Commercial Land Surveys - More Than Just A Boundary Assessment 

08/12/2026 10:46 AM       Mark Goodman

A survey is an essential part of commercial property acquisition. The establishment of property boundaries is one of the cornerstones of a survey, but the lot lines aren’t the only thing that you can learn about a property from a survey. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at all the information a comprehensive ALTA survey will tell you about a prospective property before you close. 

Ordering an ALTA survey is one of the simplest ways to learn a wealth of information about a commercial property. That’s because an ALTA survey is conducted based on specific nationwide requirements set forth by the American Land Title Association. The goal of an ALTA survey is to identify any and all risks that could cause harm to you as the future title holder. A misplaced fence or a neighbor’s building being erected on your land could cause issues should you ever want to sell the property, and these boundary issues will be quickly discovered during an ALTA survey. 

Other pieces of information that you can learn about the property through an ALTA survey include: 

• Encroachments 

• Easements not found in public records 

• Infrastructure information (roads, trails, trails, rights of way, etc.) 

• Land use 

• Zoning regulations 

• Flood zone classification 

• Legal description of the property 

• Public and private utilities on the property 

• Land topography 

As you can see, there’s a lot to learn about a property from an ALTA survey other than the location of the property’s boundaries. You can use this information to your advantage in the lead up to closing day or to start planning improvements that you’ll make once you become the owner. An ALTA survey may also be a requirement for the issuance of title insurance or to remove coverage exceptions from your policy, so they play an essential role in the totality of the commercial transaction. 

We’ve helped clients order ALTA surveys for properties they have an interest in, and we can do the same for you. Let us protect your financial interests and help you learn more about a property before closing day arrives with the help of a land survey. For more information, or for help with a different aspect of commercial property purchasing, connect with the team at Commercial Partners today at (612) 337-2470.