the field conditions. If they don't, map does not record. Otherwise, label as "To be Set" and developer needs to execute the agreement and post security to record the map.

If PLS B's activities are not part of the field survey for the recorded subdivision map, then he should file a CR or RS, depending on the facts (which are not known to us at this point) within the prescribed time limit.

If PLS A's monuments were "To be Set", has the term of the agreement expired? If not, he should still be in the clear.

If PLS B's monuments were those "To be Set" monuments on the final map, the agency should be inspecting before releasing security (after getting a release letter from PLS A). If they don't match the map, the inspection fails and a COC needs to be submitted/approved/recorded to clear up the changed character and location of the monuments. Just my opinion...

Section 66497 SMA requires a letter after the setting of final monuments.

Planning could also be blamed if they released the bonds prior to the City Surveyor, or County Surveyor verifying the appropriate corners were set.

We know surveyors are responsible for the setting, but we need to get monument verification included in all punch list items for planners. If your jurisdiction does not include monuments on their punch list, please educate them on the need and work with your planning department.

That would be my next step.