Shows
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Strata BoundariesWhere does my condo end and the hallway begin?We shine a light on Section 68 of the Strata Property Act.We cover the default rules for strata boundaries—centerline of walls, floors, and ceilings—and how to properly document exceptions to the rule.Key Study Points:Section 68 Default: The "center of the wall" rule for contiguous strata lots.Custom Boundaries: When and how boundaries can be defined by the exterior face of a wall.The Exam Trap: Failing to explicitly state on the plan when a boundary devi...
2026-02-2728 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Witness Posts versus Offset PostsThey look identical in the ground, but legally, they are worlds apart.We illuminate the critical distinction between a Witness Post (which testifies to the location of a specific corner) and an Offset Post (which marks a boundary line, but not a corner).Key Study Points:The Legal Difference: A Witness Post is tied to a specific point; an Offset Post defines a vector/line.Plan Drafting: How to correctly symbolize and annotate both types on a legal plan so they are never confused.The Exam Trap: Using an "...
2026-02-2738 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Witness Posts - Survey and Plan Rule - v1.3What do you do when the true corner is in the middle of a river or inside a concrete pillar?We shed light on the strict rules for "Witness Posts."Learn how to properly monument, mark, and record a W.T. on your plan so future surveyors can find the invisible corner.Key Study Points:When to Witness: The criteria for when a true corner is "inaccessible."Marking Requirements: The specific "W.T." stamping and bearing/distance inscriptions required on the post.The Exam Trap: Placing a...
2026-02-2742 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Strata Parent Parcel RequirementsYou cannot build a strata on a shaky foundation.We illuminate the mandatory requirement to fully re-establish the "Parent Parcel" before any strata plan can be filed.Learn why cutting corners on the external boundary is the fastest way to a disciplinary hearing.Key Study Points:Full Re-establishment: Why the entire perimeter of the land must be surveyed and proven.The Containment Rule: Ensuring the new building is 100% within the proven bounds.The Exam Trap: Assuming a recently surveyed boundary by another firm allows you to skip...
2026-02-2639 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Resetting Posts on Strata PlansWhen a parent parcel monument goes missing on a strata site, how do you put it back?We illuminate the strict rules for resetting posts on strata plans, ensuring the integrity of the external boundary is never compromised by internal building measurements.Key Study Points:The Parent Parcel: Re-establishing the primary boundary before touching the strata units.Resetting Protocols: The SPR requirements for filing a posting plan when replacing monuments.The Exam Trap: Using the "as-built" face of the building to calculate the property corner without verifying the original...
2026-02-2635 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Requirement to Measure LCP v1.0Patios, parking stalls, and yards: shedding light on Limited Common Property (LCP).We break down the absolute requirement to physically measure LCP areas rather than just copying the architect's conceptual drawings.Key Study Points:LCP Definition: Exclusive use vs. ownership.Dimensioning Standards: How to accurately represent LCP boundaries on the strata plan.The Exam Trap: Scaling dimensions off a building plan. If you certify it, you must measure it.Sources & Required Reading:ABCLS IB - Requirement to Measure LCPStrata Property Act
2026-02-2637 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Re-Establishing Boundaries and Survey EvidenceClearing the fog on boundary re-establishment.When old plans don't match the ground, what is the legal path forward?We illuminate the hierarchy of evidence, focusing on how a professional surveyor weights documentary evidence against physical reality.Key Study Points:Evaluating Evidence: How to document and prove that a monument is "undisturbed."The Hierarchy in Practice: Why a bent iron pin might trump a perfect CAD calculation.The Exam Trap: Reverting to mathematical proportioning before fully exhausting the search for original physical evidence.Sources & Required...
2026-02-2634 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Present Natural Boundaries on Posting PlansWater moves, but title lines are stubborn.We illuminate how to handle natural boundaries when you're just trying to file a simple posting plan.Do you have to re-survey the whole shoreline?We cover the critical distinctions between present natural boundaries and registered plan boundaries.Key Study Points:Present vs. Titled: When to show the current water level versus the historical boundary.Statutory Anchor: Section 108 of the Land Title Act (Return to Crown).The Exam Trap: Showing an altered natural boundary on a posting plan...
2026-02-2629 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Non-Statutory Surveys - Part 11 of the SPRNavigating the grey area of "Non-Statutory" plans. We shine a light on Part 11 of the SPR, focusing on Building Location Certificates (BLCs) and topo surveys.Learn how to provide valuable spatial data to clients without accidentally establishing a legal boundary.Key Study Points:Part 11 Compliance: What makes a plan "non-statutory" and what rules still apply.Building Location Certificates: The required ties, disclaimers, and boundary representations.The Exam Trap: Failing to add the mandatory disclaimers, leading to a public reliance liability issue.Sources & Required Reading:
2026-02-2637 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Intersection Requirements for Survey PlansYou can't just draw a line across a map; you have to tie it down.This episode illuminates the strict rules for intersecting existing boundary lines.We explore how to prevent the creation of "gores" (unintentional gaps) and overlaps when surveying new parcels.Key Study Points:The Tie-In Rule: When crossing an existing boundary, what level of search and measurement is required?Gaps and Overlaps: The legal liability of creating a sliver of un-owned or dually-owned land.The Exam Trap: Failing to search for and tie to...
2026-02-2632 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Good Practice for Surveying With RTK GNSSJust because your rover says "Fixed" doesn't mean you're right.We shed light on the ABCLS standards for RTK GNSS, focusing on the critical redundancies required to prove your points and the hidden dangers of multipath in BC's dense forests and urban canyons.Key Study Points:Redundancy: The strict requirement for independent checks (time offsets, different constellation geometry, or conventional ties).Site Calibrations: The dangers of scaling/rotating your GNSS data to fit bad ground control.The Exam Trap: Assuming a low PDOP and a "fixed" status absolves the...
2026-02-2527 min
Storman Norman PresentsIB - Evidence of Occupation, Notes on Plans and Survey LettersJust because your rover says "Fixed" doesn't mean you're right. We shed light on the ABCLS standards for RTK GNSS, focusing on the critical redundancies required to prove your points and the hidden dangers of multipath in BC's dense forests and urban canyons.Key Study Points:Redundancy: The strict requirement for independent checks (time offsets, different constellation geometry, or conventional ties).Site Calibrations: The dangers of scaling/rotating your GNSS data to fit bad ground control.The Exam Trap: Assuming a low PDOP and a "fixed" status absolves the surveyor from...
2026-02-2535 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Preparing Non-Statutory Survey PlansNot every plan is a legal document, but any plan involving boundaries carries liability.In this episode, we explore the boundaries of "Unauthorized Practice" and how to prepare plot plans or topographic surveys without creating public confusion about the status of property lines.We break down Section 1 of the Land Surveyors Act and the mandatory use of disclaimers.Key Study Points:The Legal Fence: Master Section 1 of the Act—what constitutes the "Practice of Land Surveying" in BCMandatory Disclaimers: When and why you must use "Not for Registration" or...
2026-02-2532 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Strata Property Act Sec 244 EncroachmentsThe "Heavy Outline" is the most important line on a strata plan.We dive deep into the containment rule: why a strata lot cannot exist outside its parent parcel and the technical requirements for defining building encroachments.We discuss the surveyor's responsibility in signing the Form U and what happens when a balcony crosses the line.Key Study Points:The Containment Rule: Why every strata lot and common property element must stay within the horizontal and vertical limits of the parent parcel.Form U Endorsement: The surveyor's certification that...
2026-02-2530 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Municipal Tree BylawsSummary: A property boundary is more than a line; it’s an ecosystem with liability attached.We cover the surveyor's role in locating protected trees, the definition of Critical Root Zones (CRZ), and the risks of accurate but "legally deficient" tree locations.Key Study Points:Critical Root Zones (CRZ): How to calculate protection areas and the surveyor's role in measuring offsets to the drip line.Boundary Trees: The shared ownership of trees straddling property lines and the legal risks of unauthorized removal.Standard of Care: The liability consequences if an...
2026-02-2540 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA -Vertical Datumshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZxZzU_iM0IErK0Yq4-UrzoWX5RvAmEnh/view?usp=drive_linkIn this episode of Storman Norman Presents, we break down the complex world of vertical datums in British Columbia.Summary: Height matters, but so does the datum. We analyze the co-existence of CGVD28 and CGVD2013 in BC, the "Two-Parameter" requirement (Geoid + Epoch), and why certain legacy plans still mandate the use of CGVD28.Key Study Points:CGVD28 vs. CGVD2013: Understanding the transition from spirit leveling to GNSS-based geoid models.The Two-Parameter Rule: The mandatory requirement...
2026-02-2534 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Correcting Posting Planshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1Om7CU9m9MPQPPuxYjbYtLGNKbx90Fn9i/view?usp=drive_linkIn this episode, we break down the critical protocols for fixing significant errors on registered posting plans in British Columbia. When an error is discovered on a registered posting plan, "just filing a new one" is not an option. We explore the two paths to correction: the Statutory Declaration for minor fixes and the "Superseded" protocol for complex overhauls.Key Study PointsMinor Errors: Using a Statutory Declaration (Form 17) to amend simple drafting...
2026-02-2535 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Checklist Dateshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/166Vo64vXETmpojEYY90jb5MnkFF9xhye/view?usp=drive_linkIn this episode of Storman Norman Presents, we are tackling the strict chronological requirements for filing statutory plans in BC. Precision in dating is a professional responsibility. This episode clarifies the two critical dates required on every legal plan and why misrepresenting them can lead to a disciplinary inquiry.Key Study PointsDate of Survey: Represents the final day field observations and monumentation were completed.Date of Plan: Represents the day the plan was...
2026-02-2535 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Building Strata Plans Containing Both New and Conversion Unitshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1mPbyXFehm-6llDV0Ddogm3WscHyEtfqJ/view?usp=sharingIn this episode of Storman Norman Presents, we dive into the complexities of building strata plans that blend new construction with previously occupied conversion units.Mixing new construction with previously occupied buildings on a single strata plan creates unique legal hurdles. We break down the certification requirements for "Mixed" strata developments and the distinct roles of the land surveyor and the approving authority.Key Study PointsForm S (The Surveyor's Certificate): Mandatory for "new" buildings that have never...
2026-02-2530 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Discontinuance and Closure of Highwayshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1vEWOGw_wV-YM19wpIhqgP4DMf7ddOFS4/view?usp=drive_linkClosing a road changes the very fabric of land ownership. We discuss the process of road closure, the vesting of title in the Crown, and the surveyor's role in creating the new "Closed Road" parcels.Key Study PointsVesting of Title: Under the Land Act, highways are typically vested in the Crown.Closure Authorities: Distinguishing between road closures under the Community Charter (municipal) vs. the Land Act (rural/Crown).The Closed Road Parcel: Technical...
2026-02-2542 min
Storman Norman PresentsPA - Assessment and Interpretation of Survey Evidencehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1VG8Gk34YwGLUVjdky7GO-16z4Wtakhw4/view?usp=sharingIn this episode, we tackle the "judicial function" of the surveyor. When measurements and monuments conflict, which one wins? We explore the legal framework for re-establishing boundaries, moving beyond the math to analyze the footsteps of the original surveyor and the weight of physical evidence.Key Study PointsThe Hierarchy of Evidence: Learn the order of priority: 1. Natural boundaries, 2. Original monuments, 3. Evidence of possession/occupation, 4. Measurements (bearings and distances).The "Footsteps" Principle: Re-establishing a boundary is...
2026-02-2530 min
Storman Norman PresentsBC Land Title ActIn 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 e...
2026-02-2532 min
Storman Norman PresentsBC Strata Property ActIn this episode of Storman Norman Presents, we break down the legislative engine behind one of the most common development types in British Columbia: the Strata Property Act.We focus on the surveyor’s pivotal role in defining the horizontal and vertical limits of ownership, the technical nuances of phased developments, and the high stakes of certifying previously occupied buildings.Delineation of Boundaries (Section 244):The strata plan must show a "heavy outline" for the perimeter of the land and must clearly distinguish between strata lots and common property.Exam Note: Nothing ou...
2026-02-2036 min
Storman Norman PresentsBC Land Surveyors ActIn this episode of Storman Norman Presents, we break down the legislation that defines and regulates our profession: the Land Surveyors Act.We explore the legal "fence" around the practice of land surveying, the governance structure of the ABCLS, and the high-stakes disciplinary process that ensures public protection.Understanding this Act is the foundation of professional responsibility for every LST and commissioned surveyor in BC.Definition of Practice (Section 1):The Scope: The "practice of land surveying" includes the measurement of land or airspace to determine, define, or re-establish boundaries, and any...
2026-02-2030 min
Storman Norman PresentsBC Land ActIn this episode of Storman Norman Presents, we explore the statutory framework for the administration and disposition of Crown land in British Columbia: the Land Act. This legislation is the primary authority for how the province manages its vast land resources.We dive into the specific powers of the Surveyor General regarding Crown land surveys, the legal definition of natural boundaries, and the critical processes for confirming and correcting the cadastral record on behalf of the Crown.Natural Boundaries (Section 18):Statutory Definition: The Act defines the "natural boundary" as the visible...
2026-02-2035 min
Storman Norman PresentsOn the Edge of a New Dominion: Confederation and Its Discontents (1860–1867)In Episode 5 (1860–1867), we examine how political deadlock, economic upheaval, and strategic uncertainty pushed British North America toward Confederation.The Crisis: We explore the internal deadlock in the Province of Canada and the external pressures from the American Civil War and British military withdrawal.The Conferences: From Charlottetown to Quebec and London, we track how a federal union gained traction over other options like a Maritime Union.The Deal: We analyze the BNA Act (1867)—who joined (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick), who stayed out (PEI, Newfoundland), and the balance of federal powers.Th...
2026-01-1636 min
Storman Norman PresentsFurs, Frontiers, and Rebellions: The Making of British North America (1815–1860)In Episode 4 (1815–1860), we explore the violent "Fur Trade Wars" and the political rebellions that forced the colonies toward democracy.War in the West: We recount the deadly rivalry between the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company, culminating in the Pemmican War and the Battle of Seven Oaks.The Métis Nation: The rise of a distinct "New Nation" in the Red River, asserting their rights and identity.Rebellions of 1837-38: Frustration with the "Family Compact" and "Château Clique" boils over into armed revolt in Upper and Lower Canada.Resp...
2026-01-1543 min
Storman Norman PresentsRevolutions and Redrawing the Map: From Conquest to the War of 1812 c.1763–1815In Episode 3 (1763–1815), we explore how revolutions and wars reshaped the political map.Revolutions: We discuss the Royal Proclamation (1763) and the Quebec Act (1774), and investigate why Quebec and Nova Scotia did not join the American Revolution.The Loyalists: Who were the United Empire Loyalists? We trace how their arrival created Upper and Lower Canada via the Constitutional Act of 1791.War of 1812: From Detroit to Queenston Heights, we analyze the war from a borderlands perspective, emphasizing the decisive role of leaders like Brock and Tecumseh.The Aftermath: The solidification of a distinct British No...
2026-01-1425 min
Storman Norman PresentsFirst Contacts: Fish, Furs, Faith, and the Columbian Exchange (c. 1497-1763)In Episode 2 (c. 1490s–1763), we trace how early European encounters evolved into permanent colonies and reshaped the continent.First Contacts: We look beyond Columbus to the Norse at L'Anse aux Meadows and the seasonal Basque whalers.New France & Acadia: The founding of Quebec, the role of the Catholic Church, and the unique history of the Acadians and their Mi'kmaq neighbours.The Exchange: We examine the economic engine of the fur trade (coureurs de bois) and the devastating "Columbian Exchange" of pathogens that decimated Indigenous populations.Imperial Wars: The narrative concludes with th...
2026-01-1340 min
Storman Norman PresentsBefore Canada: Indigenous Worlds Since Time ImmemorialIn Episode 1, we explore the deep histories of the northern half of North America long before the name "Canada" existed.Origin Stories: We contrast scholarly theories of migration (like the Bering Land Bridge) with Indigenous origin narratives rooted in the land.Diverse Worlds: We survey complex regional societies, from the salmon-based potlatch systems of the Pacific Northwest and the bison-hunting peoples of the Plains to the agricultural Haudenosaunee League and the sophisticated adaptations of the Inuit.A Populous Continent: We examine trade networks and diplomacy to show that Europeans arrived in a fully...
2026-01-1237 min
Storman Norman PresentsCanada: Time Immemorial to ConfederationWelcome to Storman Norman Presents—where curiosity meets cutting-edge tech. We explore personal interests, timely topics, and fascinating deep dives.🌟 DEBUT SERIES: From Time Immemorial to Confederation (Jan 12) A 5-part special uncovering the gritty, 14,000-year reality of how Canada was forged—from Indigenous worlds and fur trade wars to the political deadlock of 1867.🗺️ VISUAL COMPANION:History happens on a map. Download the custom infographics and artwork for this episode to follow along with the story:Download Visual Guide 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ldmxGhjW7CDmimOtkVwuOdFuK58j5Bw/view?usp=sharingDownloa...
2026-01-0901 min