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Home » What is a Raw Land Tower site survey or RLS?

Raw Land Tower Site Surveys and Boundary Surveys for Cell Tower Construction

What is a raw land tower site survey?

Also known as: "green field" tower survey, RLS, and "tower surveying", this survey is specific to telecommunications/ cell towers being built on empty land. It is usually coupled with a boundary survey and an FAA 1A or 2C certification, depending on the project. 1A certification is +20 ft horizontally, +3 ft vertically, and 2C certification is +50 ft horizontally, +20 ft vertically.

Why is a boundary survey needed for Telecom/ cell tower construction sites?

A boundary survey establishes and describes the boundaries of your cell tower property. This is usually required to construct a cell tower on raw/ empty land. Boundary surveys generally only apply to property larger than one acre. Boundary surveys include staking and measuring the land to be built upon, thorough legal and historical research regarding the parcel, and a complete analysis and description of the resulting findings.

The Southern California Region

Also known as SoCal, Southern CA, Southern Cali, and So. Ca., Southern California is an informal "megaregion" of California, comprised primarily of Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, and Orange County.

Including two major world cities, some of the most populated counties in the United States, and a population almost equaling the entire state of Texas, Southern California presents unique challenges and opportunities for the telecommunications industry. Most importantly, though, Southern California has a growing demand for wireless telecommunication and is constantly in need of more cell towers.

Major Regions

The following is a list of major regions that the Southern California region is sub-divided into:

Antelope Valley
Coachella Valley
Coastal Southern California
Colorado Desert
Desert Southern California
eastern Kern County
Greater Los Angeles Area
Greater San Bernardino
High Desert
Imperial County
Imperial Valley
Inland Empire
Inland Southern California
Los Angeles Basin
Low Desert
Lower Colorado River Valley
Mojave Desert
Morongo Basin
Orange County
Oxnard Plain
Riverside County
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino Mountains
San Bernardino Valley - Inland Empire
San Diego–Imperial
San Diego County
San Diego metropolitan area
San Luis Obispo County
Santa Barbara County
southern and western Los Angeles County
southern Central Coast
Ventura County

Southern California Typography and Survey Conditions

SoCal is one of the most varied topographical landscapes in the United States. Including deserts, beaches, rivers, hills, mountains, forests, and many other varied ecosystems, conducting land surveys in Southern California is a study in breadth. Even more challenging are the vast metropolitan regions with complicated lots, easement requirements, and safety considerations.