Land feasibility involves a lot of jargon. Here is every term explained in plain English so you know exactly what you are getting.
ALTA Survey
American Land Title Association
A comprehensive land survey meeting national standards required by lenders and title companies. Covers boundaries, easements, encroachments, and improvements. More detailed than a standard boundary survey.
APN
Assessor Parcel Number
A unique number assigned to every parcel of land by the county assessor. Used to identify your property in government records. You can find it on your property tax bill or county assessor website.
Bearing Capacity
The maximum load a soil can support without failing or settling excessively. A geotechnical survey measures bearing capacity to determine what type of foundation your home will need.
Bore Log
Also: borehole log
A detailed record of soil layers encountered when drilling a hole into the ground during a geotechnical survey. Documents soil type, color, moisture, and strength at different depths.
Drain Field
Also: leach field
The underground network of perforated pipes that distribute treated wastewater from a septic tank into the surrounding soil. The size and design depend on soil type and percolation test results.
Easement
Also: right-of-way
A legal right to use a portion of someone else land for a specific purpose, such as access, utilities, or drainage. Easements are recorded on the title and must be identified in a land survey.
Feasibility Study
A comprehensive assessment of whether a parcel of land can support a proposed use, typically residential construction. Includes evaluations of soil, water, access, and regulatory requirements needed to obtain a building permit.
Geotechnical Survey
Also: geotech, soils report
A professional investigation of subsurface soil and rock conditions. Includes drilling, sampling, lab testing, and a stamped engineering report that informs foundation design. Required by most counties for new residential construction.
Hydrogeologist
A licensed professional who studies groundwater systems. For well site evaluations, a hydrogeologist assesses the likelihood of finding adequate water, estimates well yield, and prepares reports for health department approval.
Mound System
Also: raised drain field
A type of septic system built above ground when native soil has limited capacity to treat wastewater. Common in areas with high water tables, shallow bedrock, or slow-draining soils like caliche. More expensive than conventional drain fields.
Onsite Sewage System
Also: OSS, septic system
A private wastewater treatment system installed on your property when public sewer is unavailable. Includes a septic tank, distribution components, and a drain field. Design must be approved by the county health department.
Perc Test
Also: percolation test
A field test that measures how quickly water drains through soil. The result (measured in minutes per inch) determines whether the soil can support a conventional septic drain field and informs the design of your onsite sewage system.
Plat
Also: plat map
A scaled map or plan of a parcel of land showing boundaries, dimensions, easements, and other features. A recorded plat is filed with the county and becomes part of the public property record.
Septic Tank
An underground tank that collects and partially treats household wastewater through natural bacterial processes. Solids settle to the bottom, and clarified liquid flows out to the drain field. Must be sized appropriately for the number of bedrooms.
Setback
Also: building setback
The minimum required distance between a structure and a property line, road, or other feature. Setbacks are established by county zoning and must be documented in the land survey for permit compliance.
Soil Log
Also: soil boring
A record of soil types and characteristics observed at various depths during a subsurface investigation. Required for both geotechnical surveys and septic site evaluations to understand what lies beneath the surface.
Topographic Survey
Also: topo
A survey that maps the elevation and shape of the land surface using contour lines. Essential for designing grading, drainage, and building placement. Architects and engineers use topo data to produce accurate site plans.
Water Rights
A legal entitlement to use a specific amount of water from a ground or surface source. In Washington State, new wells typically require a water right permit from the Department of Ecology. Your hydrogeologist can advise on the process.
Well Yield
Measured in GPM (gallons per minute)
The rate at which water flows from a well, typically measured in gallons per minute. A residential home generally requires at least 1 GPM sustained yield. The well site evaluation estimates expected yield before drilling begins.
Zoning
Also: land use designation
County or municipal rules that specify what can be built on a parcel of land. Zoning codes establish allowed uses, minimum lot sizes, setbacks, and density. Your feasibility study is conducted within the context of your current zoning designation.
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