Subdivision platting is the process of splitting one larger piece of land into several smaller pieces of land. Generally, this plat, or map, is drawn to be used to sell off the smaller pieces of land. These pieces of land are often built upon before being sold, often by the same home builder, giving the look that many are familiar with of a subdivision with many similarly designed homes, each one on a separate lot of land.
Usually, the creation of a subdivision plat is done by a land surveyor who has been hired by the developer, who will be building upon the land once the plat is approved. This may be the original owner of the land, or an individual or company who has purchased the land strictly for the purpose of subdividing it.