# 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.

Data as of Oct 11, 2026. Page: https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/preliminary-plat/

## What it is

A preliminary plat shows the proposed lots, streets, drainage, utilities, and open space for a subdivision. Approval sets the layout so the developer can finish engineering plans.

## 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

1. The developer's engineer submits the layout, often after a concept plan.
2. Staff, the city engineer, and utility providers review it.
3. The planning commission approves it or recommends it to the council, in many places after a public hearing.
4. 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.

Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.

## 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 units · 11.2 acres | Approved | Aug 4, 2026 |
| 21-Unit Residential Subdivision on 13.4 Acres | Syracuse, UT | Davis School District | Single-family | 21 homes · 13.4 acres | Approved | May 5, 2026 |
| 7-Lot Single-Family Subdivision on 8.63 Acres | Mesquite, NV | Richmond American | Single-family | 7 homes · 8.63 acres | Approved | Jul 14, 2026 |

Samples show projects filed by companies or public bodies.

## Find it on Boardwalk

Pick Preliminary Plat under Application Type on the Boardwalk map. [Start free trial](https://boardwalkai.com/auth/signup/)

## Related terms

- [Final plat](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/final-plat/): A final plat is the approved subdivision map recorded with the county, creating legal lots that can be sold and built on.
- [Subdivision](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/subdivision/): A subdivision divides one piece of land into lots for sale or development, approved through plats showing the new lots and streets.
- [Concept plan](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/concept-plan/): A concept plan is an early, rough layout of a proposed project that a city reviews before the developer files formal applications.

## 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.

## Get the full data

- **Count for free.** Connect Boardwalk to Claude or ChatGPT and ask how many projects match. Counting is free during your trial and on every plan. [Use it in Claude or ChatGPT](https://boardwalkai.com/mcp/)
- **Open the records.** Start a 7-day free trial, no credit card. It includes 50 project records. [Start free trial](https://boardwalkai.com/auth/signup/)
- **Use it in your tools.** CSV export, the API, and the MCP server come with every plan. [API docs](https://boardwalkai.com/docs/api/)

## How to cite

Source: Boardwalk, "Preliminary plat", boardwalkai.com/glossary/preliminary-plat/, data as of Oct 11, 2026.

How we count: https://boardwalkai.com/coverage/#how-we-count