The area itself doesn't require surveys. Principals do. Builders do. Development permitting bureaus do. It depends on what they're going to do with the property, and when.

If it's in a platted subdivision, and there are no known encroachments, it might be fine not to.

However. Things change over time. Waterfront property is subject to accretion and erosion. And at several thousand dollars per linear foot, every inch counts.

Also, if a survey hasn't been done for a long time, we are much more technologically able to be accurate now. A 110 acre parcel hadn't been surveyed in over 100 years was recently found to be only 91 acres.

Still. Having an expensive survey now when you're not going to develop for a while, you'll have to resurvey it then anyway.

So there are times when it is prudent to wait, and times when it is not.

Not a requirement.

Not 'required' in my area but, highly recommended.

Every county is different, generally if we split the property smaller than a 40 we need a survey.

As far as I know, there is no legal requirement anytwhere to have a survey done for a residential sale... but as title insurance companies limit coverage without an update survey, it's highly recommended to do one. Banks stopped requiring them years and years ago.

A survey is not always required but good to have.

Not always required here, but most buyers prefer to have one done. If there is no lender involved, and lots are long established, some buyers won't get a survey done.

All of my experience has been with properties that do not need to be surveyed.

It is not required in NH. I tend to see buyers doing it more in the rural areas with bigger lots.

My experience in Illinois and Florida for residential always required an updated survey!

Sometimes mortgage companies require that the buyer get one. But otherwise, it's not a requirement. 

About 70% of the time clients do not ask for one.

Lenders always require it along with the others that Candice A. Donofrio mentioned.

I don't care when or what land you are buying...it is ALWAYS prudent to get an UNDATED survery.   There are lots of horrow stories from naive buyers and agents. It is amazing how many things can be wrong.

I have a close friend who owned a survey company...she even told me about a new construction townhomes that the buyers attorney told them they did not need a survey for so in error they closed on a unit one block away.

Recently on vacant land after doing a survey and wetlands study,  we were able to amend the contract to a price $10K lower.  The sellers survey was incorrect.

Eve

Not required, but I highly encourage buyers to perform a survey. 

not required here either, but I would NOT buy without a survey.  My daughter just purchased and I made her get a survey... well you know strongly encouraged (read that as I ordered the survey).  It's essential and I encourage all buyers, but not all listen.

Surveys may be needed when financing is involved or there are development plans.

William,

The buyers we worked with always had a full out survey...A

Not a requirement here; buyer preference and certainly a good idea in many instances. 

If there is a mortgage a survey will be required.

Not required, but it's definitely a bonus to have.

Same as yours Bill

A loan survey accompanies all of my sales but not a pin one.

Buyers choice most of the time,  Title insurance & mortgage companies sometimes require a location survey

Lenders tend to be the driving force behind surveys. They want to know what THEY actaully own.

Ditto.... not in a town of under 100 people that is 6 x  6 miles square which is the norm, no. No close neighbors, 40 or 100 acre tracts where the boundary line rock walls, the tree lines separating fields, the waterways dividing properties are blind fold obvious. 

If there is land involved, I always recommend a new survey or ILC.

Not is there is a lot and block.

It would be foolhardy for a buyer not to oder a survey. We would insist on them signing a Hold Harmless if they didn't

I started in this business working in surveying.  I wouldn't buy anything without a current survey. 

I always encourage my buyers to get a survey.  You'll never know what it will reveal.

Surveys are not required on bare land, but advised especially on rural property where the fence location may not actually be on the property line.

It is very rare that a BUYER requires a survey. I do not believe a lender or anyone else involved in a RE transaction has ever required it on a sale I've worked with.

mortgage plot plans are required by all lending institutions for a MA closing... and before you install a fence, you'd be wise to have an instrument survey.... the mortgage plot plan is usually a couple of inches off .... it's not a full instrument survey....

PA is not a survey State either

Surveys are optional in our contracts and are at buyer’s cost (unless negotiated otherwise).

No survey required for land or any other kind of real estate sale in our area. However, it is a huge plus point for vacant land to be surveyed and have the corners marked physically so prospective buyers can "walk" the property. Here in western WA - the brush and blackberries grow quickly so the nicely presented vacant land listings are surveyed with the corners marked and a path to the corners. It definitely helps get the lots sold faster and avoids being asked to go out to the property to try and show about where porperty lines are which is not an advisable activity.

Same as your area.

Not one out here.  I know in parts of England (New Quay) it is though.  Have a friend that bought out there a year or two ago.

Not required.