An ALTA Survey is a Boundary Survey in accordance with a codified set of minimum standards that have been adopted by the American Land Title Agency and the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), now part of the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). These surveys shows, “improvement, easements, rights-of-way and other elements that impact land ownership”.
The ALTA survey is principally used for major developed commercial and residential properties and is examined by buyers and lenders who are concerned that the buildings, parking areas, and other improvements are located correctly and in compliance with all title records and municipal regulations. The ALTA (American Land Title Association) and the ACSM (American Congress of Surveying and Mapping, currently part of the NSPS National Society of Professional Surveyors) collaborated to develop the minimum standards and optional items for ALTA Surveys. ALTA survey is similar to the methods used for Boundary Survey.
The differences relate to establishing minimum relative positional accuracy of each point established. In addition to the standard requirements in an ALTA Survey, there are additional optional ‘A’ items that the client may ask for. These items range from setting monuments, determining and depicting flood zone, to checking the plumb of any number of building walls. For Further reading see the following links: