California Surveyors Forums

I am doing some work in Malibu and I was reviewing the city's project submittal requirements. This is how it reads verbatim. Does anyone see what I see?

"The Site Survey must be prepared by a Registered Civil Engineer or licensed surveyor and based on either the NGVD29 or NAVD88 datum only. The Site Survey shall show: • Property boundaries with bearings, distance, and monuments, iron rods or other markers clearly shown • Topography, existing structures, Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) boundaries (if applicable) • All easements, offers to dedicate, deed restrictions, and a description of adjacent uses • Streams, ESHAs; and ESHA buffers, and the location of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) • Location of any buildings or structures on adjacent properties that are within 15 feet of the property, or that may be affected by proposed grading • Location of trees that are at least 4-inches in diameter at a point of 4½ feet above the ground • If the property is a beachfront lot, show the string line and mean high tide line."

"Registered Civil Engineer or licensed surveyor"

I've learned to accept Rodney Dangerfield during the past 50 years.

The use of "all" with regard to easements is a little troubling. What's a "string line" in the context of tides?

Wouldn't the horizontal position of the mean high tide line on a beach be continually changing as the surf is moving sand around? I wouldn't want to make the call of which buildings may be affected by grading, too subjective for my comfort level.

I think "Registered Civil Engineer" is obsolete terminology. It should be Professional Engineer (Civil), I think.

licensed surveyor should be Professional Land Surveyor which implies he/she is licensed (Am I really required to do that? why can't I just say "he").

Both professions are licensed, neither are registered. Some States use RLS, I've seen that on some of Jim Conkright's monuments (RLS3137) although we were never registered in California.

P.S. I'm working on an article which will serve as the introduction to my book/study guide/pamphlet/pulp novel.

Pulp novel - as in Dave K. O'Reily?

The Case of the Misused Legal Principle
Starring Jeff Lucas as Perry Mason
Costarring Dave Karoly as Paul Drake, Surveyor

I obtained a copy of Miller & Starr California Real Estate 4th, Chapter 8, Deeds. It's very good, it already has hints when extrinsic evidence cannot be used (title issues, fee vs easement vs life estate, for example) and where it can be used (boundary location).

That's sensible - extrinsic evidence when applicable to determine intent of parties as to location if latently ambiguous. Not so much for matters of law, but that of facts on the ground.

[Not that we're wandering off topic here ...]

I am curious as to how one relates the Horizontal relationship of the improvements to a Vertical Datum. I guess that you can use whatever datum you want for the Horizontal component.

I feel like I'm in a scene from the movie Caddyshack during most of my dealings with city and county governments. And I'm not talking about the swimming pool scene...

Or Groundhog Day, for another Bill Murray movie, right?

Jim Frame wrote:What's a "string line" in the context of tides?

"String line" has to do with location of balconies/decks/patios & building corners of the adjacent properties. An imaginary line is created between these located features to determine a limit for any new construction that won't impede on your neighbors view. I don't believe it's related to the tides.

A stringline sets the furthest limits of development. In other words, where your neighbors have built limits you as to how far towards the ocean.

As noted by another observer, the surveyor is treated as the stepchild.

"Registered Civil Engineer or licensed surveyor"

Notice the full identification for the engineer is in CAPS while the Land Surveyor is not.

Check out the attached from back in 1985.

So What?
So lets dance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai_imjgKPas

Thanks Clark, I needed that tonight... I definitely had something with Ted Knight in mind, that just about covers it!!!

my license on the wall states that I am "duly registered as a Land Surveyor". This is March 1979. Maybe they ran out of certificates that had the term "Licensed" that year.

My 1972 license says "...Duly Licensed..."

Mine from 1996 says "... Duly Licensed..."

Me too! My point is because the engineers are identified in CAP and we are not, it is clear an engineer prepared the report.

Does anyone remember when we had the big brouhaha years ago in Coronado?

Check out the attached letter. It was sent after the city engineer stated in public that surveyors were unqualified to perform a survey report for the City of Coronado.

It seems to me if a person is trying to prove a point in a letter about qualifications and professionalism, one would make sure there weren't any misspellings.