A survey of real property performed with the minimum standard requirements. The American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) establish minimum land surveying standards for surveying real property.

An ALTA/NSPS land title survey generally is the most detailed level of survey that a surveyor can prepare. An ALTA/NSPS land title survey can include:

ALTA/NSPS periodically updates the standards. The most recent update is effective February 23, 2021.

For more information about land surveys and commercial real estate acquisitions, see Title Insurance and Survey Toolkit for Commercial Real Estate (National and Select States). For information on land surveys in commercial real estate loans, see Practice Notes, Commercial Real Estate Loans: Due Diligence and Commercial Real Estate Loans: Closings.