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Bill

HB 716

Land Surveyors and Property Line Surveyors - Private Property Access - Prohibition

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Bouchat and 6 co-sponsors

Maryland bill prohibits land surveyors from accessing private property without written owner consent, potentially complicating real estate transactions and boundary dispute resolution.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 716

Legislative bill overview

HB 716 prohibits land surveyors and property line surveyors from accessing private property without explicit written consent from the property owner. The bill establishes penalties for unauthorized access and creates a legal framework for property owners to refuse surveyor entry onto their land.

Why is this important

This directly affects how property surveys are conducted in Maryland, potentially impacting real estate transactions, boundary disputes, and development projects that rely on surveying work. Property owners gain explicit control over surveyor access, but the restriction could complicate or delay surveys needed for mortgage lending, insurance, or legal proceedings.

Potential points of contention

  • Practical complications: Many surveys are initiated by third parties (lenders, title companies, buyers) rather than the property owner directly, creating questions about whose written consent is required and enforcement mechanisms
  • Transaction delays: Real estate closings and development projects depend on timely surveys; stricter access requirements could create bottlenecks and increase costs
  • Boundary dispute resolution: Surveyors may struggle to access neighboring properties needed to establish disputed property lines, potentially making legal resolution of boundary issues more difficult and expensive

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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