Preliminary plat
A preliminary plat is the first detailed layout of a proposed subdivision, showing lots, streets, and utilities before the final plat.
Also called tentative map, tentative tract map, or preliminary subdivision plan.
What it tells you
A preliminary plat is one of the clearest early signals of new homes: how many lots, where, and who is building. Site, utility, and paving work usually follows once engineering is approved.
How it moves through a city or county
- The developer's engineer submits the layout, often after a concept plan.
- Staff, the city engineer, and utility providers review it.
- The planning commission approves it or recommends it to the council, in many places after a public hearing.
- Approval usually lasts a set time, within which the final plat must follow.
California calls this step a tentative map. Some states, like Texas, set short deadlines for deciding a plat.
Recent preliminary plats
From public filings in New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.
| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45-Lot Residential Subdivision on 11.17 Acres | Bernalillo, NM | Gamma Development LLC | Single-family | 45 units11.2 acres | Approved | |
| 21-Unit Residential Subdivision on 13.4 Acres | Syracuse, UT | Davis School District | Single-family | 21 homes13.4 acres | Approved | |
| 7-Lot Single-Family Subdivision on 8.63 Acres | Mesquite, NV | Richmond American | Single-family | 7 homes8.63 acres | Approved |
As of How we count
Common questions
- What happens after a preliminary plat is approved?
- After a preliminary plat is approved, the developer prepares construction plans for streets and utilities, then builds them or posts a bond. A final plat follows, and once it is recorded, lots can be sold and building permits issued.
- Is a preliminary plat the same as a tentative map?
- Yes, tentative map is California's name for the same step, used for subdivisions of five or more lots. Smaller splits there use a parcel map.
Related terms
Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.
See preliminary plats near you.
Pick Preliminary Plat under Application Type on the Boardwalk map.