Can a Unit Plan be signed electronically?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes, electronic signatures are legally valid for most real estate documents when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are present. Confirm state-specific recording office policies about electronic notarization and original wet-ink requirements before relying solely on e-signatures.

Is remote online notarization (RON) acceptable?

Many states permit RON with identity-proofing and audio-video recording requirements. Confirm the county recorder accepts RON acknowledgements and ensure retention of the required notarial records as specified by the state notary commission.

What causes a recorder to reject a Unit Plan?

Common causes include incomplete legal descriptions, missing or improper notary acknowledgments, unsigned signature blocks, omitted exhibits such as plats, or nonconforming document margins and formatting required by the county recorder.

How do I correct an error after recording?

Minor errors often require a corrective instrument or affidavit signed and recorded to amend the original. Material changes may require counsel and re-recording. Consult local recorder rules and consider title company involvement to preserve priority.

Who must sign the Unit Plan?

Authorized owners, the declarant (if applicable), and any required witnesses or notaries must sign. Lender signatures or acknowledgments may be required by financing documents. Verify signer authority and corporate resolutions for entities.

How long should I retain executed Unit Plans?

Retain originals for the life of the property interest and at least three years beyond tax or title-related statutory periods; follow industry-specific rules (IRS, HIPAA) and state variations for longer retention.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Unit Plan

Real Estate Unit Plan

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

REAL ESTATE UNIT PLAN

This Real Estate Unit Plan (the Plan) sets forth the division of the Property into individually owned units and common elements for the purposes of separate ownership, allocation of common expense liabilities, and voting rights. The Plan is prepared by the Preparer and submitted by the Owner/Declarant for recordation and administration in accordance with applicable land use and condominium statutes and local recording requirements.

Owner / Declarant

Owner / Declarant Name Owner / Declarant Mailing Address Contact Phone / Email

Property Identification

Property Street Address

Parcel / APN Number: County:

Legal Description

Plan Preparation

Prepared By: License/Registration No.:

Date of Plan Preparation:

Unit Schedule

The following table sets forth each unit number, type, private area, assigned parking/storage, and percentage interest in the common elements and common expense liability. Entries below constitute the official allocation for assessments and voting.

Unit 1

Unit No.: Type: Area (sq ft): Parking Assigned: Storage: Percent Interest:

Unit 2

Unit No.: Type: Area (sq ft): Parking Assigned: Storage: Percent Interest:

Unit 3

Unit No.: Type: Area (sq ft): Parking Assigned: Storage: Percent Interest:

If additional units exist, attach a schedule with identical fields and reference as Attachment A. The percent interest allocations set forth above shall be used for assessment apportionment, voting weight, and distribution of proceeds as provided in this Plan and applicable law.

Common Elements and Exclusive Use Areas

The following are designated as common elements, limited common elements, and exclusive use areas. Limited common elements are appurtenant to the units specified and may not be reassigned except as provided herein.

Designated Common Elements (brief description) Limited / Exclusive Use Areas (assignments)

Easements, Rights and Restrictions

All easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, and restrictions of record affecting the Property shall continue to burden the affected units and common elements unless expressly released or modified. The following summarizes material encumbrances or restrictions affecting the Property.

Allocation of Expenses, Voting, and Assessments

Common expenses, reserve contributions, and voting rights shall be allocated among units in accordance with the percentage interests set forth in this Plan unless otherwise provided by recorded amendment. The Owners' Association, when formed, shall adopt a budget and collection procedures consistent with this allocation.

Method of Allocation (describe)

Maintenance, Repair, and Insurance

Responsibilities for maintenance, repair and insurance shall be allocated between the Owners and the Owners' Association as follows. The Association shall maintain insurance on common elements and may require owners to maintain casualty and liability insurance for individual units and improvements.

Maintenance Allocation (describe)

Alterations, Leasing and Use Restrictions

Owners shall not make structural alterations affecting common elements or limited common elements without prior written approval by the Association or other approving authority. Leasing, subletting, and occupancy rules may be adopted by the Association consistent with this Plan.

Use Restrictions (summarize key restrictions)

Disclosures

The Owner/Declarant discloses the following known conditions regarding the Property. Check the applicable boxes and provide explanation where required.

Known lead-based paint or lead hazards
Located in designated flood zone or subject to periodic inundation
Prior structural damage or material repairs performed

If any box above is checked, provide details

Default, Remedies, and Enforcement

In the event of a breach of this Plan or obligations arising hereunder, the non-breaching party or the Association shall have all remedies available at law or in equity, including injunctive relief, recovery of costs and attorneys' fees where permitted, and foreclosure or lien remedies for unpaid assessments as provided by law.

Recording and Amendment

This Plan is intended for recordation in the official county records. The Owner/Declarant may record amendments to this Plan to correct errors or reflect approved changes, subject to any statutory requirements for consent, notice, or approval specified by law and as further provided in this Plan.

Recording Reference / Map Sheet

Governing Law and Integration

This Plan, together with any recorded declarations and attachments, constitutes the entire integrated plan governing the division and use of the Property. It shall be governed by the laws applicable to the jurisdiction in which the Property is located.

Owner / Declarant Certification

The undersigned Owner/Declarant certifies under penalty of perjury that the information contained in this Plan is true and correct to the best of the Owner's knowledge, that the Owner is authorized to submit this Plan for recordation, and that any exhibits or attachments referenced herein are incorporated.

Owner / Declarant Representative Title or Capacity

Owner / Declarant:

By:

Date:

Preparer / Licensed Surveyor:

By:

Date:

Notary acknowledgement or county recording officer certification may be required at the time of recordation. Signatures above attest to the accuracy of the Plan and the authority of the signatories to execute on behalf of their respective parties.

What a Real Estate Unit Plan Is and when it’s used

A Real Estate Unit Plan describes individual dwelling or commercial units within a larger property, including legal descriptions, dimensions, assigned parking, and common elements. It establishes boundaries, allocation of ownership interests, and maintenance responsibilities for each unit. Unit plans are used for condominium declarations, planned unit developments, multi-tenant conversions, and any transaction where discrete ownership or long-term use rights must be recorded and enforced.

Why a clear Unit Plan matters

A complete, accurate Real Estate Unit Plan reduces title and boundary disputes, clarifies maintenance obligations, and supports smooth recording and financing. Precise documentation also streamlines permitting, leasing, and resale by providing a single authoritative reference for owners, lenders, and regulators.

Typical parties who prepare or review a Unit Plan

These stakeholders commonly create, review, or rely on Real Estate Unit Plans.

Real estate developers and project managers preparing subdivisions or condominium declarations for sale and financing.
Title companies and closing agents verifying legal descriptions, easements, and ownership allocations prior to recordation.
Homeowners associations and property managers enforcing maintenance responsibilities and shared-cost allocations.

Each party has different priorities—developers focus on marketability and financing, title companies on accuracy, and HOAs on governance and ongoing operations.

Core elements of a professional Unit Plan

A professional Unit Plan combines legal descriptions, scaled floor plans, and administrative provisions so it can be recorded, referenced in deeds, and enforced by owners and lenders.

Unit Description

Precise unit identifiers and boundaries, including unit number, floor level, and internal dimensions to define ownership and livable area.

Legal Description

Parcel and metes-and-bounds language or plat references necessary for county recorder acceptance and accurate title indexing.

Floor Plans

Scaled drawings showing unit layout, wall locations, and measurements; useful for permitting, appraisals, and dispute resolution.

Common Elements

Definition of shared spaces (corridors, roofs, mechanical rooms), including usage rules and allocation percentages for costs.

Allocation

Formula or schedule that assigns ownership interest, voting rights, and expense shares to each unit.

Maintenance Rules

Responsibilities for repair, replacement, and insurance for unit interiors versus common elements, with escalation or dispute procedures.

Step-by-step completion workflow

Follow these four core steps to produce a record-ready Unit Plan suitable for review and recording.

01

Prepare base documents: Assemble deeds, plats, and existing surveys for reference.
02

Populate unit details: Enter identifiers, areas, and assignments into the template fields.
03

Review and confirm: Obtain sign-offs from owners, surveyor, and counsel.
04

Record and distribute: File with the recorder and share final copies with stakeholders.

How to set up the digital Unit Plan workflow

Configure these fields and settings when preparing the Unit Plan for online completion and signature.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Set as required; capture full name and timestamp.
Date Field	Auto-format as MM/DD/YYYY; set default to signer date.
Conditional Parking Field	Display only for units marked 'includes parking'.
Attachment	Allow floor plan PDF upload and set size limit.

Where to send the completed Unit Plan

After signatures, route the finalized plan to official recipients to complete the administrative lifecycle.

County Recorder: Primary filing location for deeds and recorded unit plans.
Title Company: Sent for final title endorsement and lien checks.
HOA or Management: Retain a copy for governance and assessments.
Owner / Lender: Distribute executed copies to owners and mortgagees.

Digital signing and distribution considerations

Choose a platform that supports secure signatures, audit trails, and common integrations for record distribution.

Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger methods such as knowledge-based authentication.
File Formats: Support for PDF and DOCX for record integrity.
Integrations: Connectors to cloud storage and title systems simplify distribution.

Ensure the selected solution can produce a tamper-evident signed PDF and retains a detailed audit trail for recording and lender requirements.

Comparing eSignature vendors for Unit Plan workflows

High-volume Unit Plan workflows benefit from predictable pricing, bulk send, and strong compliance. The table below summarizes common vendor differences; signNow is listed first by product rules.

	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	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Common timing considerations and deadlines

A few time-sensitive steps can affect enforceability, recording priority, and tax or insurance treatment; allow buffer time for each stage.

Owner review deadline:

Allow at least 7–14 days for owner review and sign-off.

HOA approval period:

Boards often require 30 days for architectural or plan approval.

Recording deadline:

Record before closing to protect purchaser and lender priorities.

Tax assessment update:

Allow local assessor processing time; changes may take one assessment cycle.

Insurance effective date:

Coordinate policy effective dates with recorded interests to avoid coverage gaps.

Notarization and witness steps — typical workflow

Notarization and witness procedures vary by state; follow these common steps when executing a Unit Plan for recordation.

01

Prepare executed document

Ensure all fields completed before notarization to avoid re-execution.

02

Identify signers

Confirm identity using government ID or online credential proofing.

03

Select notary type

Choose in-person notary or RON where state law permits.

04

Complete verification

For RON, follow identity-proofing and multi-factor requirements.

05

Record audio-video

Retain recording per state RON rules when applicable.

06

Notary acknowledgment

Notary completes acknowledgment block and signs.

07

Attach certificate

Attach notary certificate and any witness affidavits required by county.

08

File with recorder

Submit original or certified copy to county recorder for indexing.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a Unit Plan

Using inconsistent unit identifiers across documents, which creates title mismatches and closing delays.
Failing to specify whether square footage is net or gross, leading to valuation disputes and financing issues.
Omitting easement or utility encumbrance details, which can invalidate parts of the plan at recording.
Missing lender or mortgagee notification, causing priority problems or post-closing title objections.

Practical risks and legal consequences of errors

Recording Rejection: Delayed or refused recording

Title Issues: Clouded title or coverage gaps

Lien Priority: Subordination disputes arise

Boundary Disputes: Litigation risk with neighbors

Insurance Gaps: Claims may be denied

Signature Invalidity: Contract unenforceable without proper consent

Essential data fields to verify for accuracy

Unit ID: Unique identifier

Legal Description: Parcel or plat reference

Square Footage: Net/Gross area

Owner Name: Full legal name

Parcel Number: County assessor ID

Easements: Recorded encumbrances

Frequently asked questions about Real Estate Unit Plans

Answers to common execution, recording, and electronic-signature questions for Unit Plans and related recorded documents.

Need help? Contact support

Can a Unit Plan be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes, electronic signatures are legally valid for most real estate documents when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are present. Confirm state-specific recording office policies about electronic notarization and original wet-ink requirements before relying solely on e-signatures.
Is remote online notarization (RON) acceptable?
Many states permit RON with identity-proofing and audio-video recording requirements. Confirm the county recorder accepts RON acknowledgements and ensure retention of the required notarial records as specified by the state notary commission.
What causes a recorder to reject a Unit Plan?
Common causes include incomplete legal descriptions, missing or improper notary acknowledgments, unsigned signature blocks, omitted exhibits such as plats, or nonconforming document margins and formatting required by the county recorder.
How do I correct an error after recording?
Minor errors often require a corrective instrument or affidavit signed and recorded to amend the original. Material changes may require counsel and re-recording. Consult local recorder rules and consider title company involvement to preserve priority.
Who must sign the Unit Plan?
Authorized owners, the declarant (if applicable), and any required witnesses or notaries must sign. Lender signatures or acknowledgments may be required by financing documents. Verify signer authority and corporate resolutions for entities.
How long should I retain executed Unit Plans?
Retain originals for the life of the property interest and at least three years beyond tax or title-related statutory periods; follow industry-specific rules (IRS, HIPAA) and state variations for longer retention.

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