Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 60

Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 60
in effect

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.010 Surveyor to be elected in certain counties - qualifications - term.

60.010. Surveyor to be elected in certain counties — qualifications — term. — 1. At the regular general election in the year 1948, and every four years thereafter, the voters of each county of this state in counties of the second, third, and fourth classification shall elect a registered land surveyor as county surveyor, who shall hold office for four years and until a successor is duly elected, commissioned and qualified. The person elected shall be commissioned by the governor. 2. No person shall be elected or appointed surveyor unless such person is a citizen of the United States, over the age of twenty-one years, a registered land surveyor, and shall have resided within the state one whole year. An elected surveyor shall have resided within the county for which the person is elected six months immediately prior to election and shall after election continue to reside within the county for which the person is surveyor. An appointed surveyor need not reside within the county for which the person is surveyor. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section, or any other law to the contrary, the county commission of any county of the third or fourth classification may appoint a surveyor following the deadline for filing for the office of surveyor, if no qualified candidate files for the office in the general election in which the office would have been on the ballot, provided that the notice required by section 115.345 has been published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county. The appointed surveyor shall serve at the pleasure of the county commission, however, an appointed surveyor shall forfeit said office once a qualified individual, who has been duly elected at a regularly scheduled general election where the office of surveyor is on the ballot and who has been commissioned by the governor, takes office. The county commission shall fix appropriate compensation, which need not be equal to that of an elected surveyor. (RSMo 1939 § 13190, A.L. 1945 p. 1759, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1983 H.B. 133, A.L. 2003 H.B. 267, A.L. 2009 H.B. 481) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11571; 1919 § 12709; 1909 § 11291

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.030 Oath - bond - receipt of records.

60.030. Oath — bond — receipt of records. — Every county surveyor shall, within sixty days after receiving his commission, and before entering upon the duties of his office, take the oath prescribed by the constitution, and enter into bond to the state of Missouri, in a sum not less than one thousand nor more than five thousand dollars, to be determined by the county commission, conditioned that he will faithfully perform all the duties of the office of county surveyor, and that at the expiration of his term of office he, or in case of his death, his executors or administrators, will immediately deliver to the recorder of deeds of the county all county survey plat books. (RSMo 1939 § 13192, A.L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11573; 1919 § 12711; 1909 § 11293

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.040 Failure to give bond, office to become vacant.

60.040. Failure to give bond, office to become vacant. — If any county surveyor fail to give such bond in the time prescribed in section 60.030 , his office shall be vacant. (RSMo 1939 § 13193) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11574; 1919 § 12712; 1909 § 11294

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.050 Bond, approval.

60.050. Bond, approval. — Such bond may be taken by the clerk of the county commission in vacation; and, if so taken, shall be approved or rejected by the county commission at the next term thereof. (RSMo 1939 § 13194) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11575; 1919 § 12713; 1909 § 11295

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.060 Bond valid until rejected.

60.060. Bond valid until rejected. — Such bond shall be valid until it is rejected, and its rejection shall not release the principal and sureties from any liabilities incurred previous to its rejection. (RSMo 1939 § 13195) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11576; 1919 § 12714; 1909 § 11296

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.070 Rejection of bond.

60.070. Rejection of bond. — If such bond be rejected, the county commission shall order the county surveyor to enter into a new bond, within such time as they may think reasonable, not exceeding twenty days; and in default of giving such new bond, the office shall be vacant. (RSMo 1939 § 13196) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11577; 1919 § 12715; 1909 § 11297

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.090 Deputies - oaths - qualifications.

60.090. Deputies — oaths — qualifications. — Deputies may be appointed by any county surveyor who, before they proceed to discharge their duties, shall take an oath to discharge faithfully, truly and well the duties of deputy surveyors. All deputy county surveyors shall be registered land surveyors. (RSMo 1939 § 13208, A.L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11589; 1919 § 12727; 1909 § 11309

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.100 May charge for services (second, third, and fourth class counties).

60.100. May charge for services (second, third, and fourth class counties). — In counties of the second, third or fourth class, the county surveyor may charge for his services such a sum as may be agreed upon by such surveyor and the person employing him. For that sum, the surveyor shall employ and pay for the services of the necessary chainmen, rodmen and markers. For that sum, the surveyor shall furnish to the person employing him a plat of the survey made by him, and shall also record the plat as provided by law. (L. 1945 p. 1575 § 2, A.L. 1983 H.B. 133)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.120 Survey, duty to make, fee.

60.120. Survey, duty to make, fee. — The county surveyor shall, within thirty days, when called upon, survey any tract of land or town lot lying in his county, at the expense of the person demanding the same; provided, that his agreed upon fees are first tendered, or that he and his deputies are not engaged in executing previous orders of survey. (RSMo 1939 § 13199, A.L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11580; 1919 § 12718; 1909 § 11300

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.130 Survey, how made when surveyor interested.

60.130. Survey, how made when surveyor interested. — When it shall appear that the county surveyor is interested in any tract of land the title of which is in dispute before the court, the court shall direct the survey or resurvey to be made by some registered land surveyor, who is a noninterested party, who shall be authorized to administer oaths in the same manner as the county surveyor is directed to do, and shall return such survey or resurvey, on oath or affirmation; and shall receive for his services such reasonable fee as determined by the court. (RSMo 1939 § 13201, A.L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11582; 1919 § 12720; 1909 § 11302

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.140 Lands divided by county lines, by whom surveyed.

60.140. Lands divided by county lines, by whom surveyed. — In case any person own or claim lands where the same are divided by a county line, the person owning or claiming such lands, and wishing to have the same surveyed, may apply to the surveyor of any county in which any part of such land is situate; and, on such application being made, the surveyor is authorized and required to make such survey, which shall be as valid as though such lands were situate entirely in one county. (RSMo 1939 § 13203) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11584; 1919 § 12722; 1909 § 11304 CROSS REFERENCE: County boundaries, by whom surveyed, when, 46.010 to 46.030

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.150 Survey may be legal evidence, standards for survey.

60.150. Survey may be legal evidence, standards for survey. — No survey or resurvey shall be admitted into evidence in any court in this state unless it is made by a registered land surveyor, and it can be shown that the survey is located by measurements to monuments of the section, United States survey, subdivision, or other unit in which the property is legally described. A survey may not be rejected, after August 28, 1991, solely on the grounds that it did not commence at a government corner. (RSMo 1939 § 13200, A.L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al., A.L. 1991 H.B. 403, A.L. 1993 H.B. 621) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11581; 1919 § 12719; 1909 § 11301

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.160 Survey, land in dispute.

60.160. Survey, land in dispute. — When lands, the title of which is in dispute before any court, shall be divided by a county line, the court making an order of survey may direct such order to the surveyor of any county in which any part of such land is situate. (RSMo 1939 § 13204) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11585; 1919 § 12723; 1909 § 11305

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.170 Surveyor to execute orders of court.

60.170. Surveyor to execute orders of court. — The county surveyor shall execute all orders given to him directly by any court of record, for surveying or resurveying any tract of land, the title of which is in dispute before such court, and all orders of survey for the partition of real estate. (RSMo 1939 § 13198, A.L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11579; 1919 § 12717; 1909 § 11299

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.185 County surveyors, duties.

*60.185. County surveyors, duties. — The county surveyor of every county or city shall: (1) Keep a fair and correct record of all surveys made by himself and his deputies, in a well-bound book, with a convenient index, to be procured at the expense of the county or city for that purpose, which books and indexes shall be the property of such county or city, and shall be known as the county surveyor's plat book, and every such surveyor shall record in such book a plat of all surveys executed by him or his deputies, within two weeks after the plat of survey has been certified to, and such books shall be kept at the county seat or city hall and subject to inspection by any person interested therein, under the supervision of the county surveyor for such county or city; (2) Number his surveys progressively; (3) Deliver a copy of any plat of survey to any person requiring such a copy, on payment of an amount equal to the fees allowed to the recorder of deeds for such a document, so long as such records shall remain in his possession, and after such record shall have been deposited in the office of the recorder of deeds, the recorder shall, on the request of anyone and on payment of his fees for such service, deliver to such person a duly certified copy of such records under the seal of his office, which shall be accepted as evidence, to all intents and purposes, as the originals themselves; (4) Maintain a copy of corner restoration documents as required in section 60.321 when provided by the Missouri department of agriculture, and subject to inspection and copying by any person interested therein during the normal office hours of the county on payment of the fees allowed to the recorder for similar documents. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al., A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.195 United States field notes on survey of counties, how obtained and filed in ...

*60.195. United States field notes on survey of counties, how obtained and filed in office of county surveyor. — The several county commissions in this state are hereby authorized, in all cases wherein they shall consider it to be the interest of their counties, to obtain from the Missouri department of agriculture a certified copy of so much of the field notes of all surveys lying within their counties, respectively, which have been and may be made by the United States, as relates to the description of the township, section, fractional section, quarter section and legal subdivisional corners, the variation of the needle at which the east and west boundaries of township or range lines were run, the length of the north and south, as well as east and west sectional lines; also, the fallings of all east and west township and sectional lines the same to be filed in the office of the county surveyor of their counties, respectively. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al., A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.205 Failure to perform duties, civil action to obtain fine, amount.

60.205. Failure to perform duties, civil action to obtain fine, amount. — Any county surveyor who shall fail to perform the duties required of him by this chapter shall be fined in a sum not exceeding ninety dollars, to be recovered by civil action, at the suit of the injured party. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.301 Definitions.

60.301. Definitions. — Whenever the following words and terms are used in this chapter they shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended: (1) "Corners of the United States public land survey" , those points that determine the boundaries of the various subdivisions represented on the official plat such as the township corner, the section corner, the quarter-section corner, grant corner , meander corner, and center of section; (2) "Existent corner" , a corner whose position can be identified by verifying the evidence of the original monument or its accessories, or by some physical evidence described in the field notes, or located by an acceptable supplemental survey record or some physical evidence thereof, or by testimony. The physical evidence of a corner may have been entirely obliterated but the corner will be considered existent if its position can be recovered through the testimony of one or more witnesses who have a dependable knowledge of the original location. A legally reestablished corner shall have the same status as an existent corner; (3) "Lost corner" , a corner whose position cannot be determined, beyond reasonable doubt, either from traces of the original marks or from acceptable evidence or testimony that bears upon the original position; (4) "Monument" , the physical object which marks the corner point determined by the surveying process. The accessories, such as bearing trees, bearing objects, reference monuments, mounds of stone and other similar objects that aid in identifying the corner position, are also considered a part of a corner monument; (5) "Obliterated, decayed or destroyed corner" , a position at whose point there are no remaining traces of the original monument or its accessories, but whose location has been perpetuated by subsequent surveys, or the point may be recovered beyond reasonable doubt by the acts and testimony of local residents, competent surveyors, other qualified local authorities or witnesses, or by some acceptable record evidence. A position that depends upon the use of collateral evidence can be accepted only if duly supported, generally through proper relation to known corners, and agreement with the field notes regarding distances to natural objects, stream crossings, line trees, etc., or unquestionable testimony; (6) "Original government survey" , that survey executed under the authority of the United States government as recorded on the official plats and field notes of the United States public land survey maintained by the Missouri department of agriculture; (7) "Proportionate measurement" , a measurement of a line that gives equal relative weight to all parts of the line. The excess or deficiency between two existent corners is so distributed that the amount of excess or deficiency given to each interval bears the same proportion to the whole difference as the record length of the interval bears to the whole record distance: (a) "Single proportionate measurement" , a measurement of a line applied to a new measurement made between known points on a line to determine one or more positions on that line; (b) "Double proportionate measurement" , a measurement applied to a new measurement made between four known corners, two each on intersecting meridional and latitudinal lines, for the purpose of relating the intersection to both. When the total length of the line between the nearest existing corners was not measured in the original government survey, the record distance from one existing corner to the lost corner will be used instead of the proportionate distance. This exception will apply to either or both of the east-west or north-south lines; (8) "Record distance" , the distance or length as shown on the original government survey. In determining record distances, consideration shall be given as to whether the distance was measured on a random or true line. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al., A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650, A.L. 2022 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3) Effective 1-02-23

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.305 Resurvey of United States land survey - rules.

60.305. Resurvey of United States land survey — rules. — In the resurvey of the lands of the United States public land survey, the surveyor shall observe the following rules: (1) The boundaries of the United States public land survey in Missouri are unchangeable; (2) The original township, section, quarter-section and other corners established by the original government survey must stand as the true corners which they were intended to represent, regardless of the location indicated by the field notes and plat; (3) These corners must be restored at the identical spot where the original corner was located by the government survey, when this can be determined; (4) When this cannot be done, the corner is said to be lost and it must be reestablished in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.311 Corners original position to be determined.

60.311. Corners original position to be determined. — The restoration and utilization of the existent corners of the United States public land survey is a prime objective of every survey. Every means shall be undertaken to determine the position of the original corner before deciding that the corner is lost. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.315 Lost corners reestablishment - rules.

60.315. Lost corners reestablishment — rules. — The following rules for the reestablishment of lost corners shall be applied only when it is determined that the corner is lost: (The rules utilize proportional measurement which harmonizes surveying practice with legal and equitable considerations. This plan of relocating a lost corner is always employed unless it can be shown that the corner so located is in substantial disagreement with the general scheme of the original government survey as monumented. In such cases the surveyor shall use procedures that produce results consistent with the original survey of that township.) (1) Existent original corners shall not be disturbed. Consequently, discrepancies between the new and record measurements shall not in any manner affect the measurements beyond the existent corners; but the differences shall be distributed proportionately within the several intervals along the line between the corners; (2) Standard parallels shall be given precedence over other township exteriors, and, ordinarily, the latter shall be given precedence over subdivisional lines; section corners shall be located or reestablished before the position of lost quarter-section corners can be determined; (3) Lost township corners common to four townships shall be reestablished by double proportionate measurement between the nearest existent corners on opposite sides of the lost township corner; (4) Lost township corners located on standard parallels and common only to two townships shall be reestablished by single proportionate measurement between the nearest existent corners on opposite sides of the lost township corner on the standard parallel; (5) Lost corners on township exteriors, excluding corners referenced in subdivision (3) of this section, whether they are standard or closing corners, shall be reestablished by single proportionate measurement on the line connecting the next nearest existent standard or closing corner on opposite sides of the lost corner; (6) A lost interior corner of four sections shall be reestablished by double proportionate measurement; (7) All lost quarter-section corners on the section boundaries within the township shall be reestablished by single proportionate measurement between the adjoining section corners, after the section corners have been identified or reestablished; and (8) Where a line has been terminated with a measurement in one direction only, a lost corner shall be reestablished by record bearing and distance, counting from the nearest regular corner, the latter having been duly identified or reestablished. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al., A.L. 1999 H.B. 776, A.L. 2022 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3) Effective 1-02-23

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.321 Lost corners, monumentation, procedure - violation deemed misconduct.

*60.321. Lost corners, monumentation, procedure — violation deemed misconduct. — For the purpose of perpetuating the corners of the United States public land survey, every surveyor who reestablishes a lost corner or restores an existent corner shall monument the corner and shall file an instrument showing such reestablishment or restoration with the Missouri department of agriculture, in accordance with the specifications and procedures adopted by the Missouri department of agriculture. Any surveyor who willfully and knowingly fails to perpetuate corners in accordance with this section is guilty of misconduct in the practice of land surveying. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al., A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.326 Law not to affect previous surveys.

60.326. Law not to affect previous surveys. — This chapter shall in no way be construed either to affect the legality of surveys legally made and recorded prior to September 28, 1979, or to prevent surveyors from taking advantage of any corners legally established prior to September 28, 1979. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.331 Quarter-sections, how established.

60.331. Quarter-sections, how established. — In subdividing a section into quarter-sections, the land surveyor shall run straight lines from the established quarter-section corners to the opposite quarter-section corners. The point of intersection of the lines thus run will be the corner common to the several quarter-sections, or the legal center of the section. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.335 Quarter-quarter sections, how established.

60.335. Quarter-quarter sections, how established. — In subdividing a quarter-section into quarters, the land surveyor shall: (1) First, establish the quarter-quarter, or sixteenth-section corners at points midway between the quarter-section and section corners or the center of the section, except on the last half mile of the lines closing on township boundaries, where they should be placed by proportionate measurement, as shown on the official government plat; (2) Second, the center lines of the quarter-section will be run straight between opposite corresponding quarter-quarter, or sixteenth-section corners on the quarter-section boundaries. The intersection of the lines thus run will determine the legal center of the quarter-section. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.341 Fractional sections, how established.

60.341. Fractional sections, how established. — In subdividing a fractional section or quarter-section, the land surveyor will run his lines from properly established quarter-section or quarter-quarter-section corners, as the case may be, with courses governed by the conditions represented upon the official government plat, to the lake, watercourse, grant boundary, state line or other irregular boundary which renders such land fractional. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.345 Corners of quarter-sections south of township line, east of range line, how ...

60.345. Corners of quarter-sections south of township line, east of range line, how established. — The quarter-section corners of sections south of the township line and east of the range line, and not established by the original government survey will be established according to the conditions represented upon the official government plat using single proportionate measurement between the section corners belonging to the same section as the quarter-section corner being established, the section corners having first been identified or reestablished. The proportional position shall be offset, if necessary, in a cardinal direction to the true line defined by the nearest adjacent corners on opposite sides of the quarter-section corner to be established. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al., A.L. 2022 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3) Effective 1-02-23

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.351 Destruction of landmarks, duty of county surveyor to report.

60.351. Destruction of landmarks, duty of county surveyor to report. — It shall be the duty of every county surveyor and every deputy county surveyor to report as soon as practicable all violations of law relative to the destruction of landmarks that come under their observation, or of which they have knowledge, to the grand jury or to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the violation occurs. (L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.355 Prohibits removal or destroying of property markers - penalty - damages.

60.355. Prohibits removal or destroying of property markers — penalty — damages. — 1. No person, other than a registered land surveyor registered pursuant to chapter 327 , shall knowingly move, remove, deface or destroy any corner of the United States Public Land Survey System, property boundary marker, bench mark or horizontal control monument. 2. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. 3. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is liable for the cost of reestablishment of permanent monuments or markers by a registered land surveyor. This section shall establish a civil cause of action in favor of any owner of real estate the boundaries of which are affected by a violation of subsection 1 of this section. Venue for such cause of action shall be in the county in which the violation occurs. Damages shall be limited to reasonable surveying costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. (L. 1998 H.B. 1862)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.360 United States field notes on county surveys obtained by county surveyor - ...

60.360. United States field notes on county surveys obtained by county surveyor — cost, how paid. — In all cases where the county surveyor shall have, at his own expense, obtained a certified copy, as provided for in section 60.195 , the county commission shall make a reasonable allowance to such surveyor for such copy, which shall thereafter become the property of the county, and be filed; except that no county surveyor thus furnished with the field notes shall, when called upon to execute any survey, make any additional charge therefor. (RSMo 1939 § 13210, A.L. 1989 H.B. 190, et al.) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11591; 1919 § 12729; 1909 § 11311

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.401 Missouri state plane coordinate system established.

60.401. Missouri state plane coordinate system established. — The most recent system of state plane coordinates established by the National Geodetic Survey, or its successor, based on the National Spatial Reference System, or its successor * , and known as the State Plane Coordinate System, for defining and stating the positions or locations of points on the surface of the earth within the state of Missouri shall be known as the "Missouri State Plane Coordinate System". (L. 1984 S.B. 479, A.L. 2023 H.B. 202 merged with S.B. 138) *Word "successors" appears in original rolls of H.B. 202, 2023.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.410 Projection zone layers.

60.410. Projection zone layers. — The Missouri state plane coordinate system may have one or more projection zone layers. Each layer of zones shall be covered by geodetically referenced mapping projections adopted and supported by the National Geodetic Survey as a component of the National Spatial Reference System. Each layer of zones shall be identified by the geodetic datum upon which they are defined, and each zone shall remain uniquely and consistently defined throughout its implementation within a particular layer. (L. 1965 p. 173 § 2, A.L. 2023 H.B. 202 merged with S.B. 138 §§ 60.410, 60.411)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.431 Position or location, use of plane coordinate to establish.

60.431. Position or location, use of plane coordinate to establish. — The plane coordinate of a point on the earth's surface, to be used in expressing the position or location of the point in the appropriate zone of the Missouri state plane coordinate system, shall consist of two distances expressed in feet and decimals of a foot or in meters and decimals of a meter. If and when values are expressed in feet, the international foot (one international foot equals 0.3048 meters) * shall be used as the standard foot for the Missouri state plane coordinate system. One of these distances, to be known as the "East x-coordinate", shall give the distance east of the Y-axis; the other, to be known as the "North y-coordinate", shall give the distance north of the X-axis. The Y-axis of any zone shall be parallel with the central meridian of that zone. The X-axis of any zone shall be at right angles to the central meridian of that zone. These coordinates shall depend upon and conform to plane rectangular coordinate values as established, published, or broadcast by the National Geodetic Survey, or its successors, and whose plane coordinates have been computed on the systems defined in sections 60.401 to 60.496 . Any such station or method may be used for establishing a survey connection to the Missouri state plane coordinate system. (L. 1984 S.B. 479, A.L. 2023 H.B. 202 merged with S.B. 138) *Words "which is equal to three thousand forty-eight ten-thousandths meter" appear in original rolls of S.B. 138, 2023.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.441 Descriptions involving more than one zone.

60.441. Descriptions involving more than one zone. — When any tract of land to be defined by a single description extends from one into another of the coordinate zones, the positions of all points on its boundaries may be referred to as either of the zones and the zone which is used shall be specifically named in the description. (L. 1984 S.B. 479, A.L. 2023 H.B. 202 merged with S.B. 138)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.471 Use of term limited.

60.471. Use of term limited. — The use of the term "Missouri State Plane Coordinate System" on any map, report of survey, or other document shall be limited to coordinates based on the Missouri state plane coordinate system as defined in sections 60.401 to 60.496 . (L. 1984 S.B. 479, A.L. 2023 H.B. 202 merged with S.B. 138)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.480 Property descriptions based on United States public land survey recognized.

60.480. Property descriptions based on United States public land survey recognized. — Descriptions of tracts of land by reference to subdivisions, lines, or corners of the United States public land survey, or other original pertinent surveys, are hereby recognized as the basic and prevailing method for describing such tracts. Whenever coordinates of the Missouri state plane coordinate system are used in such descriptions they shall be construed as being supplementary to descriptions of such subdivisions, lines, or corners contained in official plats and field notes of record; and, in the event of any conflict, the descriptions by reference to the subdivisions, lines, or corners of the United States public land surveys, or other original pertinent surveys shall prevail over the description by coordinates. (L. 1965 p. 173 § 9, A.L. 2023 H.B. 202 merged with S.B. 138)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.496 Geodetic reference networks, use of permitted.

60.496. Geodetic reference networks, use of permitted. — The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to prohibit the appropriate use of other geodetic reference networks. (L. 2023 S.B. 138)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.510 Powers and duties of department.

60.510. Powers and duties of department. — The functions, duties and responsibilities of the department of agriculture shall be as follows: (1) To restore, maintain, and preserve the land survey monuments, section corners, and quarter section corners established by the United States public land survey within Missouri, together with all pertinent field notes, plats and documents; and also to restore, establish, maintain, and preserve Missouri state and county boundary markers and other boundary markers considered by the department of agriculture to be of importance, or otherwise established by law; (2) To design and cause to be placed at established public land survey corner sites, where practical, substantial monuments permanently indicating, with words and figures, the exact location involved, but if such monuments cannot be placed at the exact corner point, then witness corners of similar design shall be placed as nearby as possible, with words and figures indicating the bearing and distance to the true corner; (3) To establish, maintain, and provide safe storage facilities for a comprehensive system of recordation of information respecting all monuments established by the United States public land survey within this state, and such records as may be pertinent to the department of agriculture's establishment or maintenance of other land corners, Missouri state plane coordinate system stations and accessories, and survey monuments in general; (4) To provide the framework for all geodetic positioning activities in the state. The foundational elements include latitude, longitude, and elevation which contribute to informed decision making and impact on a wide range of important activities including mapping and geographic information systems, flood risk determination, transportation, land use and ecosystem management and use of the Missouri state plane coordinate system, as established by sections 60.401 to 60.496 ; (5) To collect and preserve information obtained from surveys made by those authorized to establish land monuments or land boundaries, and to assist in the proper recording of the same by the duly constituted county officials, or otherwise; (6) To furnish, upon reasonable request and tender of the required fees therefor, certified copies of records created or maintained by the department of agriculture which, when certified by the state land surveyor or a designated assistant, shall be admissible in evidence in any court in this state, as the original record; and (7) To prescribe, and disseminate to those engaged in the business of land surveying, regulations designed to assist in uniform and professional surveying methods and standards in this state. (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 5, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650, A.L. 2023 H.B. 202 merged with S.B. 138)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.530 Surveyor, duties.

*60.530. Surveyor, duties. — The state land surveyor shall, under guidance of the department of agriculture and with the recommendation of the land survey commission, carry out the routine functions and duties of the department of agriculture, as prescribed in sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 . He or she shall, whenever practical, cause all land surveys, except geodetic surveys, to be executed, under his or her direction by the registered county surveyor or a local registered land surveyor when no registered county surveyor exists. He or she shall perform such other work and acts as shall, in the judgment of the department of agriculture and with the recommendation of the land survey commission, be necessary and proper to carry out the objectives of sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 and, within the limits of appropriations made therefor and subject to the approval of the department of agriculture, employ and fix the compensation of such additional employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 . (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 8, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.540 Department may acquire property, how.

*60.540. Department may acquire property, how. — The department of agriculture may acquire, in the name of the state of Missouri, lands or interests therein, where necessary, to establish permanent control stations; and may lease or purchase or acquire by negotiation or condemnation, where necessary, land for the establishment of an office of the land survey program of the department of agriculture. If condemnation is necessary, the attorney general shall bring the suit in the name of the state in the same manner as authorized by law for the acquisition of lands by the state transportation department. (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 9, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.550 Ownership of markers in department, unauthorized tampering prohibited, duty ...

*60.550. Ownership of markers in department, unauthorized tampering prohibited, duty to prosecute. — The custody and ownership of the original United States public land survey corners and accessories, including all restoration and replacements thereof and all accessories, belonging to the state of Missouri is hereby transferred to the department of agriculture. The department of agriculture shall see that the markers are maintained, and the alteration, removal, disfiguration or destruction of any of the corners or accessories, without specific permission of the department of agriculture, is an act of destruction of state property and is a misdemeanor. Any person convicted thereof shall be punished as provided by law. Each of the several prosecuting attorneys is specifically directed to prosecute for the violation of this section for any act of destruction which occurs in his county. (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 10, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.560 Attorney general to advise commission or department.

*60.560. Attorney general to advise commission or department. — Upon their request, the state attorney general shall advise the land survey commission or the department of agriculture or the state land surveyor with respect to any legal matter, and shall represent the land survey commission or department of agriculture in any proceeding in any court of the state in which the land survey commission or land survey program shall be a party. (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 11, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.570 Headquarters, where located - land survey building, name of.

*60.570. Headquarters, where located — land survey building, name of. — 1. The permanent headquarters of the land survey program shall be at or near to the principal office of the Missouri state geological survey. Until such time as other headquarters can be obtained by the land survey program, the state geologist shall provide such space in the state geological survey building as may be available. No department shall charge any fee over or above the amount paid to the office of administration for utilization of the building. The land survey program may also establish and maintain regional offices in the metropolitan areas of the state for the storage and distribution of local survey record information. 2. The building that occupies the permanent headquarters of the land survey program may be renamed and referred to as the "Robert E. Myers Building". (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 12, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.580 Right of entry, immune to trespass arrest.

*60.580. Right of entry, immune to trespass arrest. — The state land surveyor or any and all employees of the department of agriculture have the right to enter upon private property for the purpose of making surveys, or for searching for, locating, relocating, or remonumenting land monuments, leveling stations, or section corners. Should any of these persons necessarily damage property of the owner in making the surveys or searches or remonumentations, the department of agriculture may make reasonable payment for the damage from funds available for that purpose. However, department of agriculture employees are personally liable for any damage caused by their wantonness, willfulness or negligence. All department of agriculture employees are immune from arrest for trespass in performing their legal duties as stated in sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 . (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 13, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.590 Records to be furnished department - department to furnish records, fee - rules.

60.590. Records to be furnished department — department to furnish records, fee — rules. — 1. On request of the department of agriculture or the state land surveyor, all city and county recorders of deeds, together with all departments, boards or agencies of state government, county, or city government, shall furnish to the department of agriculture or the state land surveyor certified copies of desired records which are in their custody. This service shall be free of cost when possible; otherwise, it shall be at actual cost of reproduction of the records. On the same basis of cost, the department of agriculture shall furnish records within its custody to other agencies or departments of state, county or city, certifying them. 2. The department of agriculture may produce, reproduce and sell maps, plats, reports, studies, and records, and shall establish by rule the fees necessary to reflect the costs associated with the production and reproduction under this section. The commission shall recommend to the department of agriculture the charges therefor. All income received shall be promptly deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the department of agriculture land survey revolving services fund. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010 , that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028 . This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void. (L. 1969 S.B. 22 §§ 14, 16, A.L. 1979 H.B. 121, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650, A.L. 2026 S.B. 938)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.595 Department revolving services fund, purpose - unexpended balances.

*60.595. Department revolving services fund, purpose — unexpended balances. — 1. The "Department of Agriculture Land Survey Revolving Services Fund" is hereby created. All funds received by the department of agriculture from the delivery of services and the sale or resale of maps, plats, reports, studies, records and other publications and documents and surveying information, on paper or in electronic format, by the department shall be credited to the fund. The director of the department shall administer the fund. The state treasurer is the custodian of the fund and shall approve disbursements from the fund requested by the director of the department. When appropriated, moneys in the fund shall be used to purchase goods, equipment, hardware and software, maintenance and licenses, software and database development and maintenance, personal services, and other services that will ultimately be used to provide copies of information maintained or provided by the land survey program, reprint maps, publications or other documents requested by governmental agencies or members of the general public; to publish the maps, publications or other documents or to purchase maps, publications or other documents for resale; and to pay shipping charges, but for no other purpose. 2. Effective August 28, 2013, a transfer of moneys between the department of natural resources revolving services fund, created in section 640.065 , and the department of agriculture land survey revolving services fund shall be made such that only the balance related to the reproduction and sale of land survey documents is transferred to the department of agriculture land survey revolving services fund. 3. An unencumbered balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year not exceeding one million dollars is exempt from the provisions of section 33.080 relating to the transfer of unexpended balances to the general revenue fund. 4. The department of agriculture shall report all income to and expenditures from such fund on a quarterly basis to the house budget committee and the senate appropriations committee. (L. 1979 H.B. 121 § 2, A.L. 1993 S.B. 80, et al., A.L. 1999 H.B. 988, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.600 Registered surveyors to be used - private employment prohibited.

*60.600. Registered surveyors to be used — private employment prohibited. — Every employee of the department of agriculture who is engaged in work required by law to be done by a registered land surveyor will be so registered. No employee of the department of agriculture shall engage in private land surveying or consultation while employed by the department of agriculture. (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 15, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.610 Department may contract.

*60.610. Department may contract. — Whenever the department of agriculture deems it expedient, and when funds appropriated permit, the department of agriculture may enter into any contract with agencies of the United States, with agencies of other states, or with private persons, registered land surveyors or professional engineers, in order to plan and execute desired land surveys or geodetic surveys, or to plan and execute other projects which are within the scope and purpose of sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 . (L. 1969 S.B. 22 § 17, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.620 Land survey commission established - appointment - terms - qualifications - ...

*60.620. Land survey commission established — appointment — terms — qualifications — chairman, selection — meetings, quorum — expenses — duties — annual report, content to be public. — 1. There is hereby created the "Land Survey Commission", within the department of agriculture. The commission shall consist of seven members, six of whom shall be appointed by the governor. Members shall reside in this state. Members of the commission shall hold office for terms of three years, but of the original appointments, two members shall serve for one year, two members shall serve for two years, and two members shall serve for three years. Members may serve only three consecutive terms on the commission. 2. The land survey commission shall consist of the following persons: (1) Four members who shall be registered land surveyors, one of which shall be a county surveyor; (2) One member who shall represent the real estate or land title industry; (3) One member who shall represent the public and have an interest in and knowledge of land surveying; and (4) The director of the department of agriculture or his or her designee. The members in subdivisions (1) to (3) of this subsection shall be appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the senate and each shall serve until his or her successor is duly appointed. 3. The land survey commission shall elect a chairman annually. The commission shall meet semiannually and at other such times as called by the chairman of the commission and shall have a quorum when at least four members are present. 4. The land survey commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. 5. The land survey commission shall provide the director of the department of agriculture and the state land surveyor with recommendations on the operation and the planning and prioritization of the land survey program and the design of regulations needed to carry out the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the department of agriculture in sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 . 6. The land survey commission shall recommend to the department of agriculture: (1) A person to be selected and appointed state land surveyor, who shall be the chief administrative officer of the land survey program. The state land surveyor shall be selected on the basis of professional experience and registration; (2) Prioritization and execution of projects which are within the scope and purpose of sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 ; (3) Prioritization and selection of public land survey corner monuments to be reestablished through the county cooperative contracts in accordance with sections 8.285 to 8.291 ; and (4) Approval of all other contracts for the planning and execution of projects which are within the scope and purpose of sections 60.510 to 60.620 and section 60.670 and in accordance with sections 8.285 to 8.291 . 7. The commission shall, at least annually, prepare a report, which shall be available to the general public, of the review by the commission of the land survey program, stating its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the director. 8. By December 1, 2013, the commission shall provide a report to the department of agriculture and general assembly that recommends the appropriate administrative or overhead cost rate that will be charged to the program, where such cost rate shall include all indirect services provided by the department of agriculture and office of administration. (L. 1991 H.B. 403, A.L. 2012 H.B. 1251, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.650 Certain surveys to be filed with recorder.

60.650. Certain surveys to be filed with recorder. — For the purpose of preserving evidence of land surveys, every surveyor who establishes, restores, or reestablishes one or more corners that create a new parcel of land shall file the results of such survey with the recorder of deeds in the county or counties in which the survey is situated within sixty days after the survey has been certified. (L. 1990 S.B. 580)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.653 Recorder of deeds, duties - copies of plats to be evidence when certified.

*60.653. Recorder of deeds, duties — copies of plats to be evidence when certified. — 1. It shall be the duty of the recorder of deeds to maintain a copy of all survey plats delivered to his custody in an appropriate file medium capable of reproduction. 2. Survey plats shall be placed in the plat books or such other record books as have been previously established. 3. A duplicate of the recorded survey plat shall be provided to the land survey program of the department of agriculture at an amount not to exceed the actual cost of the duplicate. 4. The recorder shall maintain an index of all survey plats, subdivision plats, and condominium plats by section, township, and range and by subdivision or condominium name. 5. Copies of survey plats shall be evidence in all courts of justice when properly certified under the hand and official seal of the recorder. (L. 1990 S.B. 580, A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.657 Plat not required to be filed, when.

60.657. Plat not required to be filed, when. — A survey plat is not required to be filed when: (1) It is of a preliminary nature illustrating ideas and intentions and not the results of a survey; (2) It has been recorded under any other provision of law. (L. 1990 S.B. 580)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.659 Penalties.

60.659. Penalties. — Any surveyor who fails to comply with any provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of misconduct in the practice of land surveying. (L. 1990 S.B. 580)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.660 Survey to constitute improvement.

60.660. Survey to constitute improvement. — A recorded survey shall constitute an improvement to the property under section 429.015 . (L. 1990 S.B. 580)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 60.670 Digital cadastral parcel mapping, minimum standards, rulemaking authority.

*60.670. Digital cadastral parcel mapping, minimum standards, rulemaking authority. — 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean: (1) "Cadastral parcel mapping" , an accurately delineated identification of all real property parcels. The cadastral map is based upon the USPLSS. For cadastral parcel maps the position of the legal framework is derived from the USPLSS, existing tax maps, and tax database legal descriptions, recorded deeds, recorded surveys, and recorded subdivision plats; (2) "Digital cadastral parcel mapping" , encompasses the concepts of automated mapping, graphic display and output, data analysis, and database management as pertains to cadastral parcel mapping. Digital cadastral parcel mapping systems consist of hardware, software, data, people, organizations, and institutional arrangements for collecting, storing, analyzing, and disseminating information about the location and areas of parcels and the USPLSS; (3) "Tax map" , a document or map for taxation purposes representing the location, dimensions, and other relevant information pertaining to a parcel of land subject to property taxes; (4) "USPLSS" or "United States Public Land Survey System" , a survey executed under the authority of the United States government as recorded on the official plats and field notes of the United States public land survey maintained by the land survey program of the department of agriculture. 2. The office of the state land surveyor established within the department of agriculture shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for digital cadastral parcel mapping. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010 , that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028 . This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2010, shall be invalid and void. 3. Any map designed and used to reflect legal property descriptions or boundaries for use in a digital cadastral mapping system shall comply with the rules promulgated under this section, unless the party requesting the map specifies otherwise in writing, the map was designed and in use prior to the promulgation of the rules, or the parties requesting and designing the map have already agreed to the terms of their contract on the effective date of the rules promulgation. (L. 2010 H.B. 1692, et al., A.L. 2013 H.B. 28 merged with H.B. 650) Effective 8-28-13 (H.B. 28); 10-11-13 (H.B. 650) *H.B. 650 effective 10-11-13, see § 21.250. H.B. 650 was vetoed July 12, 2013. The veto was overridden on September 11, 2013.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=60Fetched: 10/17/2026