Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Real Estate Preliminary Plat

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

REAL ESTATE PRELIMINARY PLAT

Project Identification

Legal Description

Plat Data and Survey

Scale:    North Arrow Orientation:

Date of Field Survey:    Source of Bearings:

Proposed Improvements, Easements and Dedications

Proposed Street Names:

Lot and Open Space Summary

Environmental and Compliance Disclosures

Is any portion of the property within a designated floodplain?   

Are wetlands or streams present on site?   

Are there known archaeological or historically significant resources?   

Financial Security and Recording

Performance Security / Bond Amount: $    Escrow/Inspection Fee: $

Owner's Dedication and Acknowledgment

Owner Name:    Owner Address:

The undersigned Owner does hereby certify that the land described herein and shown on this Preliminary Plat is owned by the Owner and does hereby dedicate to public use those streets, rights-of-way, utility easements, and other lands shown and designated for such purposes on this Plat, subject to acceptance by the appropriate governmental authority and subject to the conditions and reservations contained herein.

Owner acknowledgement: I certify under penalty of perjury that I am the owner or authorized representative of the owner of the property described on this Plat.

Surveyor's Certificate

I, , a licensed land surveyor, do hereby certify that this Preliminary Plat represents a survey made under my direct supervision, that monuments are set or shown as indicated, and that the plat conforms to applicable surveying standards and the requirements of the jurisdiction.

Surveyor License No.:    Firm:    Date:

Approval, Conditions, and Recording

Approval is provisional and conditioned upon completion of required improvements, receipt of bonds or securities as required, and compliance with conditions placed by the approving authority. Approval of this Preliminary Plat does not constitute acceptance for maintenance of public improvements unless expressly adopted by the governing body.

Approval Date:    Conditions of Approval (summary):

This Preliminary Plat shall expire if final plat procedures and required conditions are not met and timely recorded within days of the approval date, unless an extension is granted in writing by the approving authority.

General Provisions

Governing Law: This plat, dedication, and any agreements associated with it shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the property is located. Governing jurisdiction:

Entire Agreement: This document and the exhibits and conditions incorporated by reference constitute the entire understanding between the Owner and the Approving Authority regarding the Preliminary Plat and shall not be modified except in writing signed by the Owner and the Approving Authority.

Remedies and Default: Failure of the Owner to comply with the conditions of approval or to provide required securities shall entitle the Approving Authority to withhold final plat approval, require remediation, or pursue other remedies as authorized by ordinance and law.

Attachments

The following items are submitted with this Preliminary Plat: Vicinity map, full-size plat sheets, grading and drainage plan, traffic study (if required), utility plans, and any additional exhibits required by the jurisdiction. List attachments:

Owner / Developer (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Licensed Surveyor (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Real Estate Preliminary Plat Is and Why It Matters

A Real Estate Preliminary Plat is a drafted map and supporting documentation that shows a proposed subdivision or land development layout for review by local planning and zoning authorities. It typically includes lot lines, street layouts, utility placements, easements, general grading and stormwater concepts, and a legal description of the parent parcel. The preliminary plat is conceptual — it identifies required infrastructure, design constraints, and regulatory compliance items so agencies and stakeholders can comment before a final plat is prepared and recorded.

How a Preliminary Plat Reduces Risk and Speeds Approvals

A properly prepared preliminary plat clarifies development intent for reviewers, reveals site constraints early, and outlines necessary public improvements. It helps secure conditional approvals, estimate infrastructure costs, and coordinate utility and right-of-way requirements to avoid costly redesigns later.

How a Preliminary Plat Reduces Risk and Speeds Approvals

Who Typically Prepares and Reviews a Preliminary Plat

Collaboration among these parties during preliminary review reduces conditions on final approval and limits rework at the recordation stage.

  • Developers and landowners — submit the plat, coordinate financing, and approve design changes during review.
  • Licensed surveyors and civil engineers — prepare map geometry, topography, grading, and utility plans for compliance.
  • Local planning departments and utility providers — review for zoning, access, sewer, water, and public improvements.

Essential Elements to Include on a Professional Preliminary Plat

A complete preliminary plat presents clear, verifiable data so reviewers can evaluate compliance. Include graphical and written elements that allow agencies to review circulation, utilities, lot yield, and environmental constraints without needing additional surveys.

Title Block

Project name, owner, contact, project address, map scale, north arrow, and sheet index for multi-sheet submittals.

Existing Conditions

Topography, trees, floodplain limits, wetlands, and any physical constraints that affect layout and permitting.

Proposed Lots

Lot lines, dimensions, bearings, minimum lot sizes, unit counts, and block/lot numbering consistent with local code.

Streets & Access

Proposed street centerlines, right-of-way widths, curb returns, access points, and general pavement section notes.

Utilities & Easements

Locations of proposed water, sewer, storm lines, and easement corridors with widths and maintenance notes.

Notes & Legend

Legend for symbols, applicable zoning, approval conditions, phasing notes, and a general notes block with required certifications.

Required Identifying Data Elements

Project Name: Formal project title
Parcel ID: County assessor parcel number
Surveyor Seal: Licensed surveyor stamp and signature
Scale & Datum: Planimetric scale and vertical datum
Bearings/Distances: Survey control measurements
Proposed Lot Count: Total lots/units proposed

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Submitting a Preliminary Plat

Follow these core steps to prepare, submit, and advance a preliminary plat through local review. Each step includes common deliverables and typical reviewer expectations.

  • 01
    1. Pre-application: Meet with planning staff to confirm submittal requirements and scope.
  • 02
    2. Prepare Plat: Produce base map, proposed lot layout, and supporting reports.
  • 03
    3. Submit & Notice: File digital and hard copies as required; provide required public notices.
  • 04
    4. Revise & Resubmit: Address review comments, update plat, and secure conditional approvals.

Configuring a Digital Workflow for Online Plat Submittal

When submitting digitally, configure file types, signatures, and reviewer routing to match municipal portal expectations and statutory requirements.

Field Configuration
File Format PDF/A for plans; original CAD for reviewer use
Field Automation Auto-populate project name and APN across pages
Signer Order Owner → Surveyor → Municipal reviewer
Authentication Email plus optional SMS or ID verification for key signers

Where to File and How the Submission Flows

Preliminary plats typically traverse municipal or county planning systems, then move to utility and public works review before a planning commission hearing and conditional approval.

  • Prepare Package: Assemble plat, reports, applications, and review fees.
  • Upload to Portal: Submit digital files to the jurisdictional planning portal or clerk's office.
  • Agency Review: County, utilities, and public works provide comments and conditions.
  • Public Hearing: Planning commission conducts hearing and issues conditional approval.

Technical Requirements for Electronic Submission and Signing

Align e-signature and e-record submission methods with local recording office rules; verify whether electronic notarization or recorded Mylar plats are required.

  • File Types: PDF/A, DOCX, CAD (DWG) accepted by some reviewers
  • Integrations: Portal integrations commonly include GIS and document management systems
  • Security: Require TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest

Typical Review Deadlines and Processing Expectations

Timelines vary by jurisdiction and project complexity. Use these common timeframes to set internal milestones and coordinate consultants.

Pre-application Meeting:

Occur 2–4 weeks before formal submission

Initial Review Period:

30–90 days typical depending on agency workload

Public Notice Window:

Notice may require 10–30 days prior to hearing

Planning Commission Hearing:

Scheduled per calendar; may require multiple hearings

Final Plat Submission:

Submit within conditional approval timeframe set by jurisdiction

Key Milestones from Concept to Recorded Plat

Track milestone approvals and submittals sequentially to maintain schedule and avoid permit lapses.

01

Concept & Pre-application

Early staff feedback and scope alignment prior to formal submittal.

02

Preliminary Plat Filing

Official submission and initial completeness check by agency staff.

03

Conditional Approval

Planning commission issues conditions that must be met for final plat.

04

Final Plat Recordation

Record final plat after conditions satisfied and bonds/agreements executed.

Common Mistakes That Delay Preliminary Plat Approval

  • Omitting existing easements or encumbrances that affect buildable area, causing additional survey requests and review delays.
  • Submitting inconsistent legal descriptions or parcel identifiers that fail title or recorder verification and require resubmission.
  • Failing to include required utility capacity or stormwater plans, which prompts conditional approvals reliant on engineering revisions.
  • Using incorrect scale or missing surveyor seal and certification, which can render the plat noncompliant with recording standards.

Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect Preliminary Plat

Application Denial: May require full re-submittal and additional fees
Delays: Extended project timeline and increased carrying costs
Resubmission Fees: Local review fees for repeated submittals
Bonding Requirements: Higher bonds or performance guarantees
Legal Challenges: Neighbor or municipal litigation risks
Title Issues: Recording errors can complicate future conveyances

Real-World Examples: How Practitioners Use Preliminary Plats

These short cases illustrate practical outcomes when preliminary plats are prepared and processed efficiently.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

  • Online submittals reduced site visits by half.
  • Processing digitally allowed Martin Properties to coordinate the planner, surveyor, and civil engineer in parallel, shortening time-to-conditional approval.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

  • Streamlined signatures and file sharing.
  • Optica used a consolidated digital package to collect owner approvals and engineer seals, which reduced back-and-forth and eliminated courier delays.

How eSignature Vendors Compare for Preliminary Plat Workflows

Comparing common vendor features and starting prices can help choose an eSignature provider for submittal, signing, and document management.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial Free trial available Free trial available Free trial available Free trial available
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Preliminary Plats

Answers to common questions about preparing, submitting, and validating a Real Estate Preliminary Plat in U.S. jurisdictions.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users