Understanding Your Survey and How to Read Your Plat
- amosgls
- Sep 3
- 2 min read
At Glaspy Land Surveying, one of the most common questions we hear after delivering a survey is: “How do I read my plat?”
We know the map you receive can look technical at first glance—but once you understand the key elements, it becomes a powerful tool for protecting your property rights and making informed decisions.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand your survey and how to read your plat.
What is a Plat?
A plat is the official map created from your land survey. It shows your property boundaries, measurements, and important details about the land. The plat is sealed by a licensed surveyor, making it a legal document that can be used for closings, permits, or resolving disputes.
Key Elements of Your Plat
Property Lines and Corners
Shown as the bold lines outlining your parcel.
Corners are often marked with pins, stakes, or monuments in the field.
Distances and directions (called bearings) are written along the lines, showing the exact dimensions of your lot.
Acreage and Lot Dimensions
The total area of your property (in square feet or acres).
Each side of the boundary is measured and labeled.
Easements and Rights-of-Way
Strips of land that allow others limited use of your property, such as for utilities, driveways, or access roads.
These are usually shaded, dashed, or labeled on the plat.
Structures and Improvements
Buildings, fences, driveways, wells, or other permanent features may be shown if part of your survey type (e.g., ALTA, topographic, or construction survey).
Topographic Features (when included)
Natural features like slopes, creeks, or tree lines.
Often required for site planning or development.
Surveyor’s Seal and Certification
The plat will include the name and seal of the professional land surveyor who completed it, confirming its accuracy and validity.
How to Use Your Plat
Know Your Boundaries: Use your plat to understand exactly where your property begins and ends. If you requested stakes or pins, you can see the locations on the map and in the field.
Check for Easements: Before building, fencing, or landscaping, confirm if easements cross your land.
Support Real Estate Transactions: A current plat can streamline closings, especially if lenders or attorneys request one.
Protect Against Disputes: If questions arise about property lines with neighbors, your plat provides clear documentation.
Recording Your Plat (Optional)
If you’d like to make your survey part of the public record, Glaspy can file it with the county Register of Deeds. Recording helps protect your property documentation and may be required in cases like subdivisions.
Recording Fee: $300 (set by the county).
Process: We handle the filing for you once your survey is complete.
For more detailed information about when to record a plat, visit our blog post The Essential Guide to Recording Land Surveys: Why and When It Matters
Final Thoughts
Your plat is more than just a map—it’s the official story of your property’s boundaries, rights, and features. At Glaspy Land Surveying, we not only provide accurate surveys, we also make sure our clients understand what they’re looking at.
Still have questions about your survey? Contact us anytime at 828-974-1811. Our team is here to walk you through your plat so you feel confident about your land.
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