Blog · September 28, 2026
GPS for a Subdivision Lot vs a Metes-and-Bounds Tract
A subdivision lot is small. GPS error can be most of the lot.
Platbookmapper is an Amazon Associate. If you buy through an Amazon link on this page, we earn a commission. The link is a product, not the county map.
Why this comes up
A subdivision lot is small. GPS error can be most of the lot. On a small platted lot, use the plat and the monuments. GPS is for the big tract and the walk back to the truck.
What to check on the map first
County GIS lines are assessment maps. They are not a survey, and a product will not redraw them.
Open Platbookmapper and choose the state. The directory sends you to the county viewer. Match the parcel ID before you trust a pin on an aerial photo.
A tool that matches the job
Shop the Garmin eTrex when that is the job in front of you. On a small platted lot, use the plat and the monuments. GPS is for the big tract and the walk back to the truck.
The limit
A handheld GPS gets you back to the truck. It is often several meters off, so it cannot tell you where the legal line is.
The county viewer is the map. The product is only the tool you carry.
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.