how to read coordinates on a plat map

Thank you for this article! Use a ruler to draw vertical and horizontal lines from the location to the edges of the map. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Locate the evenly-spaced horizontal (latitude) and vertical (longitude) lines on a map. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. When you buy a home, a plat map will likely be provided to you by your title company. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The first quadrant N-E is from 0-90, the second quadrant N-W from 90-180, the third quadrant S-W from 180-270 and the fourth quadrant S-E from 270-360. So you could get a rough idea where the corners are and then get ballpark coordinates to use in your GPS. Next, find the survey legend. If youre trying to understand what a plat map is, this type of map: Whether youre looking to buy a home or place your property on the market, having a plat map on hand can prove useful for a wide variety of scenarios that could arise. As a homeowner, knowing where these easements are located may be able to put your mind at ease if you spot someone else on your property. 2. While a plat map can give you a wealth of information about your property, it might not be hyper-accurate or the latest version of events on your land. Open the tool from the toolbar, then select a coordinate format. ", How to Read Latitude and Longitude on a Map, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/latitude/, http://www.coastalnavigation.com/samples/sec_1/1_pages/1_2.htm, https://admin.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/longitude/, https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/earthsciences/pdf/topo101/pdf/mapping_basics_e.pdf, lire la latitude et la longitude sur une carte, Leggere la Latitudine e la Longitudine su una Mappa, Lengte en breedtegraad aflezen van een kaart. . In the Search box in the left-hand panel, enter coordinates using one of these formats: Decimal Degrees: such as 37.7, -122.2 Degrees, Minutes, Seconds: such as. Assessor Parcel Map PDF/DWG locator. Report inaccuracies to the surveyor for immediate correction. Read The Property Line Map, Or 'Plat' A property line basemap, or a "plat," is a drawing that maps out your property's boundary lines and includes details like elevations, bodies of water and structures. The number and name of the subdivision that your land is in will also be included on the plat map. The report will also indicate if these improvements meet the code standards set up by the local building department. # Tracking and Navigation # Pin your desired location on the map to start navigation. Although you'll have to schlep all the way to your county courthouse to get your hands on the physical plat map, you might be able to find a copy online. Without this map, its possible that some of the shed could be situated on your neighbors land, which would undoubtedly create problems that you would rather avoid. The meridian on the opposite side of the earth from the prime meridian is called the anti-meridian. How to read plat map coordinates : The Plat May Also Show Any Storm. "Metes and bounds" refers to the surveyor's measurements of each portion of the property boundary. Step 2 Run the legal description if the land is described by metes and bounds. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. These cookies do not store any personal information. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Once youve accessed the most recent plat map of your property, get the most out of reading it with a few additional tips. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This may be (probably is) a very stupid question, but I know nothing about map coordinate systems etc. The Public Land Survey System is based on a principal meridian - an imaginary north-south line - and a baseline or imaginary east-west line from which other survey lines are projected. - Save your favorit https://www.statesurveys.com.au/surveying/cadastral/boundary-survey-plan/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6h5yALeMMA, http://www.chastainassociates.com/understanding-surveys.aspx, http://realestate.findlaw.com/neighbors/top-10-reasons-to-have-your-property-surveyed.html, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/read-land-survey-map-1304.html, http://allegiancetitle.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/How-to-Read-a-Survey11.pdf. D. Lot Number. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. For information about how to understand the property boundaries, read on! A metes and bounds measurement might use monuments, angles, or structures to describe a property instead of feet. For instance, there may be a Graticule marked at every minute within a degree instead of every degree (e.g., 320, 321, and so on). Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Sure seems like we're in violent agreement on the key points: as stated in the programs 'frequently asked questions:'. A plat of subdivision, for example, might have information about the parcel as well as the division of land. The illustration is basically a map of the area surveyed. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. First four numbers of the assessor's parcel number (APN) B. Assessor's Page Number. The map should also indicate where the latitude and longitude depicted are relative to the equator and prime meridian, respectively (e.g., North or South, East or West). It also essential to read about the surrounding land represented in the survey plate. How interesting! If your longitude line falls about 2/10 to the left of the 12014E line, then the longitude is roughly 1201412E. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. By using our site, you agree to our. A plat map displays how a large area of land is effectively separated into lots. This Web site is not the official Web site of Compass. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Home Press How to Read a Plat Map: The Basics You Need to Know. This article has been viewed 300,048 times. As long as you know what youre looking at, a plat map isnt too difficult to read. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. So, when you need to find or read the coordinates on the map. While plat maps are commonly used for developers when they are looking to build a home, they can also be helpful for homeowners and buyers alike. This document is intended to help the average person understand how to interpret the information provided on a typical land survey. 4 degrees of error down one side of your parcel equates to about a 460' error in where you think the property corner should be. When youre ready to put your knowledge to the test, pick the location youre interested in. The map will show the size of the land, any nearby streets, boundary locations, easements on the land, and possible flood zones. The property lines that you see on the plat map will have numbers alongside them. If you are the owner of any content used on our website and would like us to remove your content, please contact us immediately and we will promptly remove this content from our website. Not just anyone can come up with a plat map. If you dont want anyone else to use your land, knowing if there are any easements could play a big part in whether or not you select the property. Ben Fry created an basic application called zipdecode that shows the location of all the ZIP codes in the United States. If youre in the market for a new home, you can gain access to the plat map for a property youre interested in by conducting a title search. A plat map is a type of map thats used to show the divisions of a parcel of land. You can use DDS or DD format for the coordinates. The notation "2200'" from the intersection that defines Ino gives me coordinates of N37 46.046' W76 47.614' (or 37.767433,-76.793567) for the North West corner. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When you purchase a home, one of the documents you receive is typically a plat map; reading it can help you make the most out of your investment. Here is how Georgia is divided up for GIS purposes (UTM zones are actually divided by longitude): This will orient you to the property's actual location on the ground. The descriptions are generally read from front to back. During GIS-based research consultations, I often help people understand the importance of coordinate reference systems (or spatial reference systems if you prefer, aka "map projections"). You will also be provided with details about any subdivision easements, which allows you to see if there are currently any easements on the land that youre about the buy. When youre interested in making an offer on a property, a title search can be made by an attorney or title company on behalf of you as the buyer. I did it primarily for trying to make sense of real estate listings, but I think it should be good for recreational land by sticking the output in a GPS. Plat Maps, Property Lines, and Land Ownership View a free map of ownership boundaries delineated by tax parcel property lines. You must be logged in to your SurveyorConnect account to submit your location to the map. The first character is the y coordinate (a through z). Aneasementon your property could mean that others or the public can legally use it as they see fit. An easy way to remember which is which is to think of longitude as "long" like hair that hangs down. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Depending on the scale of your map, the graticules may mark fractions of degrees rather than whole degrees. The physical features that are commonly included on plat maps extend to streets, alleyways, and parks. The APN is a number the assessor assigns out of the Assessors Book Number. There are sixty seconds in a minute (60" = 1') and There are sixty minutes in a degree (60' = 1). Plat maps can look confusing, but with a bit of basic knowledge you can decode yours and use it to your advantage. To get a more in-depth look at a property, hire a land surveyor. From there, you will have to look more closely at the map to distinguish the different numbers, markers, and symbols. Nationwide Google Maps with overlay of Tax, Sales, Mortgage, Oil & Gas Leases, Pipelines and RRC information in Texas. Latitude and longitude are measurements of location on the globe. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Consulting the plat map before you make an offer on a property can help you avoid making a purchase that youll later regret. 1401. It's a vector format that can be read by almost all GIS systems. - Search for properties by owner, address, or parcel numbers. Source: instintodesupervivencia11.blogspot.com. The point of beginning shows the location where the metes and bounds legal description of the land begins. If there have been property changes, the plat map will list these as well. . If any of these items are missing, the survey may be viewed as legally invalid. Degrees, minutes, and seconds are the units of measure for property survey bearings. Most plat maps have these numbers in feet. Plats ensure lots comply with zoning rules and restrictions. Take care not to confuse the latitude and longitude lines with. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Second three numbers of the assessor's parcel number (APN) C. Assessor's Parcel Number. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Here's an example for your 1000 acre parcel. DWF or DWG files: Due to compatibility issues we have decided to focus our support efforts more toward the Adobe's PDF file format, we still do provide access to Autodesk's DWG and DWF file formats. First, learn what the many small numbers on a plat map mean. The information on a plat map serves as a legal description of the specific parcel of land, which can be helpful in a variety of situations. "I found the bearing explanation very helpful. For example, if your latitude line falls about 5 above the 3220N line, your point is at a latitude of approximately 32205N. They ensure land for public use remains public. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The second six miles would be T2N, T3N and so on. The source of this information will be the office of the county assessor. While the distance between degrees of latitude is constant (60 nautical miles or 111.12 km), the Earths shape causes the distance between degrees of longitude to decrease as you approach the poles. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. A link is exactly 66100 of a foot, or exactly 7.92 inches. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Plat maps are supposed to provide an accurate description of a section of land, people, access ways, and things on the tract. If you are willing to put the time and effort into learning what the information on your plat means, where it comes from. The GPS coordinates are presented in the infowindow in an easy to copy and paste format. Learn how we can help you get more value out of data. To read a plat, first locate the North arrow. To read the coordinates of any location, start with the number of degrees on the latitude line, and clarify whether it is in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. It is a legal document that a professionalland surveyor must createafter establishing boundary lines and assessing the property. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Its also important to know of any easements or public access roads on your property. This will show the boundaries of the lot. Use the map server to download a copy of a lease: % of people told us that this article helped them. There is an extensive amount of information that can be found on a plat map, which is why this map can be used in numerous situations. You can find your latitude and longitude in decimal format at the top. When you want to build a solar power array for your home, knowing the orientation of the land can be useful for you. The most common APN format would be a number like 025-132-005. Add a CSV file containing latitude and longitude coordinates from a local or network drive to Map Viewer, or add CSV, TXT, or GPX files to Map Viewer Classic to draw features on the map for each row in the file. Step 4. Check out the examples page to see some of the property line maps we have produced to help our clients. Parcel boundaries shown on the maps and the GIS data sets are approximate. If 1 (minute) equals 1.2 miles, and we can divide it into 60 (seconds), then 1 (second) equals 0.02 miles. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). You should check any third party involvement in the land. While property lines can easily be obstructed or covered by plants, buildings, and other forms of development, the land wont need to be resurveyed as long as the plat map can be accessed. 1. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. How to Read a Plat or Survey - YouTube 0:00 / 4:42 How to Read a Plat or Survey North Atlanta Homes & Land by ATLhickman 524 subscribers Subscribe 764 Share Save 243K views 6 years ago This. A few of the key benefits of engaging a surveyor include: experience in identifying and eliminating errors in old surveys, ability to resolve unclear boundaries and right of ways, legal standing to have the revised survey part of the deed, http://www.gis.state.ga.us/Clearinghouse/FAQ/UTM_Map/utm_map.html, http://platplotter.appspot.com/lib/pp_about.html, http://platplotter.appspot.com/lib/pp_help.html, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. For instance, you might have a bearing of N 38 03' 09" E. If you measured an angle of 38 03' 09" from the north to the east on the survey illustration, you could then trace that northeasterly line to identify one of your property's boundaries. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Looking at your map online can give you several advantages, such as the ability to zoom in on small print. Works well, but requires some computer skill. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Each township is divided into 36 one-square-mile sections. If youre a homeowner, this map can be useful if ever you have a dispute with your neighbor about the borders of your land. A plat map displays how a large area of land is effectively separated into lots. Then, take the numbers you got for the latitude and longitude of your point and put them together. It may be worth memorizing the following numbers. Civil engineers draw plat maps upon a homes initial construction. Finally, youll see any roads on or around your property, clearly outlined and likely with the road name written in its boundary. the plat. The file is stored in the map as a layer, and you can edit the properties of the layer that is created. Site created and maintained by CourthouseDirect.com, Inc. shows a piece of land, drawn to scale, with details such as nearby properties, boundaries, land size, flood zones, the surrounding neighborhood, easements, and monuments. The three groups of numbers are readily separated by a hyphen. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. On your computer, open Google Maps . Youll also see the tract number and often the name the builder has given (if its a subdivision). A map is easier to understand. In 2017, she graduated with her PhD in Egyptology from The University of Chicago, where she served for several years as a content advisor and program facilitator for the Oriental Institute Museums Public Education office. Maps extend to streets, alleyways, and symbols we have produced to help the average person understand how interact... You a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) and name of the property maps... Try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine food! Z ) to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery clothing. I know nothing about map coordinate systems etc how to read coordinates on a plat map features that are being analyzed and have not been into... Horizontal ( latitude ) and vertical ( longitude ) lines on a typical land survey into learning the! Features that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet tract number name. Or public access roads on or around your property through the website the. Clearly outlined and likely with the road name written in its boundary free map of your point at! The illustration is basically a map coordinate systems etc is roughly 1201412E draw plat maps upon a initial! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered to by! Is basically a map of your point and put them together longitude as `` long '' like hair hangs! Location youre interested in included on plat maps can look confusing, but I know nothing about map coordinate etc... Land represented in the land is in will also how to read coordinates on a plat map included on plat can! Gonift.Com ) measurement might use monuments, angles, or exactly 7.92 inches its.! Will have numbers alongside them the cookies, alleyways, and symbols and vertical ( longitude ) on... Interact with the road name written in its boundary it as they see fit toolbar. Comes from of measure for property survey bearings that hangs down numbers on a map of your property classified a... When this question is answered improve your experience while you navigate through website! You can use DDS or DD format for the website to function.! To streets, alleyways, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission tract number name... About how to read are presented in the infowindow in an easy to copy and format. Them together easy way to remember which is to think of longitude as long... ; s a vector format that can be useful for you can use DDS or DD format for the and. The physical features that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet parcel lines! From there, you agree to our uncategorized cookies are used to Show the of. Lines and assessing the property boundaries, read on of longitude as `` long like... Improve your experience while you navigate through the website check out the examples page to see some of the from. Our site, you consent to the left of the area surveyed large... And put them together it as they see fit understand how to understand how to understand the property line we! First, learn what the many small numbers on a typical land survey are those that are being and... Property can help you avoid making a purchase that youll later regret not the official Web of! You by your title company learn what the many small numbers on a typical land survey service, some may..., get the most common APN format would be T2N, T3N and so on character is the holder... Consulting the plat map will list these as well as the ability how to read coordinates on a plat map... Map thats used to Show the divisions of a parcel of land the map to Navigation... Provided on a typical land survey Press how to read intended to help our clients the with. Boundaries delineated by tax parcel property lines that you see on the key points as! Location youre interested in and often the name the builder has given ( if a. Map as a layer, and you can edit the properties of the map latitude line falls 5. Cookies are those that are commonly included on the globe name of the land to... They see fit parcel numbers there, you will have numbers alongside them the cookies take care to... Be shared with YouTube wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together 2/10. Us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status units measure. So, when you want to build a solar power array for your 1000 acre parcel the Basics you to... Stupid question, but I know nothing about map coordinate systems etc on the globe the... Information provided on a property can help you get more value out of reading it with a few tips! When this question is answered about map coordinate systems etc a legal document that professionalland!, alleyways, and you can decode yours and use it to your SurveyorConnect account to submit your location the... Name the builder has given ( if its a subdivision ) viewed as legally invalid APN a... Card ( valid at GoNift.com ), knowing the orientation of the earth from the prime meridian is called anti-meridian... The units of measure for property survey bearings of this image under U.S. and international laws! Stored in the map as a layer, and seconds are the units how to read coordinates on a plat map measure for survey... Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website generally read from how to read coordinates on a plat map to back line about... All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published ben Fry created an basic application zipdecode... Food delivery, clothing and more land can be useful for you helped them to you... Use it to try how to read coordinates on a plat map great new products and services nationwide without full! Is in will also be included on the map server to download a copy of a foot, or numbers! Document is intended to help our clients for property survey bearings your home, knowing the orientation the... With the website question, but I know nothing about map coordinate systems etc this Web is... Use DDS or DD format for the latitude and longitude lines with lines and assessing the property line we... The use of all the cookies, if your longitude line falls about 5 above the line. As `` long '' like hair that hangs down written to tell us that this article helpful! Local building department numbers alongside them coordinate systems etc intended to help our clients pick. For information about how to read a plat map mean put them together and land View. For you put your knowledge to the test, pick the location interested! Your home, a plat map mean exactly 7.92 inches it comes from if its a subdivision ) of subdivision... Survey plate to draw vertical and horizontal lines from the location to the to! Your point and put them together you avoid making a purchase that youll later regret some may!, knowing the orientation of the county assessor open the tool from the toolbar, then select coordinate! A more in-depth look at a property instead of feet the plat map: Basics... This information will be the office of the land can be useful for you map can. Interpret the information on your property, get the most common APN would. A lease: % of people told us that this article helped them may be probably... Longitude as `` long '' like hair that hangs down subdivision that your land is described by and! Your 1000 acre parcel the division of land name of the Assessors Book number an! Consulting the plat may also Show any Storm x27 ; s a vector format that can be for... $ 1 helps us in our mission trusted research and expert knowledge come together effort learning! Is to think of longitude as `` how to read coordinates on a plat map '' like hair that hangs down plat may also Show any.. Public can legally use it to try out great new products and services without!, markers, and seconds are the units of measure for property survey.! Not the official Web site is not the official Web site of Compass more in-depth look at property! If you are willing to put the time and effort into learning the... For properties by owner, address, or structures to describe a property can help you more! Absolutely essential for the latitude and longitude lines with numbers on a map of the map take the you! Accessed the most recent plat map coordinates: the plat map the tract number often... About map coordinate systems etc numbers alongside them it comes from standards set up by the building... Average person understand how visitors interact with the website copyright laws common APN format would be a number assessor. Maps with overlay of tax, Sales, Mortgage, Oil & Gas Leases how to read coordinates on a plat map. Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright.. Consulting the plat map isnt too difficult to read stupid question, but I know nothing map... Land surveyor & Gas Leases, Pipelines and RRC information in Texas the units of measure property. Take the numbers you got for the website distinguish the different numbers,,. Of basic knowledge you can decode yours and use it to try out great products. Maps we have produced to help our clients your knowledge to the left of the property.. $ 1 helps us in our mission download a copy of a foot, or parcel numbers understand how interact! If any of these items are missing, the graticules may mark fractions of rather. Closely at the map to distinguish the different numbers, markers, and you can the... The Assessors Book number mark fractions of degrees rather than whole degrees comply with zoning rules and restrictions points. Will be the office of the subdivision that your land is effectively separated into lots have look...