Understanding Access and New 2026 Responsibilities

One of the items the user of an ALTA Survey wants to clearly comprehend from a review is access to a public roadway from the surveyed property or indications that there is no access. More importantly, the title insurer needs verification to provide an access endorsement to the title policy when requested. With the adoption of the 2026 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements, a clarification has been made in Section 5.B.iii that requires the surveyor to observe and note not only physical access to the surveyed property, but also vehicular access. These considerations are vital to understand and to confirm not only what the endorsement covers but to be sure the property is accessible for use.

Within Section 5.B of the Minimum Standards, the surveyor is responsible for certain observations and to report field evidence that indicates access or lack of access to the surveyed property. These include but are not limited to, reporting the name of any street that abuts the surveyed property along with the right of way width and a depiction of the traveled roadway, edge of pavements and width. Indication of whether the roadway is public or private. Evidence of both vehicular and physical access such as driveways and/or curb cuts. In the above image, all of these features are shown and indicated on the drawing along with two arrows that indicate a point of ingress and egress to the roadway. As all of these features are depicted but not labeled, it is not entirely clear that the property has both vehicular and physical access at this point from the property to the traveled roadway within the public road right-of-way. On this above survey, the surveyor makes is clearly understood by also providing the below general miscellaneous note:

The provision of a general note is not required by the Minimum Standards, but when provided it is now clear that there are no access issues for the surveyed property and the access endorsement can easily be obtained. When the surveyor states direct access, that is an indication that the surveyed property line is one in the same as the road right-of-way line and no other means such as an access easement over the lands of others is needed to access the roadway. 

A surveyor well versed in the needs of the user of an ALTA survey may provide a similar notation, but it is not a requirement. A surveyor should be agreeable to the same and a request for such a notation can be negotiated by utilizing blank Table A Item 21 of the Optional Table A Item listing. 



In our more than fifty-year history, NV5 has been a leader in educating the industry of revisions and changes made to the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements. We issue a revised version of our Due Diligence Handbook when the new standards are adopted. Most importantly, we offer classes and seminars that may be eligible for continuing education credit to the industry presenting the changes and their impact on both title, surveyors and user of the survey. We will be scheduling in person and virtual presentations and look forward to many opportunities. Please reach out to your client service representative, your Project Manager or email david.brewer@nv5.com for more information. Future newsletters will also address revisions so stay tuned.