A plat map is a authorized doc that reveals how a bit of land is split. It outlines property boundaries, lot dimensions, close by streets, easements, and different key options. These maps are created by surveyors and utilized by native governments to maintain observe of land possession and improvement.
Homebuyers usually obtain a plat map throughout the closing course of. It might seem to be simply one other piece of paperwork, however it’s vital to evaluate it fastidiously. Errors or misunderstandings about your property strains can have an effect on every part from fencing to future development. So whether or not you’re looking for properties in San Jose, CA, or on the brink of shut on a home in Philadelphia, PA, this Redfin article outlines every part that you must learn about plat maps and find out how to learn them.
What’s a plat map and the way is it completely different from a plot map?
A plat map particulars a group of plots in a single space and the way that land is split. A single plat map can differ in measurement, exhibiting a handful of properties, a neighborhood, or a complete city or county. Plat maps may also be used to find out property strains and land use, similar to your skill to construct different buildings on the property.
Plot maps element a single plot of land. Consider it as a close-up on simply the land you’re shopping for. You’ll see the place current buildings fall, boundary measurements of your plot, and any rights of method.
It’s vital to notice that not all properties are platted, so a plat map could not all the time be obtainable. Plat maps may also be modified and up to date, so all the time make sure you’re the latest obtainable knowledge.
What does a plat map present?
Reviewing your plat map ought to give you precise details about your property, together with:
Orientation: This refers back to the land’s relationship to the cardinal instructions (north, south, east, and west). Orientation is vital for understanding how the solar will fall throughout your land and its buildings — is it sun-soaked or sun-starved?
Land measurement: Your boundary strains and their measurements. The sq. footage of the plot needs to be listed and the land measurement ought to match what the vendor has acknowledged.
Flood zones: Your flood zone impacts your private home insurance coverage price, resale worth, and the place you possibly can construct new buildings. It’s not essentially a nasty factor to purchase in a flood zone, however you ought to be conscious of the flood zone(s) that fall in your property.
Open areas: Also referred to as “greenbelts,” these areas are pure lands meant to protect wild areas. They might be leisure parks, preserves and reserves, wetlands, or wildlife refuges.
Leisure areas: That is your space’s parks, playgrounds, and sporting services like soccer or baseball fields.
Monuments: To appropriately survey land, governments have boundary factors or markers, known as monuments, which can be usually positioned in concrete alongside roads to point a property’s boundary factors.
Easements: Easements present components of an space that the general public, the federal government, your neighbors, or personal corporations have entry rights to. They modify your rights as a property proprietor, so make sure you perceive any easements in your land.
Forms of plat maps and whenever you’ll want them
As a home-owner, chances are you’ll want a number of kinds of plat maps, relying in your state of affairs. Listed below are the 5 varieties you would possibly encounter:
Plat of subdivision
Information how a tract of land is split into smaller parcels.
While you want it: When you’re shopping for one of many smaller parcels or for those who’re buying a big tract of land that you simply plan to subdivide.
2. Quick plat
Much like a plat of subdivision however for not more than 4 separate parcels of land.
While you want it: When you’re shopping for as much as 4 separate parcels.
3. Plat of consolidation
Combines a number of adjoining parcels into one bigger tract of land.
While you want it: If the earlier proprietor purchased a number of parcels now promoting to you, or for those who’ve bought further parcels.
4. Amending Plat
Information modifications or corrections to an current plat map.
While you want it: If there have been any pure or artifical modifications to the property.
5. Vacating plat
Legally cancels an current plat map.
While you want it: If that you must nullify an current plat map for any motive.
When you’re uncertain about the kind of plat map you want, your actual property agent, lender, and native municipality can provide steerage on the best plat map(s) in your house.
Why is a plat map vital?
A plat map can have an effect on your property in a number of vital methods:
1. Property boundaries
Plat maps assist affirm precisely what land you’re buying. If a fence, shed, or driveway crosses right into a neighbor’s lot, a plat map might help resolve disputes.
2. Easements
You may not be capable of construct on a part of your land if there’s an easement for issues like utility strains, stormwater drainage, or shared driveways. Plat maps assist establish these areas upfront.
3. Zoning and land use
When you’re planning to construct an addition, set up a pool, or subdivide the land, your native zoning workplace could check with the plat map to find out what’s allowed.
4. Future planning and resale
Understanding your lot structure and entry factors could make it simpler to plan enhancements—or clarify your property to future patrons.
When do you obtain a plat map?
You’ll normally obtain a plat map throughout the closing course of when shopping for a house. It might be a part of the title report or included in your survey paperwork. You can too request a duplicate out of your native planning or assessor’s workplace, or search on-line in case your municipality offers public entry.
Methods to learn a plat map
While you get your plat map, find the image legend. This may make it easier to learn every part appropriately, and it’ll present you find out how to discover the monuments in your neighborhood. You must also find the directional arrow (pointing north) and the size, usually positioned close to one another within the high left or top-right nook of the map.
The plots are kind of rectangular bins following roads and marked with lot numbers within the center. Beneath the lot quantity is the lot measurement, written in sq. ft. The parcel quantity can be listed in smaller numbers throughout the plot boundary, and the home quantity will seem simply exterior your plot boundary alongside the road line.
FAQs about plat maps
How correct are plat maps?
The accuracy of your plat map relies on how just lately it was up to date. If the plat map you’re utilizing was created throughout the previous 5 years, you possibly can depend on it to be principally correct. Nevertheless, older maps usually tend to have discrepancies attributable to climate occasions and different modifications. A survey of the property can guarantee accuracy.
What’s the distinction between plat maps and plot maps?
The first distinction between plat maps and plot maps is the scope they cowl. Plat maps present a bigger space of land and embody a number of heaps. Plot maps, however, solely element one lot.
When would you want a plat map?
You first obtain your plat map throughout the closing course of whenever you purchase a house. You’ll need to pay shut consideration to the plat map throughout this course of as a result of what it says determines what you’re shopping for. You’ll want the plat map once more for those who refinance your private home, request a constructing allow, or for those who plan to subdivide your lot.
When closing on a house, you’ll use the plat map to confirm the property in your sale. The plat will present the lot’s dimensions with the authorized property strains. You’ll need to be sure that:
How do I discover a plat map of my property?
There are a number of methods to get your plat map, relying on the kind of map you want and the rationale for getting it. You’ll be able to acquire the map from:
- Your native authorities, both town information workplace or county assessor’s workplace.
- The Bureau of Land Administration (BLM), for those who want a plat map for federal lands.
- Your title firm offers the plat map among the many paperwork you get on account of your title search.
Do you want a property survey?
If the property’s plat reveals any easements or encroachments, you must order a property survey from a licensed surveyor. You must also order one if there was any current land motion or flooding, as this might have an effect on property strains, topography, and any easements.