The terms urban plot and cadastral plot are often used in the context of spatial planning and land management. Although at first glance they seem similar, in practice they mean completely different things. Understanding their difference is crucial for any landowner, investor, or developer.
What is a cadastral parcel?
The cadastral plot is the basic unit of land in the cadastre.
It defines:
land ownership,
borders and area of the plot,
way of recording in the cadastral records.
All documentation related to the cadastral plot is maintained and provided by the real estate cadastre. If you want to know who is the owner, how much is the area, where are the borders and whether there are encumbrances, you will find the answer in the real estate list.
In other words: the cadastral parcel answers the question “Whose land is it?”.
What is an urban plot?
Urban plot is a term from spatial and urban planning.
It does not talk about ownership, but about what can be built on a certain piece of land and to what extent.
Information on urban plots can be found in the secretariats for urban planning and in spatial plans.
You can find out here:
is construction allowed on the plot,
what type of building can be built (house, building, business building, warehouse),
what is the maximum number of storeys, surface area and allowed building coefficient.
Therefore, the urban plot answers the question “What is allowed to build?”
Relationship between cadastral and urban plot
It is important to know that the cadastral plot and the urban plot do not have to match. There are several situations:
1. One cadastral plot – several urban plots
There may be several urban plots on the same property.
This means that you may be able to build a house on one part of the plot, a building on another, and only an auxiliary building or a warehouse on the third.
2. One urban plot – on several cadastral plots
It also happens the other way around: one urban plot can include the land of several owners.
If the urban plot is divided between you and your neighbor, construction is not possible without mutual consent. In that case you have two options:
agree and build together,
or one of the owners buys the land of another.
If an agreement is not possible, a solution is usually awaited through new spatial planning plans.
Why is this difference important?
If you only look at the cadastre, you will know who the owner is, but not whether construction is permitted.
If you only look at the urban plan, you will know what is allowed to be built, but not whether the land is yours or if there is co-ownership.
The real picture is obtained only by combining these two sources. That is why it is always important to check the cadastral and urban documentation before any purchase or investment.
Conclusion
The cadastral plot tells about ownership, and the urban plot about construction possibilities.
Their difference is the basis of understanding how the land market and the spatial planning process work.
If you are buying or planning to build, be sure to check both aspects:
in the cadastre – is the land clean in terms of ownership,
in urban planning – what and how much you can build on it.
In the end, everything is regulated by the Spatial Planning Act, and knowing this difference can save you both time and money.
