How Do I Find a Qualified Surveyor in Spokane County?
Spokane County has a smaller pool of licensed Professional Land Surveyors than the Seattle metro, but the market is competitive enough that you should still get multiple quotes before hiring. Firms serve Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney, Airway Heights, and the rural areas of the eastern county. Turnaround times are generally shorter here than in western Washington, and prices are lower.
Step 1 - Confirm the License
Washington RCW 18.43 requires that all boundary survey work be performed under the supervision of and certified by a licensed Professional Land Surveyor. Before hiring any firm, Use the directory as a starting point, then confirm the responsible surveyor's current license before hiring. Unlicensed survey work has no legal standing and can complicate real estate transactions, permit applications, and boundary disputes.
Step 2 - Use Spokane County Resources to Prepare
The Spokane County GIS portal at gis.spokanecounty.org is a useful starting point. It displays parcel boundaries, aerial imagery, zoning designations, and flood zone overlays. Use it to understand the general shape of your lot, identify adjacent parcels, and flag any proximity to the Spokane River flood zone before your first call to a surveyor.
The Spokane County Assessor at spokanecounty.org/assessor provides your parcel number, recorded lot dimensions, and ownership history. Parcel number in hand, surveyors can pull deed and plat records from the County Auditor before providing a quote. That preparation leads to more accurate estimates and faster project starts.
Step 3 - Know What Survey Type You Need
Spokane County property owners most commonly need one of several survey types:
- Boundary survey: Establishes legal property lines. Used for fence permits, setback confirmation, neighbor disputes, and real estate transactions.
- Topographic survey: Maps elevation and physical features. Required for grading plans, drainage design, and new construction.
- ALTA/NSPS survey: A high-standard survey required by commercial lenders and used in commercial real estate transactions.
- Elevation certificate: Documents building elevation relative to FEMA Base Flood Elevation. Required in flood zones along the Spokane River and parts of Spokane Valley.
- Subdivision or lot line adjustment: Required to divide or reconfigure parcels. Must comply with Spokane County land division regulations and be recorded with the county.
Step 4 - Request Three Written Quotes
Contact at least three licensed PLS firms and provide each with the same information: your parcel number, the lot size and general location, the specific type of survey you need, and any deadline. Ask each firm:
- Have you worked in this area recently, and do you have prior control data from nearby surveys?
- What is included in this quote, and what would trigger additional charges?
- What is your current turnaround time?
- Will a licensed PLS supervise and stamp the final work?
A firm that has recently worked in your neighborhood may already have established survey control points that reduce field time and cost. That local experience is worth asking about.
Rural Spokane County Properties
Rural parcels east of Spokane, around Cheney and Medical Lake, and in the Palouse country of southeastern Spokane County often carry old deed descriptions tied to the original General Land Office survey grid. These descriptions can be ambiguous or reference section corners that have not been verified in decades. Hire a PLS with rural eastern Washington experience for these projects. Ask how they handle conflicts between deed calls and found monument evidence.
Spokane River Corridor Properties
Properties in the Spokane River canyon, along the downtown Spokane waterfront, and in low-lying parts of Spokane Valley near the river may fall within FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas. If your lender is requiring flood insurance or you are unsure of your flood zone status, ask the surveyor whether an elevation certificate or flood zone determination is appropriate for your project.
What to Expect After Hiring
Your PLS will review your deed, county plat records, and any prior surveys filed with the Spokane County Auditor. The crew visits the site to locate or set monuments and measure the parcel. The PLS then prepares a stamped boundary map showing the survey results. If a Record of Survey is required under RCW 58.09, your PLS handles the filing with the county, and filing fees are typically passed through to you.
Find a Licensed Surveyor Near You
Our directory lists licensed Washington Professional Land Surveyors serving Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, and the rural areas of Spokane County. Search Spokane County surveyors to compare firms and request quotes.