Legal Definitions - plat map

Plat Map

A plat map is an official drawing that illustrates how a larger piece of land has been divided into smaller, individual parcels, often for development, sale, or public record-keeping. It serves as a precise legal and visual record, detailing property boundaries, lot numbers, block numbers, street names, and sometimes easements or common areas. Once recorded with the appropriate government authority, a plat map becomes the primary reference for legally identifying and describing specific properties within that mapped area.

• Example 1: A New Residential Subdivision

  Imagine a real estate developer purchases a large, undeveloped tract of land on the outskirts of a city. Before they can begin building homes or selling individual lots, they must create and record a plat map. This map will show how the large tract is subdivided into dozens of smaller residential lots, each with a unique lot number, along with the new streets, sidewalks, and any designated public spaces like parks. This plat map legally defines each individual property for future sales and ownership, ensuring clear boundaries for every homeowner.

• Example 2: Resolving a Property Boundary Dispute

  Two neighbors are in disagreement over the exact location of their shared property line, particularly where a new fence should be built. To resolve this, they might consult the official plat map filed with the county recorder's office for their neighborhood. This map would clearly show the precise dimensions and boundaries of each neighbor's lot, identified by its specific lot and block number within the subdivision, providing the definitive legal answer to their dispute and helping them correctly place the fence.

• Example 3: City Planning and Infrastructure Development

  A city's planning department is considering extending a new water line through an existing commercial district. To accurately plan the route and understand which properties will be affected, they would refer to the area's plat maps. These maps would show the existing division of land into blocks and lots, the location of streets, and any existing utility easements, allowing the city to precisely identify property owners and plan infrastructure without encroaching on private land without proper authorization or compensation.