Section 865IAC1-12-18. Original and retracement survey monumentation

   (a) When conducting a retracement survey or an original survey, a registered land surveyor shall be responsible to set monuments in accordance with this section.

  (b) Except as provided in subsection (h) a monument, as defined in subsections (c) through (g), shall be set at every lot or parcel corner being surveyed, including the interior lots of a subdivision. Corners to be set include the beginning and end of curves and the intersection of lines except where the setting of a monument near another monument would cause confusion. Further, a monument is not required to be set if there is an existing monument at the corner that is within the limits of the relative positional accuracy for the class of survey being performed.

  (c) Monuments set in unpaved or other nonimpervious locations shall be five-eighths (⅝) inch diameter or larger iron or steel rods, reinforcement bars, or galvanized pipes weighing a minimum of one (1) pound per foot and being at least twenty-four (24) inches long and set with not less than eighteen (18) inches below grade. Other monuments may be used if they:

(1) are made of material of similar or greater durability, size, and character; and

(2) can be found by a device capable of detecting ferrous or magnetic objects.

  (d) Where practical, monuments in pavement or other impervious areas shall be set according to the requirements contained in subsection (c). However, when it is not practical to set a monument in accordance with subsection (c), then a two (2) inch or longer, one-fourth (¼) inch or larger diameter, magnetic concrete nail, or similar magnetic monument, shall be set, if possible.

  (e) Monuments set under subsection (c) or (d) shall have a substantial plastic or metal tag or cap permanently affixed showing the registered land surveyor's surname and professional license number or board-issued firm/agency identification number.

  (f) Where monuments as defined in subsection (c) or (d) cannot be set, the survey points must be:

(1) marked by:

(A) a drill hole;

(B) a cut cross;

(C) a notch; or

(D) other similar permanent mark; and

(2) referenced to any nearby witness monuments or permanent objects, such as:

(A) building foundations; or

(B) concrete head walls.

  (g) Monuments required by local ordinances shall be set provided they meet or exceed the requirements in subsections (c) and (d).

  (h) Where it is not possible or practical to set a monument at the survey point:

(1) a monument shall be offset; and

(2) the location shall be selected so that the monument lies on a:

(A) line of the survey; or

(B) prolongation of the line.

However, offset monuments are not required at interior lot corners not adjoining a street right-of-way. Offset monuments shall be identified as such on the plat and, if possible, in the field. However, if existing monuments fall within the acceptable relative positional accuracy of the survey, a monument will not be required to be set.

  (i) If recovery of the monument would be difficult due to the topography or other features of the land, the monuments shall be witnessed or referenced in such a manner that will facilitate their recovery.

  (j) At the time they are set, monuments shall be marked, such as with ribbon, paint, or lath, to facilitate the recovery of the monument by the client.

  (k) It shall be the responsibility of the land surveyor certifying the subdivision plat to set all monuments required by this section in a new subdivision.

  (l) Monuments shall be set before providing the client with the survey documents required by this rule. However, in the case of new subdivisions where, in the opinion of the surveyor, it is probable the individual lot monuments will be disturbed by construction, only the perimeter of the subdivision, or section thereof, must be monumented before recordation. In this situation, the setting of the individual lot monuments may be delayed until no later than:

(1) after construction is complete (including buildings); or

(2) two (2) years after recordation of the subdivision plat or, if the subdivision is platted by sections, after recordation of each section;

whichever occurs first. In new subdivisions, if monuments are to be set before recording, then the placement of monuments shall be shown on the subdivision plat. If monuments are to be set after construction is complete, the surveyor shall record an affidavit, cross-referenced to the recorded plat, showing which monuments were set and which were found, the dates the monuments were set or found, together with a certification that states to the best of the surveyor's knowledge and belief the information contained in the affidavit is true and correct. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the surveyor to wait until construction is completed to place monuments.

  (m) A surveyor is not required to replace or restore any monument that the surveyor has set that has been:

(1) moved;

(2) disturbed; or

(3) destroyed;

after its original placement for the current survey.

  (n) Identification numbers, other than registered land surveyor's registration numbers, used by a land surveying firm or government agency under subsection (c) or (d) must be assigned and authorized for use by the board. Request for firm or agency numbers must be in writing on forms provided by the board. (State Board of Registration for Professional Surveyors; 865 IAC 1-12-18; filed Jun 21, 1988, 4:05 p.m.: 11 IR 3914; filed Jul 17, 1991, 4:30 p.m.: 14 IR 2248; filed Oct 13, 1992, 5:00 p.m.: 16 IR 891; readopted filed May 22, 2001, 9:55 a.m.: 24 IR 3237; filed Jan 26, 2004, 11:00 a.m.: 27 IR 1888; filed May 4, 2006, 1:25 p.m.: 29 IR 3014; readopted filed Nov 9, 2012, 11:26 a.m.: 20121205-IR-865120390RFA) NOTE: 864 IAC 1.1-13-19 was renumbered by Legislative Services Agency as 865 IAC 1-12-18.