Complete Guide to Plat Creation

A comprehensive walkthrough of the plat creation process from field data to final submission

Step 1: Field Data Collection

Field Survey Requirements

Establish control points and benchmarks
Locate property corners and monuments
Measure boundary lines and angles
Document physical features and improvements

Required Documentation

Field Notes

• Weather conditions
• Equipment used
• Crew members
• Time and date

Measurements

• Raw data files
• Sketch drawings
• Control point coordinates
• Photo documentation

Equipment Checklist

Primary

• Total Station
• GPS Receiver
• Data Collector
• Tripod

Secondary

• Measuring Tape
• Level Rod
• Prism Pole
• Stakes

Safety

• Safety Vest
• First Aid Kit
• Traffic Cones
• Work Gloves

Step 2: CAD Project Setup

Layer Structure

Base Layers

• Boundary Lines
• Monuments
• Property Lines
• Easements

Annotation Layers

• Dimensions
• Text Labels
• Title Block
• Notes

Text Styles & Dimensions

Title Block

• Main Title: 24pt
• Subtitle: 18pt
• General Text: 12pt

Dimensions

• Text Height: 10pt
• Arrow Size: 0.125"
• Extension: 0.125"

Notes

• General: 10pt
• Legal: 8pt
• References: 8pt

Template Setup

Sheet Layout

• Size: 24" x 36"
• Margins: 0.5"
• Title Block: 3.5" height
• Scale Bar location

Viewport Setup

• Main view scale
• Detail view locations
• North arrow position
• Legend placement

Step 3: Drawing Creation

Boundary Creation

Property Lines

• Import field data
• Connect property corners
• Add bearings and distances
• Label monuments

Curve Data

• Calculate curve elements
• Create curve tables
• Add curve labels
• Check closure

Features & Details

Easements

• Utility easements
• Access easements
• Setback lines
• Right-of-way

Site Features

• Buildings
• Driveways
• Utilities
• Landscaping

Topography

• Contour lines
• Spot elevations
• Drainage features
• Slopes

Text & Annotations

Required Text

• Legal description
• Basis of bearings
• Certification statement
• Notes and references

Labels

• Street names
• Adjacent owners
• Lot numbers
• Areas and distances

Step 4: Review & Submission

Quality Control Checklist

Math check of all courses and curves

Compare plat to field notes

Verify monuments and corners

Check title block information

Review legal description

Required Documentation

Physical Documents

• Signed and sealed plat
• Computation sheets
• Field notes
• Supporting documents

Digital Files

• CAD files (DWG)
• PDF copies
• Raw data files
• Digital photos

Submission Process

1. Agency Filing

Submit required copies to local jurisdiction for review

2. Review Period

Allow 2-4 weeks for agency review and comments

3. Address Comments

Make necessary revisions and resubmit if required

4. Final Recording

File approved plat with County Recorder's office

Progress Tracker

Progress

25%

Current Step: Data Collection

Helpful Resources

CAD Templates

Standard plat templates

Review Checklists

Quality control guides

Symbol Library

Standard CAD symbols

Legal References

Standards & regulations

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