The Boundary Line: Cadastral and Boundary Law for Surveyors

Explore the creative legal and design framework of land planning and community development. We cover subdivision regulation, planning commission workflows, preliminary mapping, monumentation, and final plat recording for legal conveyance. Learn how surveyors balance infrastructure engineering with site design—including gravity-flow sewer routing, street hierarchies, block and lot geometry, setback lines, density zoning controls, and cluster development patterns.

We cover metes and bounds descriptions, platted subdivision lots, and PLSS aliquot descriptions. Learn how courts resolve overlapping deeds using senior versus junior rights, alongside the legal hierarchy of calls—where natural monuments hold ultimate priority over artificial marks, bearings, distances, and area calls.

Master the complete Public Land Survey System (PLSS) in one comprehensive episode. We explore the initial points, principal meridians, base lines, and 36-section township geometry established in 1785. Then, we pivot to modern retracement practice—evaluating evidence, distinguishing lost versus obliterated corners, and applying single and double proportionate measurement to restore missing monuments.

Dive into water boundary law in this episode covering static water lines and dynamic shorelines. We break down sovereign public trust rights, Mean High Water (MHW) calculated across the 18.6-year Metonic lunar cycle, and Ordinary High Water Marks (OHWM) in inland waters. You'll also learn how erosion, accretion, and avulsion affect boundary locations, alongside equitable methods for apportioning water frontage.

Unpack how real property is transferred and encumbered. We break down voluntary conveyances, deed types, and freehold estates like fee simple absolute. You'll also master unwritten property transfers—including adverse possession, prescription, and acquiescence—alongside involuntary takings through eminent domain, condemnation, and property encumbrances like liens and covenants.

Explore the legal bedrocks of land ownership in this episode combining historical legal evolution with title history. We examine how English common law, colonial statutes, and trial versus appellate court structures shape American land law. You'll learn how medieval feudalism, the Magna Carta, and the Statute of Frauds established written conveyances, alongside essential title vocabulary—including chain of title, abstracts, clouds on title, and title insurance.

Welcome to The Boundary Line: Cadastral & Boundary Law for Surveyors. In this brief introductory trailer, we outline the complete roadmap for our audio series. Discover how land title origins, property conveyances, water boundaries, easements, the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), corner restoration, and legal descriptions interconnect in modern surveying practice. Whether you are entering the field, preparing for professional licensing, or refreshing your expertise, this overview sets the stage for mastering boundary law.