Plat Law and Legal Definition
A plat refers to a map drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. It describes the piece of land, its boundaries, lots, roads, and easements. A plat also means a small piece of land or plot.
The following is an example of a state law (Texas) on Plat:
Tex. Local Gov't Code § 212.004 . Plat Required
(a) The owner of a tract of land located within the limits or in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality who divides the tract in two or more parts to lay out a subdivision of the tract, including an addition to a municipality, to lay out suburban, building, or other lots, or to lay out streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts of the tract intended to be dedicated to public use or for the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to the streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts must have a plat of the subdivision prepared. A division of a tract under this subsection includes a division regardless of whether it is made by using a metes and bounds description in a deed of conveyance or in a contract for a deed, by using a contract of sale or other executory contract to convey, or by using any other method. A division of land under this subsection does not include a division of land into parts greater than five acres, where each part has access and no public improvement is being dedicated.
(b) To be recorded, the plat must:
(1) describe the subdivision by metes and bounds;
(2) locate the subdivision with respect to a corner of the survey or tract or an original corner of the original survey of which it is a part; and
(3) state the dimensions of the subdivision and of each street, alley, square, park, or other part of the tract intended to be dedicated to public use or for the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to the street, alley, square, park, or other part.
(c) The owner or proprietor of the tract or the owner's or proprietor's agent must acknowledge the plat in the manner required for the acknowledgment of deeds.
(d) The plat must be filed and recorded with the county clerk of the county in which the tract is located.
(e) The plat is subject to the filing and recording provisions of Section 12.002, Property Code.
