National standards for the survey of Canada Lands

This document provides professional Canada Lands Surveyors with the technical standards that apply to surveys undertaken on Canada Lands and for lands required to be surveyed under provisions of the Canada Lands Surveys Act. It constitutes the instructions of the Surveyor General for surveys of Canada Lands as specified in Section 24(2) of the Canada Lands Surveys Act.

National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2) (PDF, 3.5 MB)
- Official release of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2) - January 1, 2022 (PDF, 488.2 KB) (Coming into force of Version 1.2 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands)

Addendum 1.21 - December 19^th 2024 (PDF, 287.9 KB)
Object: Amendment to Section 3.3 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)

Addendum 1.22 - December 19^th 2024 (PDF, 248.7 KB)
Object: Amendment to Section 5.1.4. of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)

Addendum 1.23 - July 25^th 2025 (PDF, 553.0 KB)
Object: Amendment to Section 4.2 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)

Addendum 1.24 - July 25^th 2025 (PDF, 479.5 KB)
Object: Amendment to Section 2.7 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)

Specimen Plans - PDF [Click to view/hide]

#0 Digital Plan

(PDF, 243.8 KB) >
#1 Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, South of 60

(PDF, 315.6 KB) >
#1A Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, South of 60 (Digitally Signed)

(PDF, 1.3 MB) >
#2 Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, North of 60

(PDF, 972.5 KB) >
#3 Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, National Park - Bilingual

(PDF, 215.0 KB) >
#4 Plan of Survey of Parcel and Road

(PDF, 194.5 KB) >
#5 Plan of Survey of Parcel with Remainder - Option 1

(PDF, 222.5 KB) >
#5A Plan of Survey of Parcel with Remainder - Option 2

(PDF, 208.7 KB) >
#6 Plan of Survey of Lots and Road

(PDF, 229.3 KB) >
#6A Plan of Survey of Lots and Road and Right-of-Way

(PDF, 249.9 KB) >
#7 Plan of Survey of Lots and Road and Utility Right-of-Way

(PDF, 231.5 KB) >
#8 Plan of Survey of Highway Widening

(PDF, 278.1 KB) >
#9 Plan of Resurvey of Jurisdictional Boundary

(PDF, 271.9 KB) >
#10 Compiled Plan of Lots

(PDF, 167.2 KB) >
#11 Compiled Plan of Lots

(PDF, 235.6 KB) >
#11A Compiled Plan of Lots ____ and Field Notes of Survey

(PDF, 169.2 KB) >
#11B Plan of Survey of Lots ___ and Compiled Plan of Lot ___

(PDF, 200.7 KB) >
#12A Explanatory Plan of Utility Right-of-Way

(PDF, 178.9 KB) >
#12B Explanatory Plan of Parcel

(PDF, 168.0 KB) >
#13 Supplementary Field Notes (in Plan Form)

(PDF, 328.9 KB) >
#14 Field Notes of Survey of Parcels (in Plan Form)

(PDF, 223.1 KB) >
#16A Field Notes of Restoration of Monuments (LS56)

(PDF, 133.9 KB) >
#16B Field Notes of Re-Establishment and Restoration of Monuments (LS56)

(PDF, 139.1 KB) >
#18 Plan of Survey of Lots, Blocks, and Road (for Deferred Monumentation)

(PDF, 550.4 KB) >
#19 Field Notes of Final Placement of Monuments (for Deferred Monumentation)

(PDF, 397.4 KB) >
#20A Plan of Survey of Building Units

(PDF, 120.9 KB) >
#20B Plan of Survey of Building Units

(PDF, 187.7 KB) >
#20C Plan of Survey of Building Units without Parent Parcel

(PDF, 168.4 KB) >
#23 Plan of Survey of Condominium (floor plan of building units)

(PDF, 174.8 KB) >
#24 Plan of Survey of Condominium (X-section view of building units)

(PDF, 107.7 KB) >
#25 Plan of Survey of Bare Land Condominium

(PDF, 357.2 KB) >
#26 Plan of Survey of Air Space Parcels

(PDF, 168.3 KB) >
#27 Plan of Survey of Wellsite and Access Road

(PDF, 402.3 KB) >
#28 Plan of Survey of Pipeline Right-of-Way

(PDF, 680.9 KB) >
#29 Plan of Survey of Oil and Gas Well (Onshore)

Under Development
#30 Plan of Survey of Oil and Gas Well (Offshore Platform)

Under Development
#32 Plan of Survey of Mineral Claim in NT

(PDF, 259.4 KB) >
#33 Plan of Survey of Mineral Claim in YT

(PDF, 280.8 KB) >
#34 Plan of Survey Base Line in YT

(PDF, 279.6 KB) >
#35 Plan of Survey of Mineral Claim in NU

(PDF, 211.7 KB) >
#36 Compiled Plan and Field Notes of Survey of Mineral Claim in NU

(PDF, 210.9 KB) >

Specimen Plans - DWG [Click to view/hide]

Note: In order to properly view the AutoCAD files, the following fonts are required [Click to download]
Leroy.SHX
DotFont.SHX

#0 Digital Plan

PDF only
#1 Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, South of 60

(DWG, 1.7 MB)
#1A Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, South of 60 (Digitally Signed)

PDF only
#2 Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, North of 60

(DWG, 2.8 MB)
#3 Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, National Park - Bilingual

(DWG, 212.9 KB)
#4 Plan of Survey of Parcel and Road

(DWG, 340.5 KB)
#5 Plan of Survey of Parcel with Remainder - Option 1

(DWG, 187.3 KB)
#5A Plan of Survey of Parcel with Remainder - Option 2

(DWG, 183.5 KB)
#6 Plan of Survey of Lots and Road

(DWG, 174.2 KB)
#6A Plan of Survey of Lots and Road and Right-of-Way

(DWG, 183.1 KB)
#7 Plan of Survey of Lots and Road and Utility Right-of-Way

(DWG, 175.8 KB)
#8 Plan of Survey of Highway Widening

(DWG, 181.5 KB)
#9 Plan of Resurvey of Jurisdictional Boundary

(DWG, 1.3 MB)
#10 Compiled Plan of Lots

(DWG, 152.8 KB)
#11 Compiled Plan of Lots

(DWG, 334.0 KB)
#11A Compiled Plan of Lots ____ and Field Notes of Survey

(DWG, 223.1 KB)
#11B Plan of Survey of Lots ___ and Compiled Plan of Lot ___

(DWG, 204.8 KB)
#12A Explanatory Plan of Utility Right-of-Way

(DWG, 262.5 KB)
#12B Explanatory Plan of Parcel

(DWG, 312.9 KB)
#13 Supplementary Field Notes (in Plan Form)

(DWG, 1.6 MB)
#14 Field Notes of Survey of Parcels (in Plan Form)

(DWG, 489.7 KB)
#16A Field Notes of Restoration of Monuments (LS56)

(DWG, 245.5 KB)
#16B Field Notes of Re-Establishment and Restoration of Monuments (LS56)

(DWG, 244.7 KB)
#18 Plan of Survey of Lots, Blocks, and Road (for Deferred Monumentation)

(DWG, 773.7 KB)
#19 Field Notes of Final Placement of Monuments (for Deferred Monumentation)

(DWG, 725.2 KB)
#20A Plan of Survey of Building Units

(DWG, 334.2 KB)
#20B Plan of Survey of Building Units

(DWG, 228.3 KB)
#20C Plan of Survey of Building Units without Parent Parcel

(DWG, 215.4 KB)
#23 Plan of Survey of Condominium (floor plan of building units)

(DWG, 1.3 MB)
#24 Plan of Survey of Condominium (X-section view of building units)

(DWG, 1.3 MB)
#25 Plan of Survey of Bare Land Condominium

(DWG, 275.2 KB)
#26 Plan of Survey of Air Space Parcels

(DWG, 241.3 KB)
#27 Plan of Survey of Wellsite and Access Road

(DWG, 406.1 KB)
#28 Plan of Survey of Pipeline Right-of-Way

(DWG, 332.9 KB)
#29 Plan of Survey of Oil and Gas Well (Onshore)

Under Development
#30 Plan of Survey of Oil and Gas Well (Offshore Platform)

Under Development
#32 Plan of Survey of Mineral Claim in NT

(DWG, 452.6 KB)
#33 Plan of Survey of Mineral Claim in YT

(DWG, 469.7 KB)
#34 Plan of Survey Base Line in YT

(DWG, 1.5 MB)
#35 Plan of Survey of Mineral Claim in NU

(DWG, 399.8 KB)
#36 Compiled Plan and Field Notes of Survey of Mineral Claim in NU

(DWG, 400.9 KB)

Regional chapters

These official statements on local survey requirements support the national standards. Each one went into effect on its approval date.

British Columbia [Click to view/hide]

- Regional Chapter No. 2020-01 - March 3^rd, 2020
  - Object: Information and clarification when surveying Sechelt Lands
(PDF, 181.3 KB)
- Regional Chapter No. 2026-01 - January 8^th, 2026
  - Subject: Surveys of highways and road interest parcels in British Columbia
(PDF, 391.6 KB)

New Brunswick [Click to view/hide]

- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)
- Specimen plan: Boundary maintenance
(PDF, 160.5 KB)
- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB)

Newfoundland and Labrador [Click to view/hide]

- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)
- Specimen plan: Boundary maintenance
(PDF, 160.5 KB)
- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB)

Nova Scotia [Click to view/hide]

- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)
- Specimen plan: Boundary maintenance
(PDF, 160.5 KB)
- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB)

Ontario [Click to view/hide]

- Regional Chapter No. 2020-02 - July 9^th, 2020
  - Object: To provide additional information for Surveys Utilizing Aerial Imagery Products
(PDF, 689.5 KB)
- Regional Chapter No. 2021-01 - March 24^th, 2021
  - Object: Surveys of Flooding Easements
(PDF, 226.0 KB)
- Specimen Plan: Plan of Survey of Easement (Flooding)
(DWG 978.2 KB)
- Specimen Plan: Plan of Survey of Easement (Flooding)
(PDF, 371.3 KB)

Prince Edward Island [Click to view/hide]

- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)
- Specimen plan: Boundary maintenance
(PDF, 160.5 KB)
- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB)

Quebec [Click to view/hide]

- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)
- Specimen plan: Boundary maintenance
(PDF, 160.5 KB)
- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5^th 2016
  - Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB)

Interdepartmental and intergovernmental agreements

Interdepartmental Agreement related to the Cooperation in the Area of Surveys and the Specifications for Descriptions of Lands for Transactions on Reserve Lands, 2014 (PDF, 189.4 KB)

As of January 2015, this agreement superseded the Interdepartmental Agreement with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development re Land Transactions on Reserve Lands, 2009, published in Chapter B1-2 of the General Instructions for Surveys, e-Edition.
Parks Canada Agency (PCA) Framework Accord Providing a General Framework for the Provision of Professional Advice, Consultation, Land Survey and Mapping Services, 2019 (PDF, 827.3 KB)

As of July 2019, this agreement replaced the Interdepartmental Agreement re Description of Canada Lands, 1955.
Intergovernmental Agreement with British Columbia on Boundary Re-establishment Principles post Earthquake, 2025 (PDF, 293.1 KB)

As of April 2025, this agreement outlines the guiding principles and responsibilities of the respective parties in the adoption of special survey standards for the re-establishment of boundaries after an earthquake.
Memorandum of Agreement with British Columbia Respecting Legal Surveys of Highways over or through Canada Lands in British Columbia, 2025 (PDF, 2.4 MB)

As of May 2025, this agreement superseded the Intergovernmental Agreement with British Columbia Respecting Legal Surveys of Highways over or through Indian Reserves, Sechelt Lands and Westbank Lands, 2015.
Intergovernmental Agreement with the Province of Alberta re Town of Banff Incorporation Agreement, 1989

This agreement came into force retroactively on December 8, 1989 (P.C. 1989-2441).

Guides and Practice Resources

A collection of published guides and practice resources for land surveyors and other land professionals.

Land Surveyors

Guidelines for the use of Compiled Plans (PDF, 723.1 KB)
Best Practices: Surveying a boundary contiguous with Canada Lands (PDF, 90.1 KB)
Policy 2017-01: Canada Land Surveyors surveying a Jurisdictional Boundary (PDF, 291.7 KB)
Historical general instructions of the Surveyor General
Proposing changes to the National Standards

Land Managers and other Land Professionals

Latest updates

This is a chronological listing of updates, amendments and announcements related to the Surveyor General's instructions.

Title	Date
Addendum 1.23 - Amendment to Section 4.2 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)	2025-07-25
Addendum 1.24 - Amendment to Section 2.7 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)	2025-07-25
New Specimen Plan #11B	2025-07-25
Update of Specimen Plan #6A	2025-04-24
Addendum 1.21 - Amendment to Section 3.3 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)	2024-12-19
Addendum 1.22 - Amendment to Section 5.1.4. of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)	2024-12-19
Official release of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)	2022-01-01
Update of Specimen Plans #18 and #19 and removal of Specimen Plan #17	2021-11-26
New Specimen Plans #20A, #20B and #20C; and removal of Specimen Plan #20	2021-03-29
New Regional Chapter (Ontario) - Regional Chapter 2021-01	2021-03-24
New Specimen Plan: Plan of Survey of Easement (Flooding)	2021-03-24
Specimen Plans update - New AutoCAD and PDF files for Specimen Plan #32	2021-02-01
New Specimen Plans #35 and #36	2021-02-01
Specimen Plans update - New AutoCAD and PDF files for Specimen Plans #10, 11 and #11A	2020-07-14
Regional Chapters update - Regional Chapter No. 2020-02	2020-07-09
Regional Chapters update - Regional Chapter No. 2020-01	2020-03-03

Historical publications

Historical general instructions of the Surveyor General.

How to propose changes to the national standards

Individual Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS) members, regional groups, client departments or agencies, and specific working groups of the ACLS may submit a proposal for changes to the national standards. An ACLS Standards of Practice Committee working group assesses each proposal and may wordsmith it or make recommendations before sending the final results to the Surveyor General Branch. Addenda that are approved by the Surveyor General are published on this website and eventually integrated into the standards.

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