The updated ALTA/NSPS Minimum Standard Detail Requirements took effect on February 23, 2026 and supersede all earlier versions. The most notable change is a revised definition of Relative Positional Precision (RPP). Surveyors now obtain adjoining property deeds themselves, and a new optional Table A item 20 puts a summary of physical conditions and potential encroachments on the face of the plat. For drafters, that means more notes, tables and cross-references on every ALTA/NSPS drawing. ALTA/NSPS Key Changes And Updates In The 2026 Standards | Benesch Law +2

Key takeaways

• The 2026 standards apply to new ALTA/NSPS survey contracts signed on or after February 23, 2026.

• Most transactions won’t see a big change in scope or cost, but the finished drawing carries more documentation.

• Table A item 20 is optional and negotiable, but it changes how plats are laid out.

• Drafting templates, notes and QA checklists built for the 2021 standards need updating.

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What are the 2026 ALTA/NSPS standards?

The Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys are the national benchmark for surveys used in commercial real estate transactions. After more than three years of work by a joint work group, ALTA and NSPS adopted the 2026 edition in October 2025. The group is made up of roughly equal numbers of surveyors and title professionals. The standards are reviewed every five years. ALTA Land Survey

This isn’t a reinvention. Most transactions won’t see a meaningful change in scope, cost or timeline. What changed is how much the surveyor must document and who gathers which records. ALTA Land Survey

When do the 2026 standards apply?

Any new agreement to prepare an ALTA/NSPS survey on or after February 23, 2026 must follow the 2026 standards. Survey requests must specify that a “2026 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey” is required, along with any optional Table A items. Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLPYmaws

Projects that straddle the cutoff need care. If a contract was signed before February 23 but the survey finishes after it, surveyors may want to address which standards apply with the client, title insurer and lender, and write that into the contract. An “update” is legally a new survey, because the surveyor certifies current conditions and compliance with the current standards.

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What changed in the 2026 standards?

Change What the 2026 Standards Say Drafting Impact
RPP Definition The definition of Relative Positional Precision was reworded and simplified. Check that the RPP wording in your notes and surveyor's report matches the new definition.
Adjoining Deeds The requirement that the title insurer supply adjoining deeds was eliminated. Adjoiner record data must be in the drawing file early, from the surveyor's own research.
Title Evidence The surveyor must receive the most recent title commitment or other title evidence satisfactory to the insurer, and should note the evidence provided on the plat or in the surveyor's report. Add or update the title evidence note in your template.
Tools and Technology Sections 5 and 6 now refer to generally accepted professional practices rather than naming approved tools such as drones, AI or LiDAR. Data source doesn't change the drafting standard, but QA matters more.
Possession and Occupation Wording was added so that evidence of possession or occupation applies regardless of distance from the perimeter boundary. Show occupation lines beyond the 5-foot buffer where observed.
Utilities The 10-foot distance applies only to utility poles. Update utility symbology and location rules.
Access The section now specifies vehicular access. Confirm access notes and linework.
Easements Offsite easements that benefit the property are now called appurtenant easements, and easements not in the commitment can end in ways other than release. Label easements consistently and note any that the commitment doesn't list.
Certifications A new subsection addresses requests to certify to "ATIMA" and "ISAOA" parties. Review certification block wording with the surveyor of record.
Table A Wording The wording of any Table A item is negotiable, and modifications must be explained in a note on the face of the plat. Add notes when item wording is modified.

Table A item 20: the change drafters will notice first

Item 20 requires the surveyor to summarize conditions and potential encroachments in a table on the face of the plat, with each condition readily locatable on the drawing. It is optional, and the items listed come directly from Sections 5 and 6, so they are already required to be shown. The surveyor is now tabulating them. Lexology

The work group had two reasons. People who review surveys often aren’t well-versed in reading them, and many surveyors already provide a table summarizing potential title problems.

For the drafter, item 20 raises practical questions:

• Sheet space: Does the table fit without crowding the linework or notes?

• Cross-referencing: Does every row point to a labeled location on the plat, and does every flagged condition appear in the table?

• Consistency: Do the table, the plat and the surveyor’s report all say the same thing?

Separately, surveyors must note on the face of the plat any verbal statements from landowners or occupants about title or boundary issues. Lexology

What the 2026 standards mean for land survey drafting

Even where scope, cost and timing stay similar, clients will see more detailed surveys, additional explanatory notes and closer coordination between surveyors and title companies. That extra documentation lands on the drafting desk. In practice, firms should expect to: Holland & Knight

1. Update templates. Title blocks, standard notes and certification wording built for 2021 need review against the 2026 red-line.

2. Add face-of-plat notes. These include title evidence relied on, modified Table A items, verbal statements, and, where item 15 is used, the imagery-related notes. Item 15 raeturned to its original purpose as a way to show some features from imagery rather than ground survey, and it comes with written agreement and note requirements.

3. Tighten linework rules. Occupation lines, utility evidence, vehicular access and appurtenant easements all have updated treatment.

4. Manage versions. During the transition, a firm may have some projects under 2021 contracts and others under 2026.

5. Keep QA independent of data source. The standards don’t say which technologies are acceptable, leaving that to the normal standard of care. Whether the data came from a total station, a drone or LiDAR, the drawing still has to be checked against the standards.

2026 ALTA/NSPS drafting checklist

• Title block and certification wording match the 2026 standards and the contract

• Survey request and drawing reference the 2026 ALTA/NSPS standards

• Title evidence relied on is noted on the plat or in the surveyor’s report

• Adjoiner deed references are current

• Modified Table A items carry an explanatory note

• Verbal statements from owners or occupants are noted where required

• Table A item 20 table (if selected) matches labeled locations on the plat

• Occupation lines shown regardless of distance from the perimeter

• Utility evidence shown, with the 10-foot rule applied to poles only

• Vehicular access and appurtenant easements labeled

• RPP language matches the updated definition

• Final QA and sign-off by the licensed surveyor of record

How land survey drafting support helps

Under the 2026 standards, the licensed surveyor still makes the calls and certifies the survey. Drafting support handles the production work that follows. That can include converting field data into CAD, applying 2026-ready templates and notes, building the item 20 table, and running a consistency check before the drawing goes back for review.

For a surveying firm, that support is most useful in three situations: the busy season, a backlog after the standards change, and template updates while billable staff stay on fieldwork and client work.

Alada Solutions provides land survey drafting support for surveying and civil engineering firms.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did the 2026 ALTA/NSPS standards take effect?

 The standards took effect on February 23, 2026, and any new agreement to prepare an ALTA/NSPS survey on or after that date must follow them. Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP

They replaced the 2021 standards, including the Table A optional survey responsibilities and specifications. Lexology

For most real estate transactions, the revisions won’t materially expand scope, cost or timing. They do increase the documentation and explanatory notes on the finished survey. Holland & Knight

 It’s a newly added optional item that adds a table to the face of the plat summarizing physical conditions and potential encroachments, with references to where each one is located. Harris Beach Murtha

 No. It’s optional, and its use should be negotiated between the surveyor and the client or lender.

The 2026 standards avoid naming acceptable tools. They refer to practices generally accepted by the surveying profession instead.

Yes, as production support. The licensed surveyor of record reviews the drawing, remains responsible for it and provides the certification.