c/regulations•Posted byu/R Martin PLS•2 days ago

State surveying laws and drone mapping - a state-by-state guide

I've been researching state surveying laws as they relate to drone mapping. The patchwork of regulations is absurd.

Some states (like Oregon) have explicitly said photogrammetric mapping by drone operators is NOT surveying. Others (like Texas) have broadly defined surveying to include any "measurement of the earth's surface."

I'm compiling a state-by-state reference. If you know your state's specific stance, please share. This information is surprisingly hard to find.

Starting with what I know:

Oregon: Drone mapping explicitly excluded from surveying definition
Texas: Broadly defined, likely requires PLS involvement
California: Gray area, depends on the deliverable
Florida: Recent legislation clarified drone mapping as separate from surveying

Comments

T. Weston PLS•2 days ago

Colorado: The Board of Licensure has issued guidance that topographic mapping for design purposes requires PLS oversight. However, drone data collection and processing can be performed by unlicensed operators under the supervision of a PLS.

The key phrase is "supervision" - it doesn't mean the PLS has to be on site, just that they review and certify the final deliverable.

Gary Bowman•2 days ago

Virginia: The Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects (yes that's the real name) has taken the position that drone mapping for boundary or construction purposes requires PLS involvement.

But ag mapping, inspection, and general aerial photography do not. The distinction is in the intended use of the deliverable.