Looking for a land surveyor in Chicago, IL? Describe your project once and up to three licensed surveyors who work in Chicago and Cook County get back to you with a quote. It's free and there is no obligation.
Chicago is home to about 2,721,308 people (2024 Census Bureau estimate), a stable community (−1.0% since 2020). With 11,949 people per sq mi, it is a densely built-up area, which shapes the typical jobs local surveyors handle: lot and fence questions in built-up neighborhoods, larger parcels and new construction on the edges of town.
Chicago at a glance
- Population (Census Bureau estimate, 2024)
- 2,721,308 (−1.0% since 2020)
- Rank in Illinois
- 1st of 1,294 cities and towns
- Land area
- 228 sq mi
- Population density
- 11,949 people per sq mi (densely built-up)
- Type
- City (Chicago city)
- Main county
- Cook County
What to check before hiring in Chicago
- License: in Illinois, as in every state, boundary, ALTA/NSPS and elevation work must be performed or supervised by a Professional Land Surveyor licensed by the state board. Ask for the license number and check it on the board's website.
- Records: a good surveyor starts with the deed, the recorded plat and the county records for your parcel. Having your deed or title commitment at hand speeds up the quote.
- Price drivers: lot size and shape, terrain and vegetation, how easy the original monuments are to find, and whether you need corners staked or a recorded plat.
- Flood insurance: if your property is in a FEMA flood zone, ask whether the surveyor also prepares Elevation Certificates.
Useful official resources
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NCEES: state licensing boards
Find your state board to check a surveyor's license.
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FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Check whether your property is in a mapped flood zone.
Services available in Chicago
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Boundary survey
Locates and marks the property lines and corners of a parcel, for a purchase, a fence or a boundary question.
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ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey
Detailed survey to the ALTA/NSPS minimum standards, usually requested by a lender or title company for a commercial property.
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Topographic survey
Maps the ground elevations and existing features of a site, for the design of a building, a driveway or drainage.
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FEMA Elevation Certificate
Records the elevation of a building on the FEMA form, used for flood insurance and floodplain management.
Frequently asked questions in Chicago
How much does a land survey cost in Chicago, IL?
It depends on the type of survey and the parcel: a boundary survey of a small residential lot usually costs much less than an ALTA/NSPS survey of a commercial property. Size, terrain, vegetation and the state of the county records all play a part. The quickest way to know is to describe your lot: surveyors who serve Chicago reply with a quote.
Do I need a licensed surveyor in Illinois?
Yes. In Illinois, boundary surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys and Elevation Certificates must be signed by a Professional Land Surveyor licensed by the state. Ask for the license number before you hire.
How long does a survey take?
Research in the county records, field work and drafting typically take from one to several weeks, depending on the surveyor's schedule and the complexity of the parcel. Tell us your deadline in the form.
Which surveyors will contact me?
Up to three independent land surveyors who serve Chicago and the surrounding area, chosen for the service you need. Your details are shared only with your consent.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2024) and Gazetteer Files (public domain), imported on 10/31/2026. Figures describe the incorporated place or county as published; they are shown for information only.