Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? Chances are it has already been answered below.

• About provincial Crown land
• About CLR records and related surveys
• About CLR information systems

If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please contact us at Registries Web Site.

About British Columbia Crown Land and Locations

[Top]

1. What is the extent of provincial Crown land holdings in British Columbia, in total area and as a percentage of all provincial land?
   British Columbia is Canada's third largest province, covering an area of approximately 94.8 million hectares. Over 92 percent of the province is Crown provincial land. Of the remainder, seven percent is privately owned, and about one percent is federal land.

2. How do I acquire Crown land?
   British Columbia no longer provides land for homesteading. Crown land is available for sale or lease at fair market value for specific purposes. Where land is readily available through the real estate market, it will not be supplied from the Crown land base, which is already needed for many competing uses. Some Crown land, mostly located in or near urban areas, is actively marketed by the Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (LWBC).
   LWBC is authorized to develop, market and sell Crown land for specific purposes. They publish a listing of the properties approved for sale.
   Inquiries for Crown land other than listed properties should be referred to the appropriate LWBC office. An inquiry may form the basis for an application. Priorities are given to applications according to the following criteria:
   - Availability of alternative (privately owned) land;
   - Public health and safety;
   - Environmental health and safety;
   - Socio-economic significance;
   - Legal obligations and other provincial commitments.
   The Land and Water British Columbia Inc. allocates Crown land to individuals and groups, commercial enterprises and industry with a goal of generating the greatest benefits for all British Columbians. All allocation of Crown land is guided by three basic principles:
   - Highest and Best Use - allocation of land to a compatible and suitable use through a process involving inter-agency referrals and studies of social and economic needs.
   - Limited Supply - management of the many and varied uses of Crown land with the awareness that suitable and available land is in limited supply.
   - Equity and Fairness - ensuring equal and fair treatment of all applicants through the consistent use of policy and by the use of fair market value for Crown land pricing.
   
   
3. How can I find information about a place name in British Columbia?
   Our sister branch, Base Mapping & Geomatic Services Branch, maintains a searchable database of geographic names. Please visit BC Geographical Names Information System.
   
   
4. Why did you name this system Tantalis?
   Tantalis (Tanta-LIS) is a computerized land information system designed to fulfill a tantalizing vision: desktop access to an integrated database containing all records—both spatial and textual—needed for the business of provincial land administration. The name also implies a vision too tempting to be attainable. Tantalus was a mythological deity condemned for his inability to resist the temptation of his senses. For his presumption he was chained, unfed, for all eternity before a banquet of delights, dangling just out of reach. At Crown Land Registry we thought it was time the taboo was broken. Back in 1996/97 we set a goal to attain the Tanta-LIS vision--in time for the new millennium.

   Anyone with experience in land administration will identify with the torment of Tantalus. The picture of moving one's eye from a land parcel on a map to a survey plan of the same area, to a further subdivision plan, to a table of textual attributes, and then to the original grant deeding the land—all in a few moments, all formatted for the PC—is too attractive to abandon. For anyone whose work entails tracking down such documents through century-old registers and indexes, it makes too much sense. Harnessing the technology and organizing the information, however, is not easy!

   Now, six years after committing to the vision, we have tasted the fruit. We know the prize is attainable. The dream has a solid foundation.

1. Does CLR keep tax information?
   No. You need to contact the Surveyor of Taxes at the Real Property Taxation Branch, 2nd Floor, 1061 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 3K5. Tel: (250) 387-0532 or (250) 387-0555.
   
   
2. How can I learn about a Crown grant that was issued many years ago to my great, great grandparents?
   The Crown grant number provides the best information. This is a two part number which we can trace to our official records. We can also trace a legal description back to the original grant and make a copy for you.
   Other information such as the date of a grant, the statute under which it was issued, the specific rights conveyed, or the location could be useful if you lack the grant number and legal description. In this case, try to gather as much information as you can. The name of the grantee would help us find the original record only if combined with other information.
   
   
3. How can I hire a surveyor?
   For your local area, check the yellow pages of your local phone book under "Surveyors, Land." For other areas, your local library or telephone office will have out of town phone books, or you may also contact the Corporation of Land Surveyors of the Province of British Columbia, 895 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1H7. Telephone: (250) 382-4323.
   
   
4. How can I find out if the person I hired is a bona fide British Columbia Land Surveyor?
   Land surveyors are issued annual practice cards indicating authorization to practice in a given year. If your surveyor does not have such a card, you may contact the Corporation of Land Surveyors of the Province of British Columbia. They have a list of members authorized to practice in the Province of British Columbia.
   
   
5. How do I obtain a building location certificate or certificate of non-encroachment (or site survey) for my house or property?
   You may be asked to provide a building location certificate or certificate of non-encroachment when applying for a mortgage. These documents are not filed in any government repository. You may need to contact the previous owner of your property and/or the financial institution holding the previous mortgage. Either may have such a document, but it may not be available without the permission of the surveyor who prepared the original document since it will be covered by copyright. You may, therefore, need to hire a surveyor to have this type of survey performed or updated.

6. What are the oldest survey records available at CLR?
   The oldest survey records located at CLR are the Hudson's Bay Company grants. From 1851 to 1858 surveys were ordered in the Victoria District by the Hudson's Bay Company, which was granted title to all of Vancouver Island by royal letters patent of Queen Victoria on January 13, 1849. All relevant survey information for these parcels is noted on each grant, with attached plan showing information such as survey bearings, location of posts, stone mounds, pottery, and bearing trees. The original Hudson's Bay Company grants book is located in the CLR Crown grant vault. The Royal Engineers subsequently surveyed portions of the Victoria townsite in 1858. Their field books are located in the CLR plans vault.

7. Does CLR keep survey records for Indian Reserves in British Columbia?
   Yes, some Indian Reserve survey records are available in the CLR plans vault.

8. Why are there no field books for some surveyed parcels?
   Prior to March 7, 1968, Crown land survey information was recorded in a survey field book, with a survey plan attached to this book. After that date the format for recording this information was made similar to the subdivision survey plans registered at the land title offices. Field books were no longer required unless specifically asked for.
   
   
9. How do I find survey field books for a lot with a description like Lot 1, Plan 23456?
   From the legal description we know this survey was conducted under the Land Title Act. All relevant survey information appears on the plan, and no survey field book was required. All relevant survey information with regard to a lot with this description is shown on registered subdivision plan 23456. Copies of this plan are available at the appropriate land title office.
   
   
10. What are white triangular posts for? Do they mark my lot corners?
    No. The survey posts that mark property boundaries are usually square galvanized iron posts at least 1.2 cm across any face, and at least 75 centimetres long, and protruding above ground level no more than 5 centimetres. Another type of survey post is a round bronze cap 7.5 cm in diameter set on a steel reinforcing bar, on top of a concrete post, or set in a hole drilled in rock. The white triangular wooden post is a reference post set near the survey post to make it easier to find, and to protect it. Since survey monuments are set to mark boundary positions, they must remain undisturbed to be useful. Survey monuments are protected under sections 442 and 443 of the Criminal Code of Canada. If they are damaged, moved or destroyed, restoration or replacement for the land owner can be expensive. A British Columbia Land Surveyor is the only person with the authority to set or replace a survey monument. Survey monuments are sometimes referenced by bearing trees, stone mounds, cairns, earth mounds, pits, or metal or wooden posts. These must be protected also.
    
    
11. How do I subdivide my land?
    You will need to hire a commissioned land surveyor, a member of the British Columbia Corporation of Land Surveyors (BCLS). BCLS members are listed at the BCLS website [http://www.bclandsurveyors.bc.ca/], or in the Yellow Pages under "Surveyors-Land." You may want to go to the engineering department of your municipality or regional district to check on any restrictions or requirements on the development of your land, or ask your surveyor to do this on your behalf.
    
    
12. Where can I get a plan of my lot?
    If you want a copy of the subdivision plan that created your lot, showing lot boundaries and dimensions but no improvements such as buildings, take the plan number from your lot description to the land title office (listed in the Blue Pages under Government of British Columbia: Land Title Office). For a fee, land title office staff will copy the plan for you. Under "Title Service" in the Yellow Pages is a list of firms that will, for a larger fee, get the survey plan or a copy of the certificate of title for you. If your lot is an entire district lot and has not been subdivided, then you can obtain a copy of the original district lot survey from CLR.

1. Can I get Internet access to the information on Crown land in Tantalis?
   GATOR (Government Access Tool for On-line Retrieval) is specifically designed to provide access to Tantalis (the CLR database). At first, GATOR will be able to retrieve a wide variety of textual information. Later this year we will provide access to Atlas images and CDMS mapping products through GATOR. Next year GATOR will give access to private parcel and forest tenure information. Contact us to open a GATOR account. You can reach us through our Contact Us page.
   

2. How do I find what information products are available over the Internet?
   Internet access to the Tantalis database will be available for the first time in April, 2000. The software and the database are still being prepared for this event.
   At first, we will provide Internet access to a wide variety of textual information. Later this year we will expand this access to include Atlas images and CDMS mapping products. Next year Internet access to private parcel and forest tenure information will be available. Check our What's New? page. We will post all new developments there.
   

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