Blog · September 27, 2026
What Is a Plat Dedication
A dedication on a plat is the owner's grant of streets, alleys, or other areas to public use.
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The dedication certificate is the paragraph the owner signs. It gives the public a right of way or, in some states, the fee to the street, depending on the words and local law.
On the recorded sheet
Read the exact sentence. 'Dedicated for public use' is not the same promise as a drainage easement kept in private ownership.
The mix-up to avoid
A road drawn on a plat is not always maintained by the city. Maintenance and ownership are separate from the line on the sheet.
Find the county map
The county GIS map is the practical place to start. Find it from the Platbookmapper directory, then treat the recorded plat and deed as the documents behind the picture.
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.