5J-17.051. Standards of Practice: General Survey, Map, and Report Content Requirements

The following rules shall apply to all work products regardless of the method of data acquisition:

(1) Surveyors and mappers must achieve the following standards of accuracy, completeness, and quality:

(2) The accuracy of the survey measurements shall be premised upon the type of survey and the expected use of the survey and map. The accuracy of data shall be independently verified.

(a) Vertical Accuracy:

All surveying and mapping products with elevation data shall state the datum and a description of the control upon which the surveying and mapping products are based. The data shall be supported with documentation describing the vertical accuracy and the methodology used to determine accuracy. Elevation data may be obtained on an assumed datum provided the base elevation of the assumed datum is obviously different than a publicly published datum and clearly noted.

(b) Horizontal Accuracy:

All surveying and mapping products expressing or displaying mapped features shall state the datum and a detailed description of the control upon which the surveying and mapping products are based. The data shall be supported with documentation describing the horizontal accuracy and the methodology used to determine accuracy. Mapped features may be obtained on an assumed datum provided the numerical basis of the datum is obviously different than a publicly published datum.

(c) Assumed datum:

If data is collected on an assumed datum, then adequate control points shall be established and communicated in the surveying and mapping product in order that the survey may be independently reproduced and verified.

(d) Measurement and computation records shall be dated as of the date of acquisition and must contain sufficient data to substantiate the surveying and  mapping products.

(3) Surveys, Maps, and/or Survey Products Content.

(a) The licensee must adequately communicate the survey results to the  public through a map or report with an attached map.

(b) Each survey map and report shall state the type and/or purpose of the survey it depicts.

(c) All survey maps and reports must bear the name, certificate of authorization number, and street and mailing address of the business entity issuing the map and report, along with the name and license number of the surveyor and mapper in responsible charge. The name, license number, and street and mailing address of a surveyor and mapper practicing independent of any business entity must be shown on each survey map and report.

(d) All survey maps must reflect a survey date, which is the last date of data acquisition. When the graphics of a map are revised, but the survey date stays the same, the map must list dates for all revisions.

(e) The survey map and report and the copies of the survey map and report, except those with electronic signature and electronic seal, must contain a statement indicating that the survey map and report or the copies thereof are not valid without the original signature and seal of a Florida licensed surveyor and mapper.

(f) Abbreviations related to surveying matters shall be defined on the work product.

(g) A reference to all bearings shown on a survey map or report must be clearly stated, i.e., whether to “True North”; “Grid North as established by the NOS”; “Assumed North based on a bearing for a well defined line, such as the center line of a road or right of way, etc.”; “a Deed Call for a particular line”; or “the bearing of a particular line shown upon a plat.” References to Magnetic North should be avoided except in the cases where a comparison is necessitated by a Deed Call. In all cases, the bearings used shall be referenced to some well-established and monumented line.

(h) A designated “north arrow” and either a stated scale or graphic scale of the map shall be prominently shown upon the survey map.

(i) The responsibility for all mapped features must be clearly stated on any map or report signed by a Florida licensed surveyor and mapper. When mapped features surveyed by the signing surveyor and mapper have been integrated with mapped features surveyed by others, then the map or report shall clearly state the individual primarily responsible for the map or report.

Rulemaking Authority 472.008, 472.027 FS. Law Implemented 472.025, 472.027 FS. History–New 9-1-81, Amended 7-29-85, Formerly 21HH-6.03, Amended 12-18-88, 11-27-89, 5-26-91, Formerly 21HH-6.003, Amended 12-25-95, 5-13-96, 11-3-97, 5-25-99, 4-4-06, 8-31-06, 8-18-08, Formerly 61G17-6.003, Amended 5-11-15, 11-13-17.