Details
Type: Bulletin
Topic or Program: Engineering Automation
Final Number: EA26-01(B)
Effective Date: 02/06/2026
Updated Date: 02/06/2026
Signature on File: Michael Nichols, PLS, State Surveyor Engineering Automation Section Manager
Purpose
This is the policy and procedure for setting monuments on an acquired permanent easement for highway right of way purposes, and how to display the new easement right of way, existing right of way, and property lines on survey filing maps (Right of Way Monumentation Surveys and Control, Recovery, and Retracement Surveys).
The Survey Policy and Procedure Manual (2015) does not address the setting of monuments on the right of way boundary taken as a permanent easement for highway right of way purposes. Additionally, the Survey Policy and Procedure Manual does not address the depiction of said permanent easement for highway right of way purposes on a Right of Way Monumentation Survey. The purpose of this policy is to clarify what right of way is to be monumented and how to display right of way and property lines on a Right of Way Monumentation Survey and a Control, Recovery, and Retracement Survey.
Guidance
The policy for setting right of way monuments is found in the Survey Policy and Procedure Manual in Chapter 4, Section 4.921. The Boundary Option shall be modified as follows (new additions shown in italics):
Monument, or reference with monuments, all right of way centerline control points and monument the right of way boundary at all angle points, points of curve, points of tangency, and at least every 1000 feet on long curves and tangents.
For the purpose of this policy, the right of way boundary referred to shall include acquisitions in fee title as well as a permanent easement for highway right of way purposes. Easements acquired for purposes other than highway right of way shall not be monumented.
On the filing map for Right of Way Monumentation Surveys, highway right of way easements shall be shown with the same line styles and symbology as a fee taking. Existing property and right-of-way lines shall not be shown within the new right of way. The Survey Filing Map Standards for Right of Way Monumentation Surveys (2018) were updated as follows:
24. Right of way lines and widths: show new right of way lines. Show the new right-of-way line widths and the station at all changes in right of way. Show right-of-way widths at both ends of tangents on each sheet. New right of way taken as a highway right of way easement will be shown with the same line style and symbology as new right of way taken in fee. Easements other than a highway right of way easement will be shown with the easement line style. Do not show existing right of way within new right of way taken in fee or as a highway right of way easement.
29. Private property lines: show all property lines abutting the highway right of way in areas where right of way acquisitions have occurred. These lines will be placed graphically for distance and bearing according to surveys, plats, deeds, etc. Place the lines relative to the current project’s basis of bearing. Do not show private property lines within new right of way taken in fee or as a highway right of way easement.
The Survey Filing Map Standards for Control, Recovery and Retracement Surveys (2018) were updated as follows:
29. Private property lines: show all property lines abutting the highway right of way in areas where right-of-way acquisitions may occur. These lines will be placed graphically for distance and bearing according to surveys, plats, deeds, etc. Place the lines relative to the current project’s basis of bearing. Do not show deed lines within the right-of-way. All property lines will stop at the right of way boundary, even if the deed calls to the center line.
Definitions
- Survey Policy and Procedure Manual
- ODOT’s technical guidance that contains the policies and procedures for survey discipline work on ODOT projects.
- Survey Filing Map Standards
- ODOT’s technical guidance that contains the standards for a County Survey Filing Maps intended to satisfy requirement set forth in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 209.155.
- Right of Way Monumentation Survey
- Survey filing map recorded at the County Surveyor’s Office that depicts monuments recently installed to satisfy the requirements of ORS 209.155.
- Control, Recovery, and Retracement Survey
- Survey filing map recorded at the County Surveyor’s Office that depicts control, existing record monuments, and a retracement of the controlling center line and existing right of way to satisfy the requirements of ORS 209.155.
- Monument
- Per ORS 209.005, “Monument” means any permanent material object or collection of objects, either natural or man-made, that indicates the position on the ground of a survey station, public land survey corner or accessories, or a land boundary corner established by a qualified surveyor.
Background/Reference
Explanation
Permanent easement for highway right of way purposes and fee acquisitions shall be monumented when preparing a Right of Way Monumentation Survey. All other easement acquisitions do not require monumentation.
Responsibilities
Region survey managers – Ensure all survey personnel are familiar with the requirements of this bulletin.
ODOT surveyors – Read and comply with the requirements of this bulletin.
Action Required
Become familiar with the Survey Policy and Procedure Manual and the Survey Filing Standards. Implement this bulletin when performing Right of Way Monumentation Surveys.
Special Instructions
The Survey Policy and Procedure Manual shall be updated with the information in this bulletin. The Survey Filing Map Standards for Control, Recovery and Retracement Surveys and Right of Way Monumentation Surveys were updated with the information in this bulletin. Upon release of the updated Survey Policy and Procedure Manual, this bulletin shall be cancelled.