Santa Clara County (Calif.). County Surveyor's Office

Administrative History

The office of County surveyor has existed since the nineteenth century. In the late nineteenth century, the Surveyor surveyed roads, established grades, and oversaw the construction of bridges and other public structures. Previously an elected official, the Surveyor now is part of the Office of Planning. The Surveyor's mission is to "help to ensure professional surveying and mapping services" in the county. For much of the office's history the Surveyor was permitted to maintain a private surveying business as well as hold the County post.