We had that very problem with a nearby city for quite a spell. They had to learn the hard way that what looks like a monument is not necessarily a monument and most definitely may not even be close to where it should be.
I've heard it said only a licensed boundary surveyor is competent to tell someone the monument they found is the property corner. That said, I know some licensed surveyors that aren't near as good as some career party chiefs I know.
I'd worry his biggest culpability is the possession of other licenses. He's fully aware of the regulations, laws, and requirements and is willfully snubbing them.
The difference there is the land owner holds their own liability and is directly liable to their neighbors.
So, basically, anyone can find pipes/pins, it's in saying what they represent that makes it surveying
@jph if a homeowner looks/finds their lot corners aren't they also surveying their neighbors property? If this person is out finding monuments and telling people that what is being located are indeed the property corners he is indeed performing unlicensed (illegal) surveying. The problem is the board doesn't have much recourse with an unlicensed surveyor other than to send them a cease and desist letter. However if this person is licensed in other states and performing surveying services where they are not licensed I would imagine that they are in violation of the board rules of the states they are licensed in.
No.
If you want to go look for your pins and find them etc it's legal.
If you offer up an opinion and claim that they are something like say a property corner and invoke or induce someone or an entity to rely upon your evidence of a legally determined definition, then yes you're surveying without a license.
Being licensed comes with deep responsibility and liability which is why the statutes were put in place to protect the public.
Or so I am told and have ascertained.
Oops. Reread. Yes. What you said.
🙂
