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Can the Surveyor’s Office survey my property?
The Gibson County Surveyor’s Office does not perform private surveys. For this service, a private, professional surveyor is recommended. A list of surveyors in the area can be found here or sent via email. Please call our office at 812-385-4853 to request the list.
How much does a land survey cost?
Surveys vary widely in cost depending on their complexity and location. The best way to determine survey costs is to contact a private surveyor. If you’re not sure what kind of survey you need, please refer to the table below for guidance.
What are the different types of land surveys?
Type | Purpose |
ALTA/NSPS Survey | Provides a title company and/or lender with detailed boundary survey, improvements on site and utility location data and information in order to issue an insurance policy; comprehensive and generally costs more |
Boundary Survey | Locate and/or set new boundary corners of a parcel of land based on deeds and other information; often used for fence installations and establishing original or new boundary corners and lines |
Construction Survey | Locates existing structures and newly proposed improvements on a property; provides a base for implementing development plans |
Surveyor Location Report | Provides information on the location of interior improvements- this is NOT a boundary survey and no corner monuments are set; primarily used for residential loans. Cannot be used to establish property lines for fence construction |
Plot Plans | Combines various features of the land including topography for design purposes to receive any permits from the county including residential house, septic and pond permits |
| Topographic Survey | Locates all topographic features including man-made; typically used in planning stages of site improvements and developments |
| Route Survey | Performed for long narrow strips of land usually for roads, pipelines, etc. |
I need a copy of my legal description, deed, or survey. Can I get these from the Surveyor’s Office?
A copy of these documents, if recorded, can be found at the Gibson County Recorder’s Office at 101 N Main St, Princeton, IN 47670. The Recorder’s Office can be reached by phone at 812-385-3332.
I know my property has been surveyed, but a survey isn’t available at the Recorder’s Office. Does the Surveyor’s Office have a copy?
The requirement for surveyors to record a boundary survey was instituted by law in 1988. All boundary surveys performed by a professional land surveyor before this time is likely not recorded. If a copy of a boundary survey performed after 1988 is not recorded in the Gibson County Recorder’s Office, then you will need to contact the professional surveyor who performed the work to get a copy. Typically, only Boundary Surveys, ALTA/NSPS, and Route Surveys are required to be recorded.
Please note that Surveyor Location Reports (SLR or mortgage surveys) completed during real estate transactions are not required to be recorded since they are not a boundary survey. Neither the Surveyor’s Office nor the Recorder’s Office maintain copies of unrecorded surveys or Surveyor Location Reports. To obtain a copy of an SLR/mortgage survey, you will need to contact the title company involved in the real estate transaction.
DRAINAGE
I’ve heard that the Surveyor’s Office handles drainage. What does this mean?
Per Indiana Code, the Gibson County Surveyor’s Office/Drainage Board has jurisdiction over certain stormwater drains within the county. These drains, called legal or regulated drains, are open, tiled, or a combination of the two (Indiana Code 36-9-27-2). They are located throughout the county- within rural areas, subdivisions, commercial/industrial sites, and cities and towns. To view a map of our drains, please visit our County GIS Website (Beacon) and refer to the layers menu on the left.
Go to the “County Data” layers and check the box for “County Ditches.”
How are legal drains established?
While some legal drains were established by courts many years ago, newer drains are established through petitions to the Gibson County Drainage Board. Once petitioned, the Drainage Board may establish a drain and assess a fee for applicable parcels based on the management costs of the drain over a certain period.
For questions regarding the establishing a legal drain, assessments, or the Gibson County Drainage Board, please contact our office at 812-385-4853.
How is drainage managed?
Management of legal drains and their easements includes removing obstructions (debris, structures, etc.), repairing damages, and performing preventive maintenance to ensure proper water flow. The Surveyor’s Office/Drainage Board is only responsible for maintaining legal (regulated) drains; we do not govern private drainage systems.
Roadside drainage is usually managed by the Highway Department or local entity depending on your location. The County Highway Department can be reached at 812-385-4887.
If you know you are within the corporate limits of a town and have drainage issues with your roadside ditch, please contact the town first.
How can I request assistance with drainage issues?
To request assistance with drainage issues, you’ll want to contact the correct authority. Generally, drainage responsibilities fall under one the following authorities:
To report a County drainage issue online suryveyor@gibsoncounty-in.gov, please call: 812-385-4853
EASEMENTS • RIGHTS OF WAY
Where can I find information on easements?
If you know which entity was granted the easement, they are the best source for information. To find the type of easements on your property, you can contact the Gibson County Recorder’s Office or your local entity to inquire about easement documents, plats, surveys, or development/construction plans. If you cannot obtain such documents, title insurance companies may be able to research easement locations and details, though the service is usually not free.
The Gibson County Surveyor’s Office manages drainage easements for legal drains. If you have a question about drainage easements, please contact our office at 812-385-4853.
Where can I find information on Rights of Way?
The Highway Department manages information on rights of ways within the county jurisdiction. To contact the Highway Department, please call 812-385-4887. For information on rights of way within towns and cities, please contact the applicable town or city.
NEIGHBOR CONCERNS
My neighbor has built a structure on my property. Can the Surveyor’s Office assist with this?
The Surveyor’s Office does not settle or investigate property line disputes for private parties. Such disputes are considered private civil issues, which may require assistance from a lawyer.
My neighbor removed or displaced my boundary survey stakes. Are they allowed to do this?
The intentional removal, destruction, or displacement of boundary markers and monuments established by survey is unlawful; however, these occurrences are private civil issues that may require assistance from a lawyer. The Surveyor’s Office cannot offer legal advice or investigate any occurrence that doesn’t involve a Gibson County Surveyor’s Office monument.
My neighbor has altered their property, and I now have drainage issues. What can I do?
The Indiana courts maintain the doctrine that “water is a common enemy.” This means that a property owner can use his/her property in any manner if they do not violate ordinances, and they do not channelize collected water to an outlet at the property line. This means that you, or your neighbor, cannot change the water patterns at the property line to negatively impact a neighbor’s property.
Please note that this violation is a civil matter and is not under the jurisdiction of the Gibson County Government. Only the courts can adjudicate this type of situation. Ultimately, an attorney would be required to advise you of your options to remedy this type of situation.
