What serves as a legal description of the layout of a subdivided piece of property?

A plat serves as a legal description of the layout of a subdivided piece of property. It is a detailed map that defines the divisions of land and shows the boundaries, lots, streets, and any easements. Plats are typically recorded with local government bodies, making them official documents recognized in legal terms. They provide clear boundaries and facilitate the understanding of the property configuration, which is essential for zoning, development, and land ownership purposes.

While a parcel map identifies and outlines property boundaries and can depict subdivisions, it doesn’t inherently provide the legal platting information required for a comprehensive legal description. A site plan is focused on the arrangement of buildings and other features in relation to property boundaries, rather than serving as a legal description. A zoning plan outlines land use regulations within a given area and does not detail the subdivision layout itself. Thus, the plat is the correct choice as it encompasses all necessary legal specifications for subdivided land.