Blog · September 27, 2026
Cadastral Map vs Plat Map
A cadastral map is a map of property interests for an area. A plat map is one recorded subdivision drawing.
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Countries and assessors use cadastral to mean the parcel fabric: who is taxed for which polygon. In the United States that job is usually the county parcel layer.
On the recorded sheet
A plat is a single instrument inside that fabric. Many cadastral lines come from plats. Many come from deeds that were never platted.
The mix-up to avoid
Asking a search engine for a cadastral map of your town usually lands you on the same county GIS viewer the Platbookmapper directory already lists.
Find the county map
Open Platbookmapper and pick the county that taxes the land. Use that viewer to get the parcel ID, then match it to the recorded plat if you need the easements and lot numbers.
Not a survey. County GIS and tax parcel maps are assessment and planning layers. They are not a substitute for a recorded plat, deed, or licensed survey.