How do I verify a land surveyor's license in Georgia?

Use the Georgia Secretary of State license verification tool at verify.sos.ga.gov. Search by name or company. All practicing land surveyors must hold an active PLS license from the Georgia State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Do I need a surveyor with coastal experience for a Savannah area property?

Yes, for properties near tidal marshes, the Savannah River, or on barrier islands like Tybee Island. Coastal surveys involve tidal boundaries and Georgia Coastal Marshlands Protection Act requirements that general surveyors may not be equipped to handle. Ask specifically about coastal and wetland survey experience when interviewing firms.

What records should I review before hiring a surveyor in Chatham County?

Pull your parcel information from the Chatham County GIS portal and your deed from the Chatham County Superior Court Clerk's office. For Savannah historic properties, the Georgia Historical Society may have useful historical plat records. Having this information ready helps surveyors quote your job accurately.

How long does it take to get a survey done in Savannah?

Residential boundary surveys typically take two to four weeks in the Savannah area. Historic district properties with complex deed histories or coastal properties near wetlands can take longer. ALTA surveys for commercial transactions commonly require four to eight weeks.

Find a Land Surveyor in Chatham County, Georgia

Key takeaway

Find a licensed land surveyor in Chatham County, GA. PLS professionals serving Savannah, Pooler, Tybee Island, Garden City, and Port Wentworth.

Find a Licensed Land Surveyor in Chatham County, Georgia

Chatham County is home to Savannah, one of Georgia's most historic and architecturally significant cities, plus coastal communities like Tybee Island, Wilmington Island, and Whitemarsh Island, and fast-growing suburban corridors in Pooler, Garden City, and Port Wentworth. Each of these areas presents distinct survey needs. Finding a licensed professional with the right experience for your specific location is worth the extra step.

Georgia PLS License Requirements

Every land surveyor practicing in Georgia must hold an active Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license from the Georgia State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. The PLS designation requires passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practice of Surveying exams, plus documented work experience under a licensed surveyor. The PLS stamp and signature on a plat is what gives the document legal standing with lenders, title companies, and government offices.

Verify any surveyor's license at verify.sos.ga.gov before hiring. It takes under a minute and protects you from working with someone who is unlicensed or whose license has lapsed.

Survey Types Common in Chatham County

Boundary Surveys for Residential Property

Homeowners in Savannah, Pooler, Garden City, and on Tybee Island need boundary surveys for fence placement, additions, permit applications, and real estate transactions. In Savannah's historic neighborhoods, where lot lines may not match modern expectations, a boundary survey is especially important before any construction or sale.

ALTA/NSPS Surveys for Commercial Transactions

Savannah's active port, its tourism economy, and the rapid commercial growth in Pooler along the I-95 corridor generate consistent demand for ALTA/NSPS surveys. Hotel acquisitions, retail development, industrial facilities near the port, and mixed-use projects in downtown Savannah all require this level of survey detail for commercial lenders and title underwriters.

Coastal and Tidal Surveys

Properties adjacent to tidal marshes, the Savannah River, the Vernon River, or the Back River require surveyors who understand the Georgia Coastal Marshlands Protection Act and can properly delineate jurisdictional boundaries. This is specialized work. Not every general survey firm has the experience to handle it correctly. Ask directly before assuming a firm is qualified.

Elevation Certificates

Chatham County has extensive FEMA flood zone coverage, particularly on barrier islands and along tidal rivers. Elevation certificates are frequently required for flood insurance, mortgage approval, and building permits throughout the county. Any licensed PLS can complete an elevation certificate, but coastal areas may have additional complexity in establishing the correct datum and BFE reference.

Chatham County GIS Resources

The Chatham County GIS office maintains an online mapping portal with parcel boundaries, ownership records, and aerial imagery. Use it at chathamcounty.org to look up your parcel ID and pull a map of your property before contacting a surveyor. For historic Savannah properties, the Chatham County Superior Court Clerk's office has recorded plats and deeds that provide important baseline information for surveyors.

Tips for Hiring the Right Surveyor in Chatham County

Match expertise to location: Barrier island and tidal marsh properties need a surveyor with coastal experience. Suburban Pooler lots do not require that specialty, but you want someone familiar with Chatham County's GIS records and permit process.
Verify the PLS license: Check verify.sos.ga.gov before signing anything.
Ask for a written proposal: Scope, deliverables, timeline, and total cost should be confirmed in writing before fieldwork begins.
Get multiple quotes: Chatham County has 18 surveying businesses. Getting two to three quotes is reasonable and can reveal significant price differences for the same scope of work.

Find a Surveyor in Chatham County Today

Find a land surveyor in Chatham County using our directory of licensed Georgia PLS professionals. Whether your property is in historic Savannah, on Tybee Island, in a Pooler subdivision, or near the port in Garden City, our directory connects you with qualified firms serving the entire county.