# The Subdivision / Plat Process
To split land into lots (or reconfigure parcels), you go through **subdivision**, recording a **plat** (a legal map of the new lots, streets, and easements).
## Typical steps
1. **Preliminary plat** — a detailed plan reviewed by staff and the planning commission; this is where most conditions are set.
2. **Construction drawings & improvements** — design and build the roads, utilities, and drainage that serve the lots (often secured by a **subdivision/site-improvement bond**).
3. **Final plat** — recorded once improvements are approved (or bonded), legally creating the lots you can sell or build on.
## Why it matters
You can't sell or finance individual lots until they legally exist. The plat process also locks in **public improvements** you must build — a major cost item.
**Takeaway:** You can't sell or finance lots until the plat records them into existence.
> *Educational content — not legal, engineering, or financial advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction; always confirm with the local authority and your professional team.*
