# Business Occupations and Professions (GBO)

## Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions

### Subtitle 3. Survey Stations

#### Section 1-301

(a) "Authorized person" means:

  (1) a professional engineer who is licensed under Title 14 of this article;

  (2) a professional land surveyor who is licensed under Title 15 of this article; or

  (3) an authorized representative of the professional engineer or the professional land surveyor who is executing a survey.

(b) If entry is for the purpose of using the horizontal or vertical position data in controlling surveys of land for cadastral purposes or for other private or public engineering purposes, an authorized person may enter on any private land on which there is a marked survey station for which the horizontal or vertical position has been determined:

  (1) by or under the direction of the National Geodetic Survey;

  (2) as a part of the Maryland coordinate system; or

  (3) by or under the direction of any other organization whose survey stations have been established by or in accordance with the requirements of the State agency authorized to administer the Maryland coordinate system.

#### Section 1-302

(a) An authorized person may not unnecessarily damage the property on which a survey station stands.

(b)

  (1) Prior to entry on the property, an authorized person and the owner of the property shall agree on the amount to be paid for any damage to the property.

  (2) On the completion of the work at the survey station, the authorized person shall promptly reimburse the owner of the property for any damage done to the property by the authorized person who entered on the property.

(c) If, prior to entry on the property, the authorized person and the owner of the property have not agreed on the amount to be paid for any damage to the property, the authorized person shall file a surety bond in the circuit court of the county in which the property is located in an amount to be approved by the court, conditioned on the payment of all damages and costs as provided under subsection (d) of this section.

(d)

  (1) The circuit court shall appoint three appraisers who are residents of the county in which the property is located to determine the amount to be paid for any damage to the property.

  (2) The proceedings for the ascertainment of damages shall be in accordance with the provisions of Title 8, Subtitle 3 of the Transportation Article relating to the acquisition of private property for a public purpose.

#### Section 1-303

(a) If the damages awarded under Sec. 1-302(d) of this subtitle do not exceed the amount tendered by the authorized person under Sec. 1-302(b) of this subtitle, the owner of the property shall pay the costs of the proceeding under Sec. 1-302(d) of this subtitle.

(b) If the damages awarded under Sec. 1-302(d) of this subtitle exceed the amount tendered by the authorized person, the authorized person shall pay the costs of the proceeding.

#### Section 1-304

(a) This section applies to any survey station established by or under the direction of:

  (1) the National Geodetic Survey;

  (2) the State agency administering the Maryland coordinate system;

  (3) any other organization whose survey stations have been established by or in accordance with the requirements of the State agency authorized to administer the Maryland coordinate system; or

  (4) any other State, municipal, or county agency.

(b) Any person who willfully injures, defaces, or destroys the mark or monument at any survey station described in subsection (a) of this section or offers any obstacles to the proper, reasonable, and legal use of the station is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed $250 for each offense and costs, or shall be imprisoned for a term of not less than 6 months, or both.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)