Plat

A detailed map or survey of a parcel of land that shows boundaries, lot dimensions, easements, rights-of-way, and other features, recorded with the local government to legally define the property.

What Is a Plat?

A plat is a scaled map or drawing of a piece of land that shows the boundaries, dimensions, and layout of lots, streets, easements, and other features. Plats are prepared by licensed surveyors and recorded with the county recorder or equivalent local authority, making them part of the official public record. Once recorded, a plat becomes the legal description of the property — defining exactly where lot lines fall, what easements exist, and how the land relates to adjacent parcels.

Types of Plats

There are several types of plats depending on the stage of development. A preliminary plat is a draft layout submitted for review before final approval, showing proposed lot configurations, street patterns, and utility corridors. A final plat is the surveyed, engineered version that gets recorded after all conditions of approval are met. A replat (or replatting) modifies an existing recorded plat — for example, combining two lots into one or adjusting lot lines. An amending plat makes minor corrections to a recorded plat without going through full replat procedures.

Why Platting Matters

Platting is a required step in the subdivision and land development process. Before a developer can sell individual lots, obtain building permits, or record deeds for new parcels, the land must be properly platted and the plat must be approved by the local jurisdiction. The platting process ensures that new development conforms to zoning requirements, provides adequate access and utilities, dedicates necessary rights-of-way for roads and infrastructure, and establishes required easements. Skipping or errors in the platting process can create serious title issues and block future permits.

Plat vs. Survey

While related, a plat and a survey serve different purposes. A survey measures and maps existing conditions on a specific parcel. A plat is a legal document that creates or defines parcels — it's a plan for how land will be divided and used. Surveys inform plats, but recording a plat has legal force that a survey alone does not.