An ALTA survey can look complete and still miss the one detail that matters most to your deal. The difference usually comes down to Table A items, the optional list that decides exactly what the surveyor checks and reports.

Pick the wrong items, and your title company or lender may ask for more work later, right when your closing timeline has no room left. Pick the right ones, and your survey answers the questions your deal actually depends on.

In Denver, where commercial deals move fast and properties range from downtown high-rises to industrial sites near the rail corridors, getting Table A right the first time saves both time and money.

Why Table A Items Matter in ALTA Surveys

Table A items are the optional part of an ALTA survey. The base survey covers standard boundary and title details, but Table A items add specific information based on your property and transaction.

Without the right Table A items, a survey can miss details a lender or title company needs. This can lead to a second site visit, extra fees and a delayed closing.

What Table A Actually Is

The ALTA/NSPS standards set a base list of items a survey must always include. Table A adds a menu of extra items, numbered 1 through 21, that buyers, lenders or title companies can request based on the property. These might include zoning classification, utility locations, parking counts or flood zone data.

Not every project needs every item. The goal is choosing the ones that match your specific property and deal.

Choosing Table A Items Based on Project Needs

Choosing Table A items starts with understanding what your lender, title company or project team actually needs to see. A residential lot closing looks nothing like a commercial redevelopment deal.

Questions to Ask Before Ordering

Before you order an ALTA survey, ask these questions:

• Does the lender have a required Table A item list?
• Is the property zoned for a use that needs zoning confirmation?
• Will the deal involve future construction or site changes?
• Are there known utility, access or easement concerns?
• Does the title company require flood zone certification?

Your surveyor can walk through this list with you, but starting the conversation early gives you time to confirm requirements before the survey is scheduled.

Denver-Specific Considerations

Denver has seen fast commercial and industrial growth over the past several years, especially near transit corridors and redeveloped industrial zones. Properties in these areas sometimes carry easements, utility crossings or zoning conditions tied to past uses. Table A items covering zoning, utilities and easements often matter more here than on a simple, undeveloped lot.

Common Table A Items That Affect Closing Preparation

Some Table A items come up again and again in commercial transactions because they directly affect closing preparation.

Zoning Classification

Item 6 covers zoning classification and setback requirements. Lenders often require this item because it confirms the property’s current zoning matches what the buyer intends to do with it.

Utilities

Item 11 covers utility locations, both above and below ground. This matters for any property where future construction or site changes are planned, since unknown utility lines can delay a project after closing.

Parking

Item 9 covers striped parking spaces. Commercial deals involving retail, office or multifamily properties often need this confirmed, since parking counts can affect zoning compliance and lease terms.

Flood Zone Data

Item 3 covers flood zone classification. Title companies and lenders frequently require this, since it affects insurance requirements and can influence loan terms.

Requirements can vary by lender, title company, county and property type. Confirm exactly which items your specific transaction requires before the survey is scheduled.

Coordinating ALTA Survey Requirements With Project Teams

An ALTA survey involves more people than just the buyer and surveyor. Lenders, title companies, attorneys and sometimes engineers all rely on the same survey to move the transaction forward.

Getting Everyone on the Same Page Early

The earlier your survey team knows which Table A items are required, the less risk of a delay. Share the lender’s required item list with your surveyor as soon as you have it. If your title company has specific requirements, pass those along too.

Miscommunication about Table A items is one of the most common reasons a survey needs to be revised close to closing. A short conversation early on usually prevents this.

How Proper Table A Planning Reduces Transaction Risks

Careful Table A planning reduces the risk of delays, added costs and last-minute surprises before closing. A survey missing a required item can send your team back to the surveyor for an update, and that update takes time your closing schedule may not have.

Proper planning also protects your investment after closing. A survey that documents zoning, utilities and easements accurately gives you a clear picture of what you are buying and what limitations may come with it.

Table A requirements can vary widely depending on lender, title company, property type and project scope. If your closing or financing timeline depends on the survey, confirm exactly which items are needed as early as possible in the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an ALTA survey and a standard boundary survey? 

An ALTA survey follows national standards set for real estate transactions and often includes Table A items requested by a lender or title company. A standard boundary survey confirms property lines but does not typically include the added detail Table A items provide.

Who decides which Table A items to include? 

Usually the lender, title company or buyer’s attorney specifies required items. The buyer or their team should confirm this list with the surveyor before the survey begins.

How many Table A items should I include? 

This depends on your property and transaction. Including too few can lead to a required update later. Including items your deal does not need adds unnecessary cost. Your surveyor can help match items to your specific project.