Licensed Land Surveyors in St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County has 10 licensed surveying businesses serving one of the most densely developed suburban counties in Missouri. The county's diverse mix of older inner-ring municipalities, fast-growing western suburbs, and two major river flood corridors creates varied and specialized survey demand. Whether you need a boundary survey in Kirkwood, an elevation certificate in Valley Park, or an ALTA survey in Clayton, a licensed Missouri Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) is the person you need.
Before getting into detail: St. Louis County and the independent City of St. Louis are two separate jurisdictions. The county surrounds the city on three sides, with Clayton as the county seat. If your property is in the county (stlouisco.com), county surveyors and county records apply. If your property is in the city, different offices and records apply.
Why St. Louis County Property Owners Need Surveys
Meramec River Flood Zone Mapping
The Meramec River corridor in southern St. Louis County has some of the most significant flood risk in the St. Louis region. Valley Park, Fenton, and Arnold have experienced catastrophic flooding in 1982, 1993, 2015, and 2017. Many properties in these communities carry National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies and must maintain current elevation certificates. A licensed surveyor familiar with Meramec corridor FEMA FIRM maps can prepare elevation certificates that document your property's actual flood risk relative to the Base Flood Elevation.
Missouri River Floodplain in Maryland Heights and Bridgeton
The Missouri River forms the northwest county boundary, with significant floodplain areas running through Maryland Heights, Earth City, Bridgeton, and Hazelwood. Many properties in this corridor sit in levee-dependent flood zones, where flood insurance status depends on the certification of nearby levees. Elevation certificate work in these areas requires familiarity with levee-dependent FEMA flood zone designations and current levee accreditation status.
Boundary Surveys in High-Density Suburbs
The older inner-ring municipalities of Kirkwood and Webster Groves, along with University City, Maplewood, Brentwood, and Ladue, have small lots with long title histories. Boundary surveys in these communities confirm legal property lines before fence installation, additions, and property sales. Complex easements for utilities, drainage, and access are common in older suburbs and can affect what you are legally permitted to build.
ALTA Surveys for Commercial Projects in Clayton and Chesterfield
Clayton is the county seat and financial center of St. Louis County, with active office, legal, and retail development. Chesterfield is one of the largest commercial markets in Missouri outside downtown St. Louis. Both cities generate consistent demand for ALTA/NSPS surveys, which are required for most commercial real estate transactions and development financing. ALTA surveys document all easements, encroachments, utilities, and title exceptions in a format required by title insurance underwriters.
Western Suburb Growth: Ballwin, Wildwood, and Manchester
The western tier of St. Louis County continues to develop, with Ballwin, Manchester, Wildwood, and Ellisville seeing new residential and commercial construction. Surveyors in this area handle subdivision platting, lot staking, and boundary surveys for new construction projects. Wildwood's larger lots and more wooded terrain in western St. Louis County also generate rural-style boundary survey work not as common in the denser inner ring.
What to Ask Before Hiring a St. Louis County Surveyor
Verify the PLS License
The Missouri APELSLA board at pr.mo.gov/apelsla.asp is the authoritative source for license verification. Do not skip this step. Only an active licensed PLS can legally establish property boundaries in Missouri.
Municipality-Specific Experience
Given the fragmentation of St. Louis County into over 90 municipalities, ask whether the surveyor has experience with the specific city or village where your property is located. Familiarity with local subdivision records speeds up research and reduces costs.
Flood Zone Experience
If your property is in or near the Meramec or Missouri River flood corridors, confirm the surveyor is familiar with FEMA FIRM maps for St. Louis County (FIPS 29189) and has experience with levee-dependent flood zone designations if applicable to your area.
Written Scope and Deliverables
Request a written quote specifying the survey type, what deliverables you will receive, turnaround time, and whether monument setting is included. This prevents misunderstandings and gives you a clear basis for comparing multiple quotes.
Checking St. Louis County Property Records
Before ordering a survey, pull your property record from the St. Louis County assessor at stlouisco.com. The recorded deed, existing plat, and title report give the surveyor the foundation for researching your parcel. Confirm you are using the county's records at stlouisco.com, not the separate City of St. Louis records system.
Find a Licensed Surveyor in St. Louis County
Ready to connect with a licensed surveyor? Browse our land surveyor directory to find licensed Professional Land Surveyors serving Clayton, Chesterfield, Florissant, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and communities throughout St. Louis County.