King County Road Services - Survey Unit services

About our services

The King County Survey Unit provides surveying services to the Roads Services Division of the Department of Transportation as well as to other County agencies. Services include boundary surveys, topographic surveys, right of way surveys, horizontal and vertical control surveys for aerial photogrammetry, GPS surveys, sensitive areas mapping surveys, floodplain surveys, bathymetric surveys, construction staking of roads, and maintenance of the Public Land Survey System as authorized by the Washington State Law.

The Survey Unit also provides advice on King County surveying matters to the County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, reviews or prepares legal descriptions, and manages contracts with private surveying consultants who are under contract performing surveying work for the County.

Responsibilities to the public

The County Surveyor’s office recovers, restores, and protects original section corner and donation land claim corner locations. The County Surveyor’s office maintains a database of recovered monuments. These original corner positions must be maintained and perpetuated as they form the legal framework for location of property lines and corners of the citizens of King County.

Over 150 years of surveying in King County

King County Surveyors have been providing surveying services for over 150 years. The first County Surveyor, William A. Strickler, was appointed on July 6, 1854. We encourage you to tour this Web site to learn how surveying has evolved over the years.

View a history of King County surveyors.

Related information

• Surveying boundaries and locating underground utilities