How to Read a Plat Map

A plat map (also called an assessor's map) is a diagram showing how land is divided into individual lots within a subdivision or area. Real estate agents, title officers, and property owners use plat maps to identify property boundaries, lot dimensions, easements, and tract information. Team Goeglein at Fidelity National Title provides plat maps as part of the complimentary property profile service for licensed agents across the South Bay.

Key elements of a plat map include: the Assessor's Book Number, which groups properties into geographic areas; the Assessor's Page Number, which identifies the specific page within that book; Lot Lines shown as solid lines indicating the legal boundaries of each parcel; and Tax Parcel Lines shown as dotted lines indicating how the assessor has divided the land for tax purposes. Tie Lines may indicate that two or more record lots are assessed as one assessor's parcel.

Lot dimensions are shown in approximate feet along each boundary line. Ditto marks indicate that lot dimensions are equal to the adjoining lot. Each subdivision has a Recorded Tract Number that references the original subdivision map filed with the county. Abbreviated Tract Map filing references help locate the original recorded map for detailed boundary information.

Understanding plat maps is particularly important in the South Bay, where properties in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach may have unique lot configurations, shared easements, or boundary irregularities that affect title and construction. Matt Goeglein and Xavier de la Piedra IV at Fidelity National Title can walk you through any plat map and explain how it affects your transaction.