Sen. Jarvis files bill in North Carolina Senate on land surveyors’ right of entry

A new bill filed by State Sen. Steve Jarvis seeks to clarify and regulate professional land surveyors’ rights to access private lands for property-related surveys, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 756 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Right of Entry for Professional Surveyors.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill modifies the right of entry for professional land surveyors in North Carolina. It allows licensed surveyors to enter the lands of others to perform necessary surveys related to property boundaries, corners, rights-of-way, and easements without being liable for trespass. While surveyors are encouraged to notify landowners before entry, notification is not always mandatory. The bill prohibits surveyors from damaging or altering anything on the land without the owner’s consent and maintains civil liability for any such damages. Surveyors cannot enter properties with critical infrastructure or those associated with railroads. The bill also provides that surveyors cannot claim damages for injuries sustained on another’s land unless caused deliberately by the landowner. This act becomes effective when it becomes law and applies to relevant actions occurring thereafter.

Jarvis proposed another 23 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Jarvis graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Jarvis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 30th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Phil Berger.