Survey Plans. They Are Not All Alike.
It can be a maddening experience.
In common practice, all plans that include a survey
component are mistakenly called Plot Plans. Need a septic system? Get a plot plan. Need to go through Army Corp of Engineers? Get a plot plan. Need your land divided? Get a plot plan. Need a floodplain certificate? Get a plot plan. Need to build a retail center? Get a… you get the idea.
So you say plot plan and your surveyor says something else and it suddenly becomes confusing and you wonder if you are signing up for the wrong service.
The truth is that each of these requires a different plan type and while good surveyor will both know what you mean and set you up with right plan. Still, not knowing the difference can make for a potentially expensive situation.
A Plot Plan: has the least amount of information and generally shows property boundaries and existing structures. It is commonly used in mortgage transactions.
A Site Plan aka Permit Site Plan: is a highly variable beast. It is frequently used for development and geared towards the permit sought to be obtained. Thus it includes all the requirements listed to meet the permit requirements such as: Existing conditions, proposed conditions, utilities, stormwater, wetlands, structures, easements and a host of other items.
An ANR (Approval Not Required): is for subdividing one lot into two and is one step above a plot plan in terms of detail. It is designed to meet ANR requirements of the subdivision rules and regulations of a particular town/city. It often includes: Abutters, all ways (roads) abutting the property, zoning setbacks, lot square footage, contiguous upland (and the like) and any other identified requirements. It is sent to the Planning Board and with luck, meets administrative approval does not require a public hearing or denial.
An Exhibit Plan: is an individually tailored plan showing only certain elements. A surveyor can locate and plot any object desired. Sometimes, the circumstances demand that atraditional items be located. For example, if a commission wants every tree over 18 inches to be identified, an exhibit plan might be prepared. Or, for example, the town wants rare species habitat mapped over a landscape, an exhibit plan might be prepared.
While these are just a few (not even touching upon Chapter 91, Land Court or Alta Surveys), they should get you though the basic conversation about needed services with your surveyor. Plus it should keep you from being surprised if you asked for a plot plan to build a new retail center and your surveyor provided you with a proposal for a site plan.