Preliminary Plat
A preliminary plat is a proposal to legally subdivide a parcel of land into separate lots, each properly designed for a certain type of development. A preliminary plat acts as an agreement between the County and the subdivider as to the development’s layout. Specific subdivision considerations include lot size, open space, density, street layout, access, floodplains, utilities, easements, and public improvements. (See Section 7.02 of the Subdivision Control Ordinance for more details)

Final Plat
A final plat legally establishes the division of property into separate parcels or tracts. A final plat shows lot boundaries, street dedications, easements, and any other divisions of land. Final plats must be prepared by a registered surveyor or engineer and must include all requirements outlined in the Final Plat checklist. A final plat must be submitted within 1 year of the approval of the preliminary plat and substantially conform to the preliminary plat. (See Section 7.04 of the Subdivision Control Ordinance for more details)

• A plat of vacation or a plat of dedication legally establishes
  
  1. the elimination/vacation of an easement and possibly the division of that particular property,
  2. a dedication of right of way and/or
  3. a dedication of an easement of some type. A plat shows lot boundaries, street dedications, easements, and any other divisions of land.
• Plats must be prepared by a registered surveyor or engineer and must include all requirements outlined in the other plat checklist. (See Section 7.06 of the Subdivision Control Ordinance for more details)