Cadastral Information For GIS Specialists

Part Two - Cadastral Information

GIS Themes and the Cadastral Data Content Standard


The Cadastral Data Content Standard provides definitions for cadastral information, and standardized cadastral attribute values. The Standard does not include a list of GIS themes.  Still, taking a close look, you can begin to see how GIS themes relate to the subject matter in the Standard.

Some straight talk about using standards when you already have an existing database.
A common apprehension about data standards in general is that using standards requires making comprehensive, complex, and expensive changes to our existing databases - imposing unwanted workloads on all of us.  Fortunately, it doesn't have to work out that way.  It should be kept in mind that using the Cadastral Data Content Standard does not mean that you will have to make comprehensive changes to your data.  Rather, the Standard offers a way to find core elements in your data that can be shared with other agencies, organizations and individuals in a way that everyone will benefit.

Below is a list of themes commonly used by GIS specialists, which pertain directly to information defined in the Cadastral Data Content Standard.
 

GIS THEMES
Examples of Related Information In The Cadastral
Data Content Standard
ownership Agent, Individual, Organization
lease or permit holders Agent, Individual, Organization
ownership boundaries Circular Curve, Other Curve, Corner, Legal Area Record Boundary, Record Boundary
parcels Parcel, Corner Point, Parcel Area, Parcel Type, Parcel Name, Parcel Local Label, Parcel Legal Area, Parcel Record Boundary, Record Boundary, Record Boundary Corner Point, Survey System First Division
corners of parcels, lots, blocks Corner, Corner Point, Corner Point Measured Coordinate, Record Boundary Corner Point
PLSS corners Corner, Corner Label
GCDB points Corner, Corner Label
PLSS townships PLSS Description, PLSS Township
PLSS sections PLSS Description, PLSS Township First Division
lots PLSS Township First Division, PLSS Township Second Division, PLSS Township Third Division, Record Boundary, Survey System First Division
blocks PLSS Township First Division, PLSS Township Second Division, Record Boundary, Survey System First Division
tracts PLSS Township First Division, PLSS Township Second Division, Record Boundary, Survey System First Division
government lots PLSS Township Second Division, Record Boundary
other aliquot parts PLSS Township Second Division, PLSS Township Third Division, Record Boundary
land claims PLSS Township First Division, Record Boundary, Survey System First Division
legal land descriptions Corner Point, Corner Point Measured Coordinate, Legal Area Corner, Placement, Sequence, Corner Number, Legal Area Description, LAD-Source Agent, Record Boundary
offshore boundaries Outer Continental Shelf Block Parcel
land use Parcel, Corner Point, Parcel Area, Parcel Type, Parcel Name, Parcel Local Label, Parcel Legal Area, Parcel Record Boundary, Record Boundary
taxation areas Parcel, Corner Point, Parcel Area, Parcel Type, Parcel Name, Parcel Local Label, Parcel Legal Area, Parcel Record Boundary
zoning Parcel, Corner Point, Parcel Area, Parcel Type, Parcel Name, Parcel Local Label, Parcel Legal Area, Parcel Record Boundary, Record Boundary
land management unit Parcel, Corner Point, Parcel Area, Parcel Type, Parcel Name, Parcel Local Label, Parcel Legal Area, Parcel Record Boundary, Record Boundary
ownership and rights transactions Parcel Transaction
public lands management Public Agency, Agent
land use restrictions Restriction
land use rights Transferred Right 
states Public Agency
counties Public Agency
cities Public Agency
towns Public Agency
plat maps Record Boundary, Survey System Description
homesteads Record Boundary, Survey System Description
Indian allotments Record Boundary, Survey System Description
land grants Record Boundary, Survey System Description
mineral surveys Record Boundary, Survey System Description
subdivisions Record Boundary, Survey System Description
transactions Transaction, Transaction Agent, Record Boundary, Legal Area Record Boundary, Parcel, Parcel Local Label, Parcel Name

The above list is not comprehensive.  There are other possible GIS themes which relate to information defined in the Cadastral Data Content Standard.  For example, see Section 4.1 of the Standard for a list of other parcel types which can be depicted in GIS themes, and Section 4.3 for a list of restriction types which can be depicted in GIS themes.  You can download a copy of the Cadastral Data Content Standard from http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/documents/standards/cadastral/.


Go on to Part Two: Cadastral Information - A Local Parcel Map Example

Or return to Part Two main page

Table Of Contents - Cadastral Information For GIS Specialists


Links to the other Cadastral Courses:
Learning The Cadastral Data Content Standard
County Recorders And The Cadastral Data Content Standard
Surveyors And The Cadastral Data Content Standard


Presented by the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, and

the Federal Geographic Data Committee Cadastral Subcommittee