Land lot

Possible owners of a plot can be one or more persons or another legal entity, such as a company, corporation, organization, government, or trust.

A small area of land that is empty except for a paved surface or similar improvement, typically all used for the same purpose or in the same state is also often called a plot.

This article covers plots (more commonly called lots in some countries) as defined parcels of land meant to be owned as units by an owner(s).

Formal surveys are done by qualified surveyors, who can make a diagram or map of the lot showing boundaries, dimensions, and the locations of any structures such as buildings, etc.

Sometimes minor, usually unnamed driveways called alleys, usually publicly owned, also provide access to the back of a lot.

Corner lots may have the advantage that a garage can be built with street access from the side, but have the disadvantage that there is more parkway lawn to mow and more pavement to shovel snow from.

Local governments often pass zoning laws which control what buildings can be built on a lot and what they can be used for.

Also, minimum lot sizes and separations must be met when wells and septic systems are used.

There may also be restrictions based on covenants established by private parties such as the real estate developer.

There may be easements for utilities to run water, sewage, electric power, or telephone lines through a lot.

Structures such as buildings, driveways, pavements, patios or other surfaces, wells, septic systems, signs, and similar improvements which are considered permanently attached to the land in the lot are considered to be real property, usually part of the lot but often parts of a building, such as condominiums, are owned separately.

Certain areas of the land are dedicated (given to local government for permanent upkeep) as streets and sometimes alleys for transport and access to lots.

Deeds often mention that appurtenances to the lot are included in order to convey any structures and other improvements also.

Diagram of an example **house plot** as seen from above, showing front and back lawns, positions of structures on the plot, and immediate surroundings. The plot boundaries are outlined in black except for the frontage, which is shown in red. In this example, the immediate surroundings include a pavement, parking area, and section of the road out in front and a section of an alley at the back. Plot structures include a house, private walkways, and at the back - a detached garage with a drive access to the alley and a small area for refuse.