The Official Website of the City of Indianapolis and Marion County

 

Contents:
Q:  Will the MCSO survey my property?

Q: I need to know where my boundaries are, can the MCSO help me?
Q: I want to put up a fence and need to know where my property line is, can the MCSO help me?
Q:  I need to know who owns the property next to me; does the MCSO have this information?
Q: My neighbor removed my survey stakes, is this against surveying law?
Q: I require a site plan (Plot plan) for my property; can I get one from the MCSO?
Q:  I need a copy of a survey for my property, can I get one from the MCSO?
Q: What is the difference between a Surveyor’s Location report, a Plot Plan and a Boundary Survey?
Q:  I need a flood elevation certificate for my property, will the MCSO do this?
Q:  A flood elevation certificate was done when my home was built, can I get a copy from the MCSO?
Q: I need a copy of a Sanborn Map, does the MCSO have them?
Q: Where can I find information on easements?
Q: I have a problem with drainage on my property, can the MCSO help me?
Q: I need information on legal drains; does the MCSO have this information?
Q: I need information on Rights of Way; does the MCSO have this information?
Q: I am looking for Highway Plans, does the MCSO have these? 

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Q:  Will the MCSO survey my property?
No, you will need to hire a private surveyor to survey your property.  Among other duties, the MCSO does surveys for other government agencies and maintains the section corners which all surveyors use when surveying property. 

 

Q: I need to know where my boundaries are, can the MCSO help me?
The MCSO can direct you to the MapIndy viewer on our website (Here) where you will be able to see an approximate view of your boundaries along with aerial photography. 

     NOTE: This map does not represent a legal document.  It is intended to serve as an aid in graphic representation only.  Information shown on this map is not warranted for accuracy or merchantability.

     If you require accurate information on your boundaries you will need to hire a private land surveyor to prepare a boundary survey.

 

Q: I want to put up a fence and need to know where my property line is, can the MCSO help me?
See “I need to know where my boundaries are.”

 

Q:  I need to know who owns the property next to me; does the MCSO have this information?
No, you would need to contact the Marion County Assessor’s office for this information – (317) 327-4907

 

Q: My neighbor removed my survey stakes, is this against surveying law?
The removal and/or destruction of Survey Markers is a criminal issue.  The Marion County Surveyor’s office cannot offer legal advice.

 

Q: I require a site plan (Plot plan) for my property; can I get one from the MCSO?
Plot plans are typically created by a land surveyor, civil engineer, etc. to obtain a permit to improve property.  Since we are not part of the permitting process, we do not have records for plot plans. 

     If you are searching for a previously prepared plot plan, you should contact the Department of Code Enforcement, Records Department to see if they have one on file.  They can be found at 1200 Madison Avenue, Suite 100   (317) 327-3976

 

Q:  I need a copy of a survey for my property, can I get one from the MCSO?
We maintain an index of surveys recorded in the Marion County Recorder’s Office.  Since 1988, Indiana Registered Land Surveyors have been required, in most cases, to record boundary surveys of property where permanent corner markers are set.  Surveyors Location Reports (SLR), previously called mortgage surveys, are not typically recorded since corner markers are not set as a part of a SLR.  The index of recorded surveys is available on our website and you can obtain copies of the surveys from the Marion County Recorder’s Office, located on the 7th floor of the City County Building.

 

Q: What is the difference between a Surveyor’s Location report, a Plot Plan and a Boundary Survey?
Surveyor’s Location Report (formerly called a Mortgage Survey) is a limited accuracy report prepared by a Registered Land Surveyor for the benefit of a mortgage lender and/or a title insurance company.  Since the boundary is not staked and is only shown approximately, a Surveyors Location Report should not be used for the construction of improvements. 

     A boundary survey requires more research and work and is therefore more expensive.  However the corners are staked with a boundary survey.  Since around 1988, Surveyors have been required by Indiana Administrative Code to record most surveys where the property corners were monumented.  

     A plot plan appears similar to a Surveyor’s Location Report, but it shows proposed improvements to a site in order to obtain a permit to construct those improvements. 

     Boundary surveys, Surveyor’s Location Reports and Plot plans would be prepared by a Private Land Surveyor, not the Marion County Surveyor’s Office. 

 

Q:  I need a flood elevation certificate for my property, will the MCSO do this?
No, you will need a private land surveyor to do this.  We do have copies of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for Marion County in our office.  Alternatively, the www.fema.gov website can be used to create a “firmette” for the area in question.

 

Q:  A flood elevation certificate was done when my home was built, can I get a copy from the MCSO?
No, you should contact the Department of Code Enforcement, Records Department to see if they have one on file.  They can be found at 1200 Madison Avenue, Suite 100   (317) 327-3976

 

Q: I need a copy of a Sanborn Map, does the MCSO have them?
Sanborn Maps were prepared for insurance purposes and show information about the use of a site at the various times the maps were updated.  Sanborn Map copies can be obtained from the Indiana State Library for a fee.  Please visit their website for more details -   http://www.in.gov/library/sanborn.htm

Q: Where can I find information on easements?
Easements are typically recorded in the Office of the Marion County Recorder.  However, researching them can be a difficult task unless you have information such as the names of the parties to the easement, the approximate date it was created, and the address, parcel number or section, township and range where it is located.  The utility company, government or business entity, individual, etc. who the easement was granted to may be able to provide a copy of an easement document.  A recorded survey (if any) of the property may show easements if they were provided to the surveyor.  Otherwise, title insurance companies may be able to do easement research for a fee.

Q: I have a problem with drainage on my property, can the MCSO help me?
You will need to contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) – (317) 327 4000

 

Q: I need information on legal drains; does the MCSO have this information?
Since Marion County and The City of Indianapolis have a consolidated government, Indiana Code (IC 36-9-27-5) provides that the Department of Public Works has the responsibility for Legal Drains that in other counties would be part of the County Surveyor’s duties.  The MCSO holds an old map of the legal drains in Marion County.  You can also find this information on the MapIndy Viewer (Here).  If you require more up-to-date or further information, you would need to contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) Legal Drains Division – (317) 327 8469

 

Q: I need information on Rights of Way; does the MCSO have this information?
The MCSO holds some old data on Rights of Way.  If you require current or further information you will need to contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) Right of Way division – (317) 327 8483

 

Q: I am looking for Highway Plans, does the MCSO have these?
The MCSO has a limited number of older highway plans, alternatively you can contact InDOT Records Division – 317-232-5533 or http://www.in.gov/indot/2345.htm