Applications for permits sought from local land use and building departments must be accompanied by a survey prepared by a surveyor licensed by the State of Connecticut, according to a recent directive from the state’s Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (“Board”).
The reminder was issued in response to correspondence received by the Board that site plans containing boundary information not prepared by licensed land surveyors but by other professionals (architects, landscape architects and engineers) and without a land surveyor’s seal and signature, were being accepted for official municipal review.
According to the directive issued May 8, 2025, by Anthony L. D’Andrea, Board chairman, “Any survey plan or drawing issued to your zoning or building departments that depicts the location of existing or proposed structures with respect to property and/or setback lines shall be prepared and certified by a Connecticut licensed land surveyor in accordance with the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The types of surveys issued for this purpose are typically zoning location surveys and improvement location surveys, however, all surveys are subject to said regulations and should be reviewed for compliance.” Mr. D’Andrea reminded that a licensed land surveyor is the only professional “qualified to determine where boundaries are located and therefore, is the only person qualified to determine the location of improvements with respect to boundary and setback lines.” The preparation of a survey is governed by Sec. 20-300b-1 through Sec. 20-300b-20 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
The requirement to submit a survey for relatively inexpensive unfounded accessory structures such as portable sheds could be expensive for homeowners. So, instead of a formal survey for unfounded structures, municipalities may consider accepting a letter signed and sealed by a licensed land surveyor that confirms that the proposed location of an accessory structure complies with setback requirements, as long as a prior survey of record exists. In addition, a similar letter may be used to confirm that the as-built location of an accessory structure is compliant.
However, the foregoing option “shall not be construed as applicable to major or principal structures, or structures with foundations,” wrote Mr. D’Andrea. Questions regarding the Board’s statement can be posed to [email protected].
For more information, please contact from our Real Estate & Land Use Group:
Liz Suchy
Partner
203.252.2656
[email protected]
This information is for educational purposes only, to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.