Definition
Topographic surveys show elevation and terrain features—hills, valleys, slopes, contours. They're essential for development planning because they reveal grading requirements and drainage patterns. A site that looks gentle might actually have challenging topography.
Where you’ll meet it
What do the survey and the plat need to show?
See it in Dividing land · Step 2About this term
Topo surveys map the land's terrain using contour lines showing elevation changes. Essential for development planning, drainage design, and understanding site constraints.
Pro Tip
Get topographic surveys for properties with any elevation variation. Understanding actual terrain prevents expensive surprises during construction and informs grading costs.
Example
A topographic survey showing 15% slopes and 40-foot elevation changes across a 10-acre site.