Surveyors Right of Entry Bill Filed in Rhode Island

Surveyors Right of Entry Bill Filed in Rhode Island

By Shaine R. Bonin, PLS

Bill Introduced in Rhode Island General Assembly: S 0756, An Act Relating to Businesses and Professions - Land Surveyors

The 2023 S 0756 law, introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly on March 23, relates to businesses and professions, specifically land surveyors. The law grants professional land surveyors with a current and valid certificate of registration the right of entry to perform surveying services at the request of a landowner or person with an interest in real estate. This right of entry allows the land surveyor to enter upon or cross any lands, air, space, or water resource, whether publicly or privately owned, except for certain properties such as public or private utilities, railroads, airports, limited access highways, security facilities, or properties with documented safety or security plans. However, the law also imposes certain limitations and responsibilities on the land surveyor, such as not authorizing intentional destruction, injury, damage, or movement of objects without owner permission, and compliance with federal and state safety rules and regulations. The law also requires the land surveyor to make reasonable efforts to notify the landowner and person in possession of the land or resource prior to entry, and provide information on located, established, or reestablished corners that may affect the boundaries of the land. The law becomes effective upon passage.

This bill is currently in the Rhode Island Senate Commerce Committee.