In this episode of Storman Norman Presents, we break down the bedrock of land ownership and registration in British Columbia: the Land Title Act (LTA).
This massive statute governs how land is described, subdivided, and transferred.
We focus specifically on the sections that empower land surveyors, from the technical requirements of statutory plans to the complexities of Air Space Titles and the critical role of the Surveyor General.
Part 7 – Descriptions and Plans (Sections 58–120):
The Registrar's Power: The Registrar has the authority to require a new survey or a "Reference Plan" if an existing description of land is deemed insufficient for registration.
Explanatory Plans (Section 70): These are only acceptable to the Surveyor General under specific conditions, such as when a full survey isn't practical or the boundaries are already sufficiently defined.
Statutory Right of Way (Section 113): Detail the unique requirements for these plans, which are used for utilities and public works and have specific status under the Act.
Part 9 – Air Space Titles (Sections 138–143):
Three-Dimensional Containment: Air space parcels must be defined by planes or surfaces and be completely contained within the parent parcel.
Mandatory Vertical Datum: All Air Space Plans must show the "Geodetic Elevation" of every corner and boundary, referenced to the official vertical datum (CGVD28).
Part 24 – Surveys and Plans (Sections 385–393):
Statutory Obligations: This part outlines the technical standards for plan preparation and the electronic filing rules that every BCLS must follow.
Surveyor General & Registrar Roles:
Be prepared for exam questions regarding where the Surveyor General’s approval is required (e.g., Block Outline postings under Section 69 or Explanatory Plans under Section 70) versus the Registrar’s discretion in accepting documents for the register.
Infographic:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jB8sg9ch88v-on4XFgxsvqiqexPvgkEl/view?usp=drive_link
Source:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7c8POkUB6V1R8pEaOqN3s9u9CGZWBZk/view?usp=drive_link
