Plat maps (cadastral drawings): Does a plat typically include elevations, or is it primarily limited to property boundaries, lots, easements, and legal descriptions without topographic elevation data?

Introduction / Context:
Plats are legal/cadastral documents used to record property subdivisions, lot lines, rights-of-way, and easements. Understanding what information appears on a plat prevents confusion between cadastral drawings and topographic surveys used for design.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Plat = legal boundary map for recording purposes.
• Topographic survey = map with elevations and natural/man-made features.
• Engineering drawings often require both, but they serve different roles.

Concept / Approach:
A plat usually shows bearings, distances, curve data for boundaries, monuments, lot numbers, and easements, plus certifications and approval blocks. Elevation contours and spot elevations are generally absent; when elevation information is needed, a separate topographic or site survey is prepared and referenced.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Review a county recorder’s plat: it will show lots and rights-of-way, approval stamps, and legal descriptions, with no contour interval or elevation datum—confirming the typical content.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Claiming plats routinely provide contours (option B) mismatches standard practice.
• Nautical charts (option C) and architectural elevations (option D) are different document types.
• Geological cross-sections (option E) serve subsurface analysis, not parcel definition.

Common Pitfalls:
Using a plat as if it were a topo; assuming lot lines on a topo equal a recorded plat; ignoring title and legend that specify the drawing purpose.

Final Answer:
Incorrect: plats generally do not include elevation contours; they focus on legal boundaries