| Subdivision platting is the process of splitting one larger | | | | lot sizes or lot geometry. |
| piece of land into several smaller pieces of land. | | | | In order for the plat to become legally valid in most |
| Generally, this plat, or map, is drawn to be used to sell | | | | jurisdictions, a local governing body such as an urban |
| off the smaller pieces of land. These pieces of land | | | | planning commission or zoning board must generally |
| are often built upon before being sold, often by the | | | | review and approve the plat map. This board will |
| same home builder, giving the look that many are | | | | ensure that the plat map follows all applicable laws and |
| familiar with of a subdivision with many similarly | | | | restrictions. There are many variations between cities, |
| designed homes, each one on a separate lot of land. | | | | counties and states in the requirements for land |
| Usually, the creation of a subdivision plat is done by a | | | | subdivision that must be considered. After the plat is |
| land surveyor who has been hired by the developer, | | | | filed, the legal description of each piece of land often |
| who will be building upon the land once the plat is | | | | refers to block and lot numbers, rather than other |
| approved. This may be the original owner of the land, | | | | surveying terminology such as portions of sections. |
| or an individual or company who has purchased the | | | | Although a subdivision may be made for any purpose, |
| land strictly for the purpose of subdividing it. | | | | it is almost always done for the purpose of selling the |
| The plat completed by the process of subdivision | | | | individual lots of land. It is very common to subdivide |
| platting shows the divisions of the piece of land, | | | | the land for the purpose of building a single house on |
| showing the distance and bearings between each | | | | each new lot to create a new neighborhood, often |
| corner of land. In modern subdivisions, these maps may | | | | termed a "subdivision." |
| also include new roads that exist between the | | | | Besides subdivision plats, there are also a few other |
| sections of land, where none did before. Plat maps | | | | types. These include a plat of consolidation, when a |
| help to exist that all properties have access to a public | | | | landowner has purchased adjacent lots of land and |
| right of way, usually meaning a road. Without such | | | | wishes to consolidate them legally. A Correction Plat |
| access, a landowner would have no way to access | | | | may be used to record minor corrections to a plat |
| their land without trespassing across others' properties. | | | | which already exists, although these are infrequently |
| The subdivision platting process ensures that this does | | | | used. A Vacating Plat legally voids a prior plat that |
| not happen. | | | | was drawn. This may happen when a subdivision plat |
| Subdivision plat maps also include the setting aside of | | | | was undertaken but all of the platted lots remain |
| part of the property for easements, parks, areas | | | | unsold and there have been no buildings constructed |
| needed for flood protection, or other public uses. | | | | and no other public improvements. The creation of a |
| Subdivisions that have been platted correctly ensure | | | | plat map is usually one of the steps in incorporating a |
| compliance with zoning regulations, which often restrict | | | | town or city. |