Monument Preservation

“Land is one of California’s most precious assets, the ownership of land, and consequently the ability to define boundaries is dependent of monuments and their perpetuation.”
Dec. 2, 1985 letter from Board to all County Surveyors and City Engineers


Survey Monuments are Protected by the Law

The law protects monuments which are critical to the protection of private property rights and public infrastructure of California. Below are relevant sections of law pertaining to survey monuments. Click the links below to review the laws or visit: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

Business & Professions Code §8771
Streets & Highways §732 & §732.5, §1492.5, §1810.5
Penal Code §605
1985 BPELSG Opinion
2011 BPELSG Opinion

Responsibilities for Land Surveyors (Public Agency)

Below is an outline of your professional responsibilities as a public surveyor:

  • Include monument perpetuation in all capital improvement project contracts.
  • Require monuments to be shown on all plans - capital improvements and private development projects.
  • Educate and train your in-house inspectors. (Sample Training PowerPoint)
  • Attend all preconstruction meetings – emphasize monument perpetuation and the costs. (Sample Handout)
  • Prepare thorough corner records and records of survey.
  • Educate your contractors - make them aware that monument preservation is part of the contract and they will be financially responsible for any destroyed monuments.

Resources

Education is key to ensuring preservation of monuments. Below are some resources to assist you in educating your staff:

Sample Educational Letter (CEAC)
Sample Monument Preservation Guideline (San Bernardino)
Monument Brochure
Sample Handout for Inspectors & Contractors (City of San Diego)
Sample Agency Procedure (San Diego)
Sample In-House Training PowerPoint
Sample Handout for Contractors (City of Anaheim)

For More Information

For more information regarding monument preservation, please contact CLSA Monument Preservation Chair, Kevin Nehring

The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists (BPELSG) has designated staff for any Monument Preservation issues.
Please contact BPELSG at: BPELSG.Enforcement.Information@dca.ca.gov