Check Plat Jurisdiction Before Dividing County Land

Do not assume every tract outside city limits goes through Dallas County. The county plat application covers land outside a city and outside the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, called an ETJ. Land in an ETJ may follow a deal between the city and county. A mailing address will not always show which office is in charge.

If the county handles the split, its page calls for an early plat and a final plat. Call the Department of Unincorporated Area Services at 214-653-6565 while the survey is still in draft. Ask which office has authority and whether the plan fits an exemption. 'Outside city limits' alone does not answer those questions.