Urban Legal Cadastre Standard

No. – 03/2015

January/ 2015
Addis Ababa
 Contents
ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................................................... iii
Forward ........................................................................................................................................................ iv
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1
2. DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Objective ............................................................................................................................................... 5
4. Scope ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter One .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Cadastral Surveying Standard ....................................................................................................................... 6
5. Cadastral Survey Control Point and Their Establishment..................................................................... 6
5.1 New Control Station Establishment .............................................................................................. 6
5.2 Supplemental Cadastral Survey control point Establishment ....................................................... 7
5.3 Supplemental cadastral control point shall be established as follows:- ........................................ 7
5.4 Monument Establishment ............................................................................................................. 8
Monuments shall be established with in a cadastral boundary of stable ground. Examples of semi-
permanent monument are: concrete nails, iron pipes, etc. ........................................................................ 8
5.5 Physical protection of Monuments ............................................................................................... 8
5.6 cadastral control point information ............................................................................................... 8
The established cadastral control point monograph shall contain the following information, (the sample
monograph is attached on Annex 1) ......................................................................................................... 8
5.7 Accuracy, Tolerances and Misclosure .......................................................................................... 9
5.8 Units of Measurements ............................................................................................................... 10
5.9 Surveying Equipment and Their Calibration .............................................................................. 10
5.9.1 Surveying Measurements ........................................................................................................ 10
6. Cadastral Boundary Demarcation ....................................................................................................... 11
6.1 Boundary Marking with Pegs ..................................................................................................... 11
6.2 Boundary Marking Using Color ................................................................................................. 12
7. Cadastral Survey Field Notes.............................................................................................................. 12
7.1 Survey Report ............................................................................................................................. 13
7.2 Cadastral Survey Records on Parcel of the Land ........................................................................ 13
7.2.1 Information about the adjoining parcel: .................................................................................. 13
8. Material Required for Cadastral surveying ......................................................................................... 14

i
9. Cadastral Surveyor .............................................................................................................................. 14
Chapter Two................................................................................................................................................ 15
Cadastral Data Standard .............................................................................................................................. 15
10. Cadastre Base Map Preparation ...................................................................................................... 15
10.1 Data Sources ................................................................................................................................... 15
10.1.1 Spatial Data source ..................................................................................................................... 15
10.1.2 Non-Spatial Data source ............................................................................................................. 15
10.1.3 Other Data Sources .................................................................................................................... 15
10.2 Feature Extraction ........................................................................................................................... 15
11. Datum and Map Projection System ................................................................................................ 16
11.1 Projection Parameters ..................................................................................................................... 16
11.2 Coordinate Transformation Parameters and Coordinate System .................................................... 16
11.3 Translational transformation parameters are:- ................................................................................ 17
11.4 Scale and Accuracy of Cadastral Base Map ................................................................................... 17
11.4.1 Scale ............................................................................................................................................ 17
11.4.2 Accuracy ..................................................................................................................................... 17
12. Cadastre Maps and Non Spatial Data Content ................................................................................ 17
12.1 Cadastre Base Map Content ............................................................................................................ 17
12.2 Cadastre Index Map content ........................................................................................................... 18
12.3 Cadastral Map Content.................................................................................................................... 18
12.4 Non-Spatial Data ............................................................................................................................. 19
Chapter Three.............................................................................................................................................. 20
Unique Parcel identification code Standard ................................................................................................ 20
13. Basic Principles ............................................................................................................................... 20
13.1 Assigning Parcel Identification Code ............................................................................................. 20
13.2 Region Code.................................................................................................................................... 21
13.3 City/Town code ............................................................................................................................... 21
13.4 Condominium/Apartment code ....................................................................................................... 22
13.5 Control of New Parcel Numbers ..................................................................................................... 22
13.5.1 Splitting a parcel ......................................................................................................................... 22
13.5.2 Merging adjacent parcels ............................................................................................................ 22
Chapter Four ............................................................................................................................................... 23
Spatial Data Exchange & Cartographic Standard ....................................................................................... 23
14. Spatial Data Exchange Standard ..................................................................................................... 23
14.1 Standards for vector data format:- .................................................................................................. 23
14.2 Standards for raster data format ...................................................................................................... 23
15. Cartographic Standard..................................................................................................................... 23
15.1 Marginal Information ...................................................................................................................... 24
15.2 Border Information ......................................................................................................................... 24
15.3 Additional Information ................................................................................................................... 24
16. EffCtive Date .................................................................................................................................. 24

ABBREVIATIONS

EDM Electronic distance measurement

EMA Ethiopian Mapping Agency
GPS Global Positioning System
ISO International Standards Organization
RMSE Root mean square error
UPIC Unique Parcel Identification Code
UTM Universal Transverse Mercator
Forward

The cadastre Information is a base for legal cadastre system and requires to have standard at industry
level. Following the formulation of Urban Cadastral Survey Directives, the MUDHCo has organized
technical team working on urban legal cadastre standard. The team was composed of mapping experts
from EMA, INSA, FULLPRIA and Regional States’ Urban Land Development experts. This standard
development has passed through different time series consultation and iterative discussion to reach to the
final structure.
1. INTRODUCTION
According to the proclamation of Registration of Urban Land Holding No. 818/2014 Article and
Council of Ministers Regulation to Provide for Urban Cadastral Surveying No. 323/2014 Article 34,
this Urban Legal Cadastre Standard No. 3 has issued by Ministry of Urban Development, Housing &
Construction.

Cadastre is normally a parcel based, and up-to-date land information system containing a record of
interests in land (e.g. rights, restrictions and responsibilities). It usually includes a geometric
description of land parcels linked to other records describing the nature of the interests, the ownership
or control of those interests, and often the value of the parcel and its improvements. Cadastral
mapping, on the other hand, involves the preparation of a map showing the boundaries of the
subdivisions of land for purposes of describing and recording ownership of the property. Basically
there are two techniques for preparing the map: aerial photography and ground surveying. Data
obtained from these techniques pass through various stages for preparing the final cadastral map.
These include feature extraction, attributation, maintaining topological integrity, cartographic
processing, etc.

There are three types of cadastres: Legal, fiscal, and multipurpose. Legal cadastre is a register
identifying the legal owner and precise boundaries of each land parcel. Fiscal cadastre, on the other
hand, is a record of information necessary for levying property taxes, which includes location and
value of parcel. Frequently, the occupant of the parcel is identified for tax purpose, and no effort is
made to determine the legal owner. Multipurpose cadastre is a relatively new development that
incorporates, at one source, the data concerning the legal and fiscal cadastre along with information
on land use, infrastructure, buildings, soil and other environmental factors. Due to the fact that legal
cadastre is the back bone of every type of cadastre; this standard deals only with legal cadastre for
urban areas.

Urban land provision has been recognized as one major component that will go a long way in
promoting urban socio-economic growth in the country. Other pillars as spelt out in the current Urban
Development process include expansion of micro-business enterprises, housing development,
provision of lands and development infrastructure, development of social services, and setting urban
classification, urban planning and environmental protection. The lands component incorporates some
principles, including real property registration, provision of title deeds and enhancing real property
transactions. The absence of a proper real estate registration system, aggravated by problems such as

1 / 34
absence of good governance, proliferation of illegal (informal) settlements, poor urban management,
outdated and/or rigid development plans, urban decay, and legal and institutional capacity problems.
The Ministry of Urban Development and Construction with stakeholders is undertaking nation-wide
remedial strategy aimed at improving the urban land management. Establishment and implementation
of cadastre system and its supportive legislations is one of the strategy planned to tackle these
problems. Thus, this standard provides a general guidance with minimum requirements on cadastral
surveying, mapping, and system development. It is believed to be a basic tool which will help to
establish Legal Cadastre that guide and serve effective and efficient land management in the nation.

This document is organized in four chapters. Chapter one discusses on cadastral ground surveying
standards giving more emphasis on cadastral survey control point establishment, surveying
instruments and their calibration and survey field note books. Chapter two deals with cadastral data
standard focusing on cadastral base map preparation, data source and the content of non spatial data
and the third chapter standardize unique parcel identification coding system. Finally, the fourth
chapter emphasizes on spatial data exchange and cartographic standards.
2. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1 Accuracy: It characterizes the divergence between measured and theoretical values of the data.
2.2 Aerial photograph: a photograph of the earth’s surface taken with a camera mounted in an
airplane or balloon. It is used in mapping to provide geographical information for base maps.
2.3 Boundary mark: means a survey mark which demarcates a parcel of land.
2.4 Block: Drawn up in line with roads and line features according to the standard prepared for block
partition and containing one or more holdings within the lower administrative unit of an urban
center.
2.5 Cadastre index map: maps of block partitions prepared for landholding adjudication to be
conducted in an urban center or maps of a landholding adjudication neighborhood with serial
name and number according to the map naming standard.
2.6 Cadastre base map: a map prepared using land surveying or air photograph which shows
administrative boundary, fence, road, building or house foot print, river, lake, land features,
distribution of permanent survey points and similar objects.
2.7 Cadastral map: is a map showing the position and boundaries of parcels for purposes of
describing and recording ownership of the property.
2.8 Cadastral survey control points: means a survey mark established by land boundary surveyor
for future use and reference. It serves to provide primary evidence for boundary definition when
other more vulnerable stations have been disturbed or destroyed.
2.9 Cadastral survey: means a method of measuring landholding boundary on the field using land
surveying instrument or through photogrammetric means.
2.10 Calibration: means the process of comparing the accuracy of an instrument’s measurements to
a known standard.
2.11 Cartography:is the design, compilation, drafting and reproduction of maps.
2.12 Closed traverse: means a traverse that starts and ends at the same known point or at station
whose positions have been determined by other surveys.
2.13 Control surveying: means a survey which provides positions (horizontal and/ or vertical) of
points to which supplementary surveys are carried out and adjusted.
2.14 Coordinate system: a reference system consisting of a set of points, lines, and/or surfaces, and
a set of rules, used to define the positions of points in space in either two or three dimensions.
2.15 Datum transformation: means converting the coordinates of a map from one system to
another; typically by shifting, scaling, skewing, or projecting them.
2.16 Datum: a defined reference for survey measurements.
2.17 Digital orthophoto: is a geo–referenced image prepared from a perspective photograph, or
other remotely-sensed data in which the displacement within the image due to sensor
orientation and terrain relief has been removed. Orthophotos combine the characteristics of
photography with the geometric qualities of a map.
2.18 Easement: is a right to use another person's parcel for a specific purpose. The most common
type of easement is the right to pass over another person's land (in the event of the owner of a
parcel can reach the public road easier by crossing the parcel of his neighbor rather than
crossing his own parcel).
2.19 Feature extraction: converting the shapes of geographical features from media such as paper
maps or raster into vector x, y coordinate.
2.20 Geodetic control: means a system of horizontal and /or vertical control points that has been
established and adjusted by geodetic method and in which the shape and size of the Earth
(Geoid) have been considered in position computations.
2.21 Geodetic datum: means a datum designed to best fit all or part of the geoid; defined by the
origin of an initial point (its latitude, longitude and its elevation); the orientation of the network
(the azimuth of a line from the origin); and two constants that define the reference spheroid.
2.22 Geodetic survey station: means a trigonometic station, a traverse station or a GPS control
station emplaced and mathematically fixed under the Ethiopian Mapping Agency.
2.23 Ground surveying: The measurement of dimensional relationships, as of horizontal distances,
elevations, directions, and angles, on the earth's surface.
2.24 Legal cadastre: an updated landholding information system containing a record of the rights,
restrictions and responsibilities on a defined legal boundary for each landholdings demarcated
as parcel on map.
2.25 Map projection: means a mathematical model that transform features on the Earth’s surface in
3D in to 2D surface.
2.26 Monument: means any object that indicate the position of a survey station on the ground.
2.27 Non-Spatial Data: information about a geographic feature in a Geographic Information
System (GIS), generally stored in a table and linked to the feature by a unique identifier.
2.28 Parcel: an area of land, its boundary extent is clearly defined and demarcated on the ground
and drawn upon a map with rights having a unique parcel identification code.
2.29 Parcel boundary: means a line defining the territorial limits of a parcel of land.
2.30 Photogrammetry: The science or art of obtaining reliable measurements by means of
photographs.
 2.31 Scale: the ratio or relationship between a distance or area on a map and corresponding distance
or area on the ground.
2.32 Survey Plan: is a plan that indicate the location of the parcels together with dimension in
relation to roads and other prominent features
2.33 Survey station: means a survey mark over which survey observations are made in connection
with land boundary survey submitted to the land registration office.
2.34 Traverse: means a series of lines between survey stations established by angular and linear
measurements starting from and closing on to geodetic survey station or control stations
established by using geodetic survey instruments.
2.35 Unique Parcel identification Code: is a unique code or number by which a parcel located in
an urban centre is uniquely identified.

3. Objective
The major objective of this standard is to Create a data standard for cadastral surveying and
mapping used to establish legal cadastre. Specifically, the standard has been created to meet the
following objectives:
1) Provide a way to express standards and practices that eliminate discrepancies and inconsistencies
in the accuracy, quality, scale, projection system, storage and overall content of the cadastral
surveying and mapping datasets.
2) Formulate an integrated and compatible standards and procedures for the components of a Legal
cadastre and related records that guide federal and regional towns.

4. Scope
The scope of this standard includes issues of cadastral surveying for boundary marking and cadastral
mapping. These incorporate components such as data source, data quality, accuracy, data
presentation/visualization, storage, transfer, and setting up unique parcel identification code.

This standard shall be applicable in the federal and regional city/town, regional government, and
federal government agencies involved on land registration and others.
 Chapter One
Cadastral Surveying Standard

5. Cadastral Survey Control Point and Their Establishment

All cadastral survey control points and cadastral measurements shall conform to the following:

5.1 New Control Station Establishment

Every new control station to be established shall be referenced to three or more second order national
reference systems in a local datum or geodetic points situated within 15 km from the new stations.
1) Every new control station shall be free from GPS error causing physical factors like from
significantly reflective surfaces, radio and electromagnetic radiation transmission sources and
some other factors that can cover the GPS horizon.
2) Every new GPS station shall be fixed by at least three independent base lines obtained from not
less than two observation sessions.
3) While establishing new control points all GPS base lines used for computing solutions shall be
independent base lines.
4) All control stations in the cadastral measurements shall have one or more independent foresight
stations at a distance not greater than 300 meter.
5) There shall be a minimum of one control station in 1 km x 1 km area of the cadastral project for
flat terrain. For rugged, however, the number of control station could be higher. This implies in
order to increase the accuracy of the projection.
6) All control network stations shall be marked by tablets of some non-corrodible metal set firmly in
posts of concrete.
7) All permanent control station shall be allocated with an identification code and this code should
be alphanumeric. This code shall be stamped on the top of the mark.
8) The surveyor shall prepare a location of established permanent control point sketch showing the
mark position in relation to adjacent features.
9) The size of the permanent control point marking shall be:-
a) The second order control point marking is 300mm*300mm at the top and 400mm*400mm at
the bottom and the total length is 700mm of which 200mm above the ground surface.
b) The tertiary control point marking is 200mm*200mm at the top and 300mm*300mm at the
bottom and the total length is 500mm of which 150mm above the ground surface.
 Control stations established by GPS shall comply with the accuracy standard and quality
requirements stipulated in section 1.2.

5.2 Supplemental Cadastral Survey control point Establishment

Supplemental cadastral survey control point refers to semi-permanent, horizontal and vertical
control points to provide horizontal and vertical control for cadastral mapping, land surveying
and right of way projects. Supplemental cadastral control surveys are undertaken for densification
of the control points situated by EMA for cadastral uses in urban areas of the country. The
standards and specifications for establishing these points are lower than those for primary or
secondary control. Supplemental control points are generally temporary points (post concrete,
spikes, or chisel marks) set by GPS, traverse or level lines. These surveys are initiated and closed
on third order control points for proper ties to horizontal and vertical datum. The control points
shall be used for both horizontal and vertical control. Supplemental cadastral survey control point
isbased on the national geodetic reference adopted by EMA in order to establish sufficient control
station.

5.3 Supplemental cadastral control point shall be established as follows:-

1) A minimum of three local surveying stations shall be established for each adjudication section.
2) No more than 300 meter apart shall be required.
3) However, if longer spacing is used, a pair stations shall be established for the sake of inter-
visibility.
4) A minimum spacing for supplementary control points is 50 meter using total station (100 meter
when using GPS).
5) The supplementary cadastral control point shall be clear of traffic and accessible, and also
preferably within a public right of way or easement. Preferably, locate monuments so they are
indivisible with at least two other monuments.
6) The supplementary cadastral control point shall be visible with various markings such as:
reinforcement concrete with 1:2:3 ratios, which has 10mm of bar 150mm*150mm from the top
and 250mm*250mm at the bottom total length 400mm of which 100mm above the ground.
7) The supplemental cadastral control point shall be painted only with plastic in white, red and
yellow color.
8) When the supplemental cadastral control point lies on the hard rock/bridge the control station
shall be painted with white color and drilled in 10 mm diameter and not less than 30 mm depth.
9) The supplemental cadastral control point shall be written with unique identification numbers.
5.4 Monument Establishment
Monuments shall be established with in a cadastral boundary of stable ground. Examples of semi-
permanent monument are: concrete nails, iron pipes, etc.

5.5 Physical protection of Monuments

As per the legal cadastral standard the size of second order permanent control point marking shall be
300mm X 300mm at the top and 400mm X 400mm at the bottom and the total length is 700mm of
which 200mm above the ground surface. Therefore, a geodetic survey control station (monument)
must be physically protected from any damage or removal and its physical security can be realized in
surrounding the monument by triangular geometric protection at a radius of 60 cm from the center of
the monument. The height above and below the surface ground of the physical security of a
monument must be 30 cm and 40 cm respectively in a triangular shape not to create observation
obstacle for instrument measurement. (The protection has to be build in accordance Annex 4)
The surface ground which is with in the physical protection must be linier concrete and covered by
'terazo' (Ceramic material).

5.6 cadastral control point information

The established cadastral control point monograph shall contain the following information, (the
sample monograph is attached on Annex 1)
1) Name, number or station;
2) Region and city/town;
3) Order of accuracy;
4) Geodetic Coordinate System;
5) Datum and projection system elevation in meters;
6) Name of agency or office making the control survey;
7) Date the monument or station marker was set;
8) Complete description of location and type of marker. This description should include information
on how to reach the general location of the point site from a town or from some prominent feature
normally displayed on maps, and distance from a major roadway intersection.
9) The photograph of the location of the stations.
5.7 Accuracy, Tolerances and Misclosure

5.7.1 Accuracy
The accuracy standards shall address positional uncertainty and minimum angle, distances and
closure requirements of measurements in cadastral surveying and mapping activities. In order to
meet these standards the surveyor must assure that the positional uncertainties resulting from the
survey measurements made on the survey shall not exceed the allowable positional tolerance.
1) The accuracy of a total station is dependent on instrument type:-
a) Angle Accuracy (Horizontal or Vertical) can range from 2” to 5”.
b) Distance Accuracy can range from: +/-(3 + 3 ppm x D) mm where D = distance measured
c) Accuracy is highly dependent on leveling the instrument. Thus two leveling bubbles are
provided on the instrument and are referred to the circular level and the plate level. Circular
level is located on the tribe rack while plate level is on horizontal axis of instrument just
below the scope of the total station.
d) Sensitivity of Circular Level = 10”/2mm
e) Sensitivity of Plate Level = 30”/2m

5.7.2 Tolerance
The difference between the true value of any measurement and the measured value of that
measurement in a survey dataset (positional tolerance) shall not be greater than 20mm + 50 ppm.
The tolerance for supplemental cadastral survey control points shall be horizontal and vertical angle
= 30”, EDM = 5mm allows accuracy of duplicate readings to be checked.

5.7.3 Misclosure
The angular and linear misclosures committed in cadastral surveying measurements shall comply
with the following.
Traverse
First Order Second Order Third Order
Angle 2”√N 10”√N 15”√N
Or Or Or
1” Per Station 3” Per Station 5” Per Station
Linear 1:35,000 1:15,000 1:7,500
N is number of Station
The closing errors in a traverse are given in two forms.
 The square root is for longer line where higher proportional accuracy is required.

Leveling
First Order Second Order Third Order
3 mm √K 8.4 mm √K 12 mm √K
K is the distance in Kilometers
The areal misclosure shall be calculated from the linear and/or angular misclosures by the least
square adjustment method.

5.8 Units of Measurements

All linear and area measurements in cadastral dataset shall be stated in meter and decimals of meter
and square meter and decimals of square meter respectively. Every angular measurement in a
Cadastral surveying Dataset shall be angles measured or calculated in degree, minute and seconds
or decimals of degrees.
5.9 Surveying Equipment and Their Calibration
All electronic and optical survey measurement equipments shall be calibrated and checked every
year and after any maintenance against its instrument constant. The instrument constant for these
instruments shall be better than (5mm ± 5ppm). Electronic and optical instruments employed in
cadastral survey measurements shall be certified for calibration and conformity of their accuracy to
the instrument constant from Ethiopian Mapping Agency or from recognized organizations.

Dual frequency GPS receivers capable of making carrier phase observations shall be used for
establishing control stations in land boundary surveys.

5.9.1 Surveying Measurements

1) When positions are to be fixed by intersection, the angle at the vertex of any triangle used in
such determination shall not be less than 30 degrees nor greater than 120 degrees.
2) Any station pair used as azimuth or bearing reference for use with conventional survey
measurements during the course of a cadastral survey measurement shall be included in a
network or measured with a minimum of two independent vectors in a network.
3) Every azimuth recorded in a cadastral survey dataset (CSD) shall be measured or calculated,
expressed: Clockwise from the North.
4) The cadastral surveyor shall recheck the result of measurements of the traverse.
 5) Correction of physical factors like refraction, curvature, etc while taking linear measurements
shall be adjusted by the least square method of adjustment.
6) Every measurement in any Cadastral Survey Dataset (CSD) shall be measured or calculated and
reduced to the datum ellipsoid.
7) Traverse shall start from and close on the cadastral survey control network points.
8) When GPS is to be used in survey measurement activities:-
a) Every new control station in a cadastral survey control network shall be established by static
GPS surveying measurement method.
b) Points shall be established by two or more independent baselines. Single radial (spur) lines or
side shots to a point are not acceptable.

6. Cadastral Boundary Demarcation

The marking points shall be pegs of material including wood, steel, nails, color, concrete, sharpen
rock, marks on rocks and walls, steel pins driven into posts and drill holes in concrete. The marking
of boundaries in a cadastral survey where practicable shall be with pegs are as follows:-

6.1 Boundary Marking with Pegs

1) Pegs shall be of square section with sides not less than 50 mm and not less than 300 mm long,
and of sound, permanent, durable material;
2) Pegs shall be set with the top not more than 20 mm above the ground shall be set:-
a) At corners;
b) Along boundaries at intervals not exceeding 200 meter, or at lesser intervals so that inter-
visibility can be achieved between points 1.5 meter above adjacent pegs;
c) On curved boundaries so that the offset from the middle of the chord between adjacent pegs
shall not exceed 200 mm and that the interval between adjacent pegs shall be not more than
20 meters;
3) Where a corner to be marked is situated on rock concrete or other similar material, the marking
shall consist of a drill hole of not less than 10 mm width and 30 mm depth;
4) The Cadastral boundary marking shall be visible monuments with various markings established at
the vertex of boundary by using post concrete with in 100mm*100mm from the top and
150mm*150mm at the bottom total length 400mm of which 100mm above the ground.
5) The Cadastral boundary marking shall be visible monuments with various markings established at
the vertex of boundary by using sharpen rock as like as post concrete standard mentioned above.
 6) Survey pegs used for cadastral boundaries shall be cyan in color. It is also accepted practice that
other pegs, placed (e.g. for engineering or construction surveys or road) shall be of a different
color to avoid being mistaken as a boundary marker.
7) Parcel numbers shall be stamped on the top of the peg in appropriate face by using Red, White or
Yellow.

6.2 Boundary Marking Using Color

1) Color shall be used as an option when it is impossible to put the pegs or dig the hole on the
ground as well as when the boundary line is demarcated by fences PLASTIC color shall be used.
The colors to be used are Cyan, White and Yellow.
2) Symbol shall be used a circle with crossing line inside.
3) Cadastral surveyor shall establish traverse to mark the vertex of the boundaries.
4) Every boundary marks shall be placed by coordinates or azimuth and distance from a survey
station defining respective corners to be marked.
5) The setting out distance from a survey station to a boundary mark using steel tape and Electronic
distance measurement (EDM) shall not exceed 20m and 150m respectively.

7. Cadastral Survey Field Notes

Field notes and any other recorded information of every cadastral survey shall be recorded in a neat
and systematic manner and each page shall be signed and dated by the licensed surveyor on the date
or dates on which the information on the page was recorded. The licensed surveyor shall retain such
field notes in his own possession or where he is employed by a firm corporation department or public
authority he shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that they are kept in safe custody and shall fulfill
the following conditions:-
1) Field notes shall be recorded at the time of the survey,
2) Field notes shall be recorded on cadastral survey formats,
3) Field notes shall be recorded using pencil, with lead appropriate for the conditions,
4) Each Electronic Data Collection file shall be accompanied by its own set of field notes,
5) If corrections to the notes are necessary, a line will be drawn through the error (without obscuring
it) and the correct value or information written adjacent to it. Any entries made to the field notes
subsequent to the actual survey should be shown in highlighter,
6) Each set of field notes shall have a title sheet i.e marking of cadastral boundaries,
 7) The full names of all crew members, who participated in the survey described in the field notes,
will be recorded on the title sheet. It is acceptable to use crew member initials on individual
pages,
8) The instrument operator, rod person and note keeper/ sketch person will be identified on each
page of the field notes,
9) Page numbering will be in normal “book” format. The Title page will be “1”, the next left page
“2”, the next right page “3”,
10) A “special notes” or “legend” page will be used if notes contain non-standard abbreviations or
symbols,
11) Code information shall not be recorded in the notes as numeric values. Instead, the intent of the
code will be described in plain language,
12) It is acceptable to record approximate x, y, z coordinate system for Control Points, or other
objects, in the field notes as an aid to future surveyors attempting to find the item.

7.1 Survey Report

The survey report shall contain at least the following:-
1) Overall job, including purpose
2) Fieldwork equipment
3) Observation techniques
4) Sketches, photographs, etc.
5) Network design and geometry

7.2 Cadastral Survey Records on Parcel of the Land

Cadastral survey record of a parcel shall contain the following parcel information:
1) A plot of boundaries drawn to scale;
2) Designation of the subject parcel; i.e.
a) Notation and if applicable the description of each boundary corner,
b) Boundary dimensions of the subject parcel,
c) Coordinate of each boundary corner,
d) Parcel Identification code,

7.2.1 Information about the adjoining parcel:

1) Location: Parcel ID, City Block no., Neighborhood, Woreda,
 2) Other descriptions: Land use, land tenure type, Land grade, etc.

8. Material Required for Cadastral surveying

Survey instruments such as Total station, Differential (DGPS), Theodolite shall be used as options
based on their availabilities. In addition, the cadastral surveyor shall take to the field the following:
1) Cadastre index map,
2) Steel tape and optical square,
3) Field book,
4) Pegs,
5) Color,
6) Walk talk radio,
7) Other relevant instruments and documents.

9. Cadastral Surveyor
All cadastral surveyors on the top of the requirement and qualification stated on Urban
Cadastre Surveying regulation No. 323/2014 article 36, shall have the following competency
skills:
1) Conduct an Advanced GPS Data Collection and Set out Survey
2) Perform and Manage Advanced Surveying Computations
3) Perform Basic Engineering Drawings
4) Conduct Engineering Survey
5) Develop a Subdivision Survey Designs
6) Undertake Property and Land Survey and Set Out Procedures
7) Conduct Urban Land Engineering Surveying Project
8) Interpret and Analyze Spatial and Non Spatial Data
9) Apply Legislation to Urban Development
10) Perform Adjudication for Legal Cadastre
11) Assess applications for legislative compliance
12) Implement a Spatial Information Services Project Plan
13) Undertake Surveying Work Improvement
14) Integrate Surveying Dataset
15) Manage Quality Customer Service
16) Utilize Specialized Communication Skills
 Chapter Two
Cadastral Data Standard

10. Cadastre Base Map Preparation

For preparing a cadastre base map, only the following data sources shall be used.

10.1 Data Sources

10.1.1 Spatial Data source

The spatial component (parcel map) of the data should be obtained using the following techniques:-
1) Ground surveying
2) Aerial photography
3) High resolution satellite imagery (Refer to Urban Cadastral Surveying Directive
article 37 (6))

10.1.2 Non-Spatial Data source

The non-spatial (descriptive) information should be obtained from:
1) Existing Legal Documents
2) Field Observation

10.1.3 Other Data Sources

The following data can also be useful in preparing cadastral maps:
1) Local development plan (LDP)
2) Survey Plans
3) Existing base maps

10.2 Feature Extraction

1) When ortho-photo is used as data source in preparing cadastral map, the feature extraction
method must be primarily using photogrammetric technique (stereo compilation method). But as
an option, on-screen/heads-up digitizing can also be used provided that the capture scale is kept
constant at scale of 1:500 for 1:2000 scale output.
2) While digitizing a parcel boundary from aerial photograph, centerline of a boundary/fence should
be used whenever the sharing is between two adjacent private landholding of a parcel. On the
 other hand, whenever the sharing of boundaries is with road and open public land or easement,
the outer part of the boundary/fence outline shall be used.
3) Filed boundary conformation is mandatory for each parcel boundary after on-screen digitization.
4) Vertex should be available only at corner points of a parcel boundary where it changes its
direction. Avoid unnecessary vertex during digitization.
5) Each parcel boundary should be a closed polygon.
6) An entire area of a town/a project area should be covered by a parcel map including road,
streams, gullies, hills, pocket areas etc. Thus an aggregate area of each parcels of a town should
be equal to a total area of that town.

11. Datum and Map Projection System

Based on the national standard adopted by EMA, coordinates shall be calculated in reference to the
grid on UTM projection and zones 36, 37, or 38 depending on the geographic location.
1) Projection – Universal Transverse Mercator
2) Spheroid/Reference Ellipsoid – Clarke1880 modified
3) Local Geodetic Datum – Adindan
4) Unit – Meter

11.1 Projection Parameters

1) UTM Grid Zone – 36, 37, 38 depending up on the geographic location
2) Central Meridian – 33°E for zone 36; 39° E for zone 37; and 45° E for zone 38
3) False Easting – 500,000 m E
4) False Northing – 0 m N
5) Scale Factor - 0.9996

11.2 Coordinate Transformation Parameters and Coordinate System

The datum transformation parameters provided by EMA shall be used for transforming the geodetic
coordinates from WGS84 to Adindan geodetic datum. In cadastral surveying and mapping activities
the transformed coordinates shall be stated in Cartesian coordinate system;

The parameters to be used are:-

1) Semi-major axis (a): 6378249.145metre
2) Semi-minor axis (b): 6356514.9667metre
3) Ellipsoidal flattening (f):1/293.466307656
11.3 Translational transformation parameters are:-
1) Δx = -162
2) Δy = -12
3) Δz = 206

11.4 Scale and Accuracy of Cadastral Base Map

11.4.1 Scale
Cadastre base map for urban areas must be produced at a scale of 1:2,000 regardless of the methods
(aerial photography and/or ground surveying) used to prepare the map. But the scale of data
collection can be larger than 1:2,000.

11.4.2 Accuracy
1) The level of accuracy required for a cadastral map depends on the sources of data. Cadastral maps
prepared from ground surveying technique should be more accurate than aerial photography.
Below are accuracy levels that must be achieved from both techniques:
a) From ground surveying - positional tolerance shall not be greater than 20mm + 50ppm.
b) From aerial photography-
i. Horizontal Accuracy in RMSE must not exceed two pixels size of Ground Sample
Distance (in x and y).
ii. Vertical Accuracy in RMSE must not exceed three pixels size of Ground Sample
Distance (in z).
Regardless of the method, however, the positional accuracy of the final output should not exceed
40cm at scale of 1:2000.

12. Cadastre Maps and Non Spatial Data Content

12.1 Cadastre Base Map Content

Cadastre base maps shall be tied to the geodetic network and contain the following (for sample
cadastral base map refer to Annex 2):-
1) Administrative boundaries,
2) The location of major natural and manmade features such as roads, water features, hedge lines,
 elevation, etc…,
3) Parcel boundaries,
4) Building footprints,
5) Permanent survey control points,
6) The scale of cadastral base map,
7) Northing,
8) Legend of the map,
9) Author of the map,
10) Date the map was prepared,
11) Map projection,
12) Title
13) Sheet Number

12.2 Cadastre Index Map content

1) The location details of the cadastral units are shown in the cadastral index map. The cadastral
index map shows the limits of cadastral units and the data required for the identification of those
units (for sample cadastral index map refer to Annex 3).
2) The boundary of blocks and landholding adjudication neighborhood shall be indicated.
3) The cadastral index map shall include:-
a) The parcels marked with the identifier and location of the parcel registered in the cadastre,
b) The current boundaries of the detailed local plan and the general plan that are going to be
registered in the cadastre,
4) The area dimensions of cadastral units that are more exact than those in the cadastral map can be
found in the survey documents and on the terrain,
5) The scale of cadastral index map not less than 1:2000,
6) The size of the paper to print out cadastral index map shall be A1, A2 and A3
7) Other basic map information (marginal information), including a map number, date map was
prepared, block code, map scale, map legend, north arrow, map key or link to adjoining maps,
map sheet number, disclaimer, producer information.

12.3 Cadastral Map Content

Cadastral maps shall be prepared once the parcel is adjudicated and the boundary is marked as
articulated on a proclamation to provide for registration of urban land holding article 7 shall include
the following basic information:-
 1) Administrative boundaries,
2) Block boundaries and their code,
3) Boundaries of all adjudicated parcels,
4) Unique Parcel identification Code (UPIC),
5) Parcel dimensions and areas,
6) Datum projection system,
7) Boundaries and names of administrative subdivisions, such as city/towns, Woreda, Sector, and
neighborhood,
8) Locations and names of streets, highways, alleys, railroads, rivers, lakes, and other geographic
features,
9) Other basic map information (marginal information), including a map number, date map was
prepared, block, map scale, map legend, north arrow, map key or link to adjoining maps, map
sheet number, disclaimer, producer information
a) Generally, cadastral map shall show the respective administrative boundaries, cadastre index
maps and parcel boundary and coordinates.
b) When need arise, it is also possible to include the following supplemental information
10) Supplemental Information
a) Street numbers
b) Monument network coordinate listing
12.4 Non-Spatial Data
As provided by the registration of urban landholding registration proclamation no. 818/2014, article
30 , the non spatial data shall mainly contain the register right, restriction and responsibilities of the
proprietorship including other descriptive data. In accordance with ISO 19152 Land Administration
Domain Model in relation to Ethiopia context, right, restriction and responsibility can be defined as
follow. ‘Right’ is a formal or informal entitlement to possess, to do something, or to refrain from
doing something. A right can be a use right. A ‘restriction’ is a formal or informal entitlement to
refrain from doing something; e.g. it is not allowed to build within 50 meters from a road. A
‘responsibility’ is a formal or informal obligation to do something. Therefore; the non-spatial data on
the parcel of the registry shall contain the following basic data:
1) UPIC
2) Proprietorship information & Address
a) Full name
b) Sex
c) Nationality
 d) Marital Status
e) Address
f) Identification Card No.
3) Right, restriction & responsibility
4) Servitude information (easement, etc)
5) Encumbrances information( mortgage, court verdict)
6) Land use
7) Tenure Type

Chapter Three
Unique Parcel identification code Standard

13. Basic Principles

The parcel identification code shall meet the following principles:
1) Uniqueness -is the most important attribute of a PIN. It refers to a one-to-one relationship
between a parcel and its identifier. An identifier should be assigned to one and only one parcel.
2) Permanent- Parcel identifiers should be permanent and change only when absolutely necessary.
This is especially important when stakeholders such as planning departments or tax payment
tracking services link their own databases to the assessor's.
3) Simple- Parcel identifiers should be easy to understand and use quarter-quarter-section numbers,
along with individual parcel and have as few digits as possible. A parcel identifier that is
uncomplicated and easily understood helps to reduce errors in its use.
4) Easily Maintainable- The parcel identification system should be easy to maintain and should
efficiently accommodate changes, such as splitting or merging parcels.
5) Flexible-The parcel identification system should be reasonably flexible. It should be capable of
serving a variety of uses: not just land parcels, but multi-story condominiums, sub-surface rights,
leases, easements, and so on.
6) Accessibility- the description about the parcel shall be accessible to the user.

13.1 Assigning Parcel Identification Code

According to Urban Landholding Registration Proclamation No. 818/2014 Article 8, each parcel
shall have a unique parcel identification code which may not be duplicated on another parcel in any
urban center. For this purpose a national standard is required to assign a code for each parcel.
 The unique parcel identification code shall take the following form:
Region code + city/town code + + Woreda code + Neighborhood code
City block number + parcel number
1) Region code (type= Alphabetic;2 digit)
2) City/Town code (type= number;3 digits)
3) Woreda (type= number; 2 digits)
4) Neighborhood (type= number; 2 digits)
5) City Block number code (type = number ; 2digit)
6) Parcel number code (type = number; 3 digit)
Total No. of digits:- 14
• Example: OR001062314112 (Oromiya region, Adama town, Woreda 06, Neighborhood
23, city block 14 & parcel no. 112)

13.2 Region Code

The region code shall take the two alphabetical letters of the region name. Therefore, as a national
standard the regions shall take the following code:-
1) Addis Ababa = AA
2) Afar Regional Government = AF
3) Amhara Regional Government = AM
4) BenishangulGumuz Regional Government = BG
5) Dire Dawa City Administration= DD
6) EthioSomale Regional Government= SO
7) Gambela Regional Government = GA
8) Harrari Regional Government = HR
9) Oromiya Regional Government = OR
10) Southern Nations, Nationalities & People Regional Government = SN
11) Tigray Regional Government= TG

13.3 City/Town code

The town or city code shall be assigned by regional government urban bureau.
13.4 Condominium/Apartment code
Specific condominium units and house number should be assigned separately once the parcel
(condominium site) is identified. Thus, it is easily possible to identify by indexing the
condominium to the ground parcel. The index should take the following code:
1) Condominium Block unit code (type= number; 2 digit)
2) Condominium floor code (type= number; 2 digit)
3) House number code (type= number; 2 digit)
Example: OR001062314112050201=20 digits

13.5 Control of New Parcel Numbers

The control of the subsequent allocation, re-allocation, and withdrawal of parcel identifiers is part
of the larger process of managing land-tenure changes. There are various techniques available for
monitoring the fidelity of a parcel identifier from the time of its initial assignment through
subsequent processing, most of which employ the addition of a redundant check digit. The simplest
approach is the addition of a check digit at the end of an identifier, which is mathematically related
to the sequence of digits in the identifier.

13.5.1 Splitting a parcel

If the configuration of a parcel is changed (e.g., typically by subdivision), that parcel ceases to
exist, and new identifiers are assigned to the new parcels following the last parcel in the block.
However, the original parcel remains as a historic entity and the descriptions of it that were
entered in the various registers and files when it did exist remain coded to it. Indexes that identify
such “retired” parcels must be included in the records system unless provided otherwise by
statute.

13.5.2 Merging adjacent parcels

When two consecutive parcels are merged, the identification of the new parcel shall be next to the
identification of the last parcel within the block.
 Chapter Four
Spatial Data Exchange & Cartographic Standard

14. Spatial Data Exchange Standard

Digital cadastral information whether in vector or raster form must be stored and exchanged in the
following standard data format.

14.1 Standards for vector data format:-

1) ESRI Shape File (.shp)
2) ESRI personal geodatabase (.mdb)
3) ESRI file geodatabase (.gdb)
4) Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)
5) AutoCad drawing format (dwg)
6) DGN (Microstation)
7) ASCII

14.2 Standards for raster data format

1) ECW
2) JPEG
3) EMF
4) PNG
5) PDF
6) Tiff/GeoTIFF – particularly for orthophoto
7) IMAGE/UMG
8) GIF
9) JPG.
NB: Orthophoto should be free from any compression

15. Cartographic Standard

The following cartographic elements should appear on all cadastral and base maps in order to
facilitate functionality. Other elements can be included according to local needs or resources.
15.1 Marginal Information
1) Map Title (Sheet Name)
2) Series Number
3) Edition number
4) North Arrow
5) Bar Scale
6) Legend
7) Sheet Number
8) Index to adjoining sheet
9) Inset maps
10) Copyright
11) Aerial Photography date
12) Cautions

15.2 Border Information

1) Geographical Coordinates
2) Values of graticule lines or ticks
3) Destination of roads and railways

15.3 Additional Information

The map can include the following information:
1) Sheet history
2) Printing Date
Municipality/Town Name, and optionally the address, phone number, fax, e-mail, etc
3) Disclaimer

16. EffCtive Date

These standards shall inter into force as of Jannuary 9,2007 EC. (2015 G.C)

___________________________________________
Mekuria Haile
Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and Construction Minister
 Annex-1
FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA ORMIYA REGIONAL STATE
LEGAL CADASTRAL CONTROL POINT MONOGRAPH
ADAMA CITY LAND HOLDING REGISTRATION
NATURE OF CONTROL POINT
Post Concrete

CADASTRAL CONTROL POINTS ID:

ESTABILISMENT DATE
April 2013
CCP 01

RECOVERED DATE

Universal Transverse Mercator System Of Co-ordinate Zone:-36

Desirable Horizontal Accuracy 10mm+5ppm
Latitude =12” 30”21.06400” North =
Longitude=57”28”11.04500” East =
Mapping Angle : Height =
Scale Factor=.99999 Height Factor=.999876 Combine Factor=.999978
Coordinate System Datum Ellipsoid Actual Accuracy
UTM Adindan Clark 1880 10mm+2ppm

POINT MONOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPH

CCP 04
CCP 03
Aba
SDS TO A.A

22 CCP 01 CCP 02

X HOTEL N

Device Type Oper. Mode Rec. Per Unit No

GPS Survey Thales Promark3 Static 5” 4
General Last Observation Min. Observation Operator Code

Information Date Period

April 2013 5min Per Km
Point Of Description
Pair CCP Azimuth Angle (Degree) Distance (Meters)
Ref A Point N”CCP 02 120”45”78.099” 289.553
Ref B Point N”CCP 03 76”87”65.073” 269.382
Remark
Operator /Surveyor/Agency Name Signature Date

Checked By Signature Date

Annex-2
Annex-3
Annex-4