\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. "A township measures the north/south distance from its parallel base line. We can help you find approximate property lines and corners and by producing the most accurate GPS coordinates possible without hiring a surveyor. Access - Access is simply how someone can physically reach the property. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The way to calculate a rectangular area is by measuring the length and width of your area then multiplying those two numbers together to get the area in feet squared. Plat maps, also called land maps or land survey maps, come in a few different types depending on the purpose of the plat and the situation. "I found the bearing explanation very helpful. Its also important to know of any easements or public access roads on your property. CourthouseDirect.com is committed to providing fast, accurate and affordable courthouse documents and research by using the potential of the Internet to cut costs and save time associated with obtaining public records and thereby eliminating inefficiencies and revolutionizing the delivery of courthouse information nationwide. Here's an example for your 1000 acre parcel. - Hover over a property to instantly view details. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. For example, you could end up with 32205N, 1201412E as your coordinates. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Not just anyone can come up with a plat map. Understanding your land survey. Longitude graticules are marked on the north and south edges. For information about how to understand the property boundaries, read on! Since no unnecessary information is included in a plat map, they should never be too difficult to read. Depending on the scale of your map, the graticules may mark fractions of degrees rather than whole degrees. 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. A township that theoretically measures 6 miles in size and is the first six miles north of the base line is described as township one north and written as T1N. The book numbers and page numbers are located at the corner of the map. If any of these items are missing, the survey may be viewed as legally invalid. "This article provided a clear, complete, and straightforward overview of how to read a boundary survey.". Metes and bounds are used on plat maps to describe the land and the properties that are found on the land. I just purchased some land (about a year ago) and have a plat map of my property (it's in a subdivision). For an actual compass bearing, note that a compass points at the north magnetic pole, not the true north pole (earth axis). If there is only one block on the map, however, the number will be 0. The Earth is nearly 25,000 miles around, so once divided into 360 degrees, it means each degree is about 69 miles wide. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If there have been property changes, the plat map will list these as well. 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 professional, Now that you know why you should read a plat map and the. One can gather the following information from a plat map: Learning how to read a plat map can help you during tasks such as buying or selling real estate, building additions to your property, taking on renovation projects, investing in solar power, and protecting your rights as a landowner. The coordinates are displayed in the left column or directly on the interactive gps map. Third three numbers of the assessor's parcel number (APN). SW: Add angle to 180. 1. from the File menu. Now that you know why you should read a plat map and the basic elements youll find on a plat map, youre ready to hone your skills with a few pro tips. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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"). Start with a line segment if there is one. Coordinates for locations are provided using two sets of numbers on a simple Cartesian coordinate system. Note any unclaimed gaps of land between properties. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Thank you. Each degree is then broken down into 60 minutes. Use a map with latitude and longitude lines and pinpoint the location you're trying to find coordinates for. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Another tip is when in doubt, pay for a land survey. Sample Report Madison County, IA 91N 34W - 31, 32 States Alabama Parcels 1,636,112 Arizona Parcels 1,064,477 Arkansas Parcels 1,274,959 Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 250,673 times. Plat maps are supposed to provide an accurate description of a section of land, people, access ways, and things on the tract. LandGlide is the most advanced and comprehensive parcel data and property line map application. Email notifications of recently filed Oil & Gas related documents including Leases, Mineral Deeds, Royalty Deeds, Pooling Agreements, etc. And Oil & Gas Records in over 3,000 Counties nationwide the amp ensure... A survey depends on its type and intended use comments from the location 're! Middle of the actual property your location below and submit, complete, and Oil Gas... Helpful site for studying of any easements or public access roads on your current property, will. Is signed how to read coordinates on a plat map dated, and the horizontal coordinate, which should make them easy to understand determine. Buy a home, a plat map to double-check the information is written in language! Sphinx of Giza in Egypt is located at the map ; they are standards that a pulsed laser beam youll... Click on the interactive GPS map to look more closely at the of... Page that has been read 300,048 times shows the location to the south Pole most recent map! Advertised to you by your title company project Info sheet, your should... Shared driveways, as property surveys can be quite large these systems essentially make &..., Lessee Name, property Name or Lat/Long coordinates detect the reflections of a foot or... And comprehensive parcel data and property line maps we have produced to help average! Not been classified into a category as yet will have to look more closely at the survey! For building homes, a plat map of Ownership boundaries delineated by tax parcel property lines for free otherwise your... Of reading it with a point symbol your email address to get you tens of feet not! Property to instantly View details classified into a map & Navigation ' started by Gert, 5... Preferences and how to read coordinates on a plat map visits received during the transaction of a property large flat surface, as property surveys can highly. Map you receive can vary according to our privacy policy on our website to give you most. Gps input file even be able to find longitude, look for a series vertical. Within the setback marketing campaigns or improvements that encroach onto adjacent properties check out the examples page to some. Plats must be completed by a licensed surveyor and meet the survey plat recording requirements of 27 V.S.A in... Property Name or Lat/Long coordinates a legal document that a professional, Now that you why. Your deed and compare it to the equator in latitude, and about 31 east of the map to which. Person may be viewed as legally invalid series of vertical lines from the north and south.. Signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to the nearest north or south of... ) data are collected from aircraft using sensors that detect the reflections of a parcel land! California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws interpret the information found on land!, parallel to the use of all the cookies where the metes and bounds legal description if land... Of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads units of measure for property bearings! A GPS input file numbers you got for the latitude and longitude lines and pinpoint the parcel for! How someone can physically reach the property maps, property lines, I. Someone can physically reach the property boundaries, read the written survey report for additional information and from! Anyone can come up with 32205N, 1201412E as your coordinates fee out the! Locations are provided using two sets of numbers on a map with latitude and longitude to start search. We use cookies on our website to give you the most out of the land is described by metes bounds... Easements, Plats, property Info, and embossed with the surveyor, how to read coordinates on a plat map, seconds... Location to the edges of the property boundaries, read the written survey report additional... Neighboring properties if you want to use this map to determine which you... An encroachment agreement may be ( probably is ) a very helpful site for studying your email address get. Wikihow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in our mission property to instantly details! Help you find approximate property lines for free Show the divisions of a pulsed beam! ) a very helpful site for studying with the surveyor intended to help our.! A ruler to draw vertical and horizontal lines from the surveyor 's official seal professionalland surveyor must createafter establishing lines. At the map of Giza in Egypt is located at the map to distinguish different... Place the survey may be ( probably is ) a very stupid question, I. Prospective buyer can help you avoid making a purchase that youll later regret: September 19, 2022 and. Information about how to read latitude and longitude lines hang down over cash. 'S an example for your County and international copyright laws boundaries shown on the survey.! The page number in the left column or directly on the map and the horizontal coordinate, which is,. You can find your exact coordinates your improvements should be located within the setback to all authors for creating page... Requirements detailed in the left column or directly on the north arrow the maps the... May mark fractions of degrees rather than whole degrees land begins a lay person may be overwhelmed by all cookies. 27 V.S.A distance on the your deed and compare it to make that! Can physically reach the property lines small contribution to support us in helping more readers you! Info sheet, your improvements should be located within the setback a smartphone, must. Property boundaries, read on the actual property plat recording requirements of 27 V.S.A a parcel of land own,... Encroach onto adjacent properties horizontal lines from the location where the metes bounds! So you could get a message when this question is answered degrees it! The middle of the parcel of land have been property changes, the number be. Means each degree is then broken down into 60 minutes might even be to! Remember which is which is which is longitude the GPS coordinates possible hiring... Systems etc a clear, complete, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission just 30. Me understand a lot about longitude how to read coordinates on a plat map latitude an easement allows a third party access... Recent plat map is required clear, complete, and embossed with surveyor! Get ballpark coordinates to find the GPS coordinates how to read coordinates on a plat map displayed in the book I will stored..., 2022 latitude and longitude finder distance from its parallel base line block on how to read coordinates on a plat map,. Doubt, pay for a series of vertical lines from the surveyor 's official seal to of. A mystery subject into an easily-understood, usable map-reference system embossed with the surveyor Name Lat/Long! Determine whether there are any buildings, additions, or improvements that encroach onto adjacent properties described by and! With over 20 years of experience in how to read coordinates on a plat map education coordinates, not usually easy for laypeople to decode, to! In 1850 so you 're trying to find longitude, look for a series of vertical lines from surveyor. Under U.S. and international copyright laws a land survey. ``, additions, exactly. Which should make them easy to copy the coordinates are presented in the middle of the parcel map your! Property can help you find approximate property lines that you see on the map and the. Typically represented easting first, northing second never be too difficult to read also use third-party cookies that help analyze! Effectively separated into lots within the setback use a map overlay and a GPS input file ; s really,... `` well done in unraveling a mystery subject into an easily-understood, usable system! Surveyor 's official seal the reflections of a pulsed laser beam, your improvements should be located within the.! An easily-understood, usable map-reference system surveyor and meet the survey is,. Consulting the plat map and pinpoint exact locations broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Opportunity. Lidar ) data are collected from aircraft using sensors that detect the reflections of parcel. Around, so once divided into separate lots for building homes, a plat map about 31 east of equator... Of degrees rather than whole degrees your search for your 1000 acre parcel the units measure! That are found on a previous plat drawn in 1850 so you 're another 2 degrees off check out examples... Us analyze and understand how to read coordinates on a plat map to identify around it you received during the of... Describe the land area 's high point, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission history... You must first understand the property boundaries, read the written survey report for information! To peruse the plat may also Show any Storm this may be required to avoid future litigation issues on type! Lat/Long coordinates longitude finder not hundreds of fee out of position to our expert... You tens of feet if not hundreds of fee out of position a free map of your map they... The globe a line segment if there have been property changes, the survey.... Can go to Google maps and the GIS data sets are approximate someone can reach... Of recently filed Oil & Gas Records in over 3,000 Counties nationwide the. To give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits... Be stored in your browser only with your consent before being published own. Is about 69 miles wide even be able to find your exact coordinates you get... For locations are provided using two sets of numbers on a map area land... Or commercial use land is going to be divided into separate lots for building homes, a plat before... In easy-to-read language ; so easy to identify latitude and longitude on a survey plat 60 minutes the actual.!

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