The following is a list of services commonly provided by Cal-Survey. Please call for rates 530-273-6651

Or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (office manager)

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (principal)

Corner Searches:

Corner searches involve sending survey technicians into the field to search for and flag existing corner markers. These markers may be pieces of iron pipe or rebar which were driven into the ground during a previous survey. The markers often have a tag or cap with the prior surveyor’s license number.

A corner search begins with a review of recorded map(s) showing previous surveys. The survey technicians search for the markers with a metal detector, using rough compass bearings and by pacing approximate distances. Found markers are compared to the monument legend of recorded maps and are then made easy to relocate with flagging and wooden lath stakes. Any line(s) marked during a corner search is an approximation.

Sometimes monuments have been removed since the original survey, or possibly not all corners were formally surveyed. Setting line points or corners with accuracy is beyond the scope of a corner search, as is verifying the accuracy of prior surveys. If you require these or other surveying services, please ask for an estimate.

Setting Line Points:

Setting line points involves marking points along a property line, typically with lath stakes and flagging.

This service is useful to establish a fence line or to clarify a boundary when there is not a line of sight between existing boundary markers. The line points are set at a frequency to allow a line of site from point to point. Additional points may be set, for example, to indicate where a boundary runs in relation to a proposed building site.

The survey technicians will set line points when, upon review of recorded map(s), it can be assumed that boundary markers exist. If recorded boundary markers must be reset there will be an additional fee.

The estimate for setting line points is based upon the distance between existing boundary markers. The conditions of topography and vegetation are also considered. The actual fee will vary according to the time spent in the field.

Record of Survey:

A Record of Survey is a professional opinion of the true location of property boundaries based up an evaluation of field and record evidence. Field work requires careful evaluation of existing monuments and lines of occupation and measuring between these points. Research requires attention to recorded maps, deeds and other pertinent documentation of both the subject and surrounding properties. Discrepancies in record or in monumentation are resolved or noted in the course of the survey. The original survey is then filed with the local agency (City or County). State law requires a Licensed surveyor to file a Record of Survey, Parcel or Final Map whenever corners not previously shown on a recorded map are set. Records of Survey are generally the best determination of property boundaries at the date of the Survey.

ALTA Surveys

The American Land Title Association has developed standards for issuing title policies that will provide broader coverage than the typical homeowner policy (Standard coverage). Requirements for the ALTA policy include a map and certification by a licensed surveyor showing any and all encroachments, the location of visible improvements including curbs, parking spaces and utilities. These surveys also show property line information but are not recorded.

Easements

Easements are utilized for a variety of purposes, including access, utility, building setback and various conservation purposes. Because easements generally do not require agency approval, they have become an inexpensive method of limiting or transferring a variety of rights short of fee title.

Parcel & Subdivision Mapping:

Land division in the State of California is regulated by the Subdivision Map Act. This allows the local agency the ability to collect fees and regulate the creation of new lots and to restrict their size and use. Subdividing any property is a lengthy and often expensive process that requires good project management and coordination of several professionals. While each jurisdiction has different requirements, common issues addressed concern access and traffic circulation, fire safety, environmental and culturally sensitive areas and the availability of domestic water and sewage disposal. Typically a subdivider can expect to be responsible for providing fire standard roads to any newly created lot or parcel, and to ensure that there is an adequate building site with provisions for water and sewage and minimal or mitigated impacts to sensitive resources. There are often dead-end road restrictions and zoning issues that will affect the suitability of a property as well as such factors as slope, wetlands or the presence of protected native trees. We have extensive experience in land divisions and will be happy to discuss your proposal.

Construction Staking:

Construction staking is the process of transferring a roject design from concept to ground. Plans are created on paper or AutoCad format and identifiable points, (building corners, road centerlines and top of cut/ bottom of fill, location of piers etc.) are established and marked on the site. Frequently we will set offsets from the intended point so that the location can be re-established by the builders after grading. Unless requested otherwise, we use 2”X2” wooden hubs with the desired point marked in ink for construction projects. A 3’ wooden lath will be set next to each hub indicating, point number, elevation, point ID and cut/fill if appropriate. We are also familiar with “bank plugs,” and other staking methods. One of the contractors we work with has requested all his construction staking to be placed along the lot lines, and referenced perpendicular to the property line. This particular company builds large houses on small lots, where this technique works well. Standard accuracy for our construction staking is +/- 0.02’.

Permaculture Site plans:

Our City and County require a comprehensive site plan for most construction projects (discussed above). These generally include the location of existing property lines and setbacks, topography, structures and physical features, as well as environmentally sensitive areas, which include wetlands, riparian areas, heritage trees and areas of native oak woodland, etc. A permaculture site plan includes the same items currently required by the County, but the perspective and long-term planning aspects of the plan are governed by an intent to establish sustainable culture on the area mapped.

This does not mean that anyone expects each individual parcel to be self-sustaining in supporting a resident population. Although this is a possibility on certain lots, it is understood that local and regional commerce is a part of the web of interdependence and that there is growth and movement from place to place. A permaculture site plan identifies the intended population (human and non-human) of a defined area, and proposes structures, improvements or non-disturbance areas that will support and enhance the maintenance of the populations.

Given the conflicting requirements of natural diversity, any plan is going to represent a compromise and a result that favors growth of certain populations to the detriment of others. This makes planning decisions complex.

Current land-use planning is either done without permits, intuitively by the landowner, or legally, under the auspices of the local agency with the willing or unwilling consent of the owner and various professionals. There is a hierarchy of input that goes into the development of any planned development, beginning with a proposal, and then subject to numerous ordinances, which are intended to protect the public health and safety, and to maintain minimal rates of environmental and cultural degradation. If the developer of the initial proposal is able to satisfy the requirements of the local ordinances without compromising the intent of their original project, the plan is approved and usually forgotten, although certain aspects, such as required zoning changes and setbacks, may have long-term affects.

A permaculture site plan is intended to be a living document. Beginning with as accurate a base map as possible, the plan identifies the limits of a site, topography, plant and animal regions and existing structures and improvements. It may include cross-sections of soil and solar and wind patterns or view sheds. Among the most unique factors of the permaculture process are the sector and zone deliniation.  Sectors are the outside forces that affect a site.  These may be natural or otherwise, but they are forces that are beyond the control of the landowner.  They include prevailing winds, desirable or undesirable views, sounds or smells, solar orientation, and the like.  Zonation refers to the elements of design that will require interaction with the intended population.  Because one of the purposes of the plan is to establish patterns of minimal energy consumption, the concept of zonation allows for grouping of activities requiring more inputs.

Because the non-human residents of the site are unable to express their opinions, it is essential to find advocates from among the human population to include the requirements of the various sub-communities. During the early planning stages all points of view should be embraced. These may include, but are not limited to: People who love the site, Terrestrial and aquatic biologists, ornithologists, herpetologists, mycologists, hydrologists, foresters, dirt-loving pagan tree-worshippers, firemen, civil and structural engineers, architects, farmers, fundamentalist shamans, trash junkies and others. Each person’s contribution should be as an advocate for his or her community and include geographically based suggestions for preserving or creating a long-term, stable habitat.

The site map will take a while to create. Balancing and integrating the sometimes-divergent points of view may require some difficult choices. Because the site plan is intended to be helpful in establishing long-term habitat it is worthwhile to take time creating the document. It should be created in the nourishing spirit of joy that a responsible land-steward intends to establish on their domain. The completed plan will include an overall portrait of the site, identify various zones by name and function, and show some of the intended structures or activities that will help enhance that zone’s properties.

Details and specifics may require other plans and drawings. The purpose of the overall site plan is to give a coordinating direction to general characteristics that affect the site and the greater neighborhood. It may prevent future use conflicts and will ideally provide a perspective for regenerative living.