Property Plats and How to Obtain Yours

Published: December 3rd, 2020 by Management

What is a property plat?

A plat map, also known as a “plat” or “property plat”, is used to show how a tract of surveyed land is divided into lots within a county or municipality. The plat map is drawn to scale and records the land size, boundary locations, nearby streets, and any easements or rights of way. When you purchase a home or property, you will receive a plat map.

Why do I need a plat map?

It is important to locate your property plat because it contains the property divisions to consult when selling or transferring ownership of a property. In addition, it can be useful if there are any questions regarding access to city sewer and water supplies and to double-check other land documents for accuracy. Lastly, if you have a home improvement project or simply need to know where your property line and easements are, you need a plat map. If you decide to make any non-routine exterior changes to your lot, you will need to include a copy of your plat when you submit a design review application (DRA) to the Architectural Design Trust (ADT) committee.

If I cannot locate my plat, how can I obtain another copy?

If you are unsure of where your property plat is, double-check your settlement documents first. If you still cannot locate your plat, there are a few ways you can obtain another copy.

(1) Use PLATS.NET to obtain a copy of your plat

Subdivision record plats can be printed or downloaded from this online repository maintained by the Maryland State Archives.

If you do not know your property plat number, you will need to obtain this first. (your plat number is a 5 digit number).
To find your plat number, you can use the City of Rockville Consolidated Parcel Information map (https://www.rockvillemd.gov/683/City-Maps). Launch the map tool and enter your street number and name and click search. Click on your lot and click through the information window to page 2, where you will see information about the lot listed.
Within that window, scroll down until you see “SDAT Link” and click “More info”. This will take you to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Located “Plat No:” and this is where you will find your plat number. Copy this number.
Next, go to the Maryland Plat Archives website for Montgomery County (https://plats.msa.maryland.gov/pages/plats.aspx?cid=MO) and use the “basic search” feature to locate the online copy of your plat. Paste your plat number in the corresponding form and click “search”
Your search results will provide the “Accession Number” for your plat – click this link to open the PDF copy. *the accession number should start with the letters “MSA”.
Once you have opened the PDF, you can save this file to your computer.

(2) Contact the Land Records Department, County Clerk’s Office, Rockville

(3) Info Counter, Montgomery County Planning Department, Silver Spring

Copies of subdivision record plats can be purchased at the M-NCPPC headquarters building (map and directions).

(4) Contact the surveyor/land planner for your lot.

Many of the lots in the community were surveyed by Soltesz.