Workflow: Create a parcel fabric and load data

In this workflow, you will create a parcel fabric and load parcel data.

Create a parcel fabric

Note:

If you have an ArcMap parcel fabric, upgrade the parcel fabric instead of creating a parcel fabric.

To create a parcel fabric and set up the information model, complete the following steps:

1. Create a feature dataset in a file geodatabase: Right-click the database connection in the Catalog pane and click New > Feature Dataset, or use the Create Feature Dataset geoprocessing tool.

   If you are working in an enterprise environment, copy the parcel fabric to an enterprise geodatabase once data loading and staging is complete.

2. Use the Create Parcel Fabric geoprocessing tool in Toolboxes > Parcel Tools > Administration to create a parcel fabric.
3. In the Catalog pane, right-click the parcel fabric, point to Manage and click Add Parcel Type to add a parcel type to the parcel fabric.

   Parcels are added to the parcel fabric as parcel types. A parcel type is composed of a polygon and a line feature class and is defined by your organization. For example, your organization may manage both ownership/tax parcels and subdivision parcels. You can add as many parcel types as necessary for your organization.

4. Optionally, add attribute fields and domains used by your organization to the parcel fabric feature classes.

   Parcel fabric feature classes have a set of system-added attribute fields and domains. Other attribute fields and domains can be added to the parcel type feature classes and to the Records, Connection Lines, and Points feature classes.

   Tip:

   For example, you can create a domain named RecordType and apply it to the Record Type system field in the Records feature class.

5. Create a field in your parcel type polygon feature class for storing record names.

   You will use this field to create and assign records after appending polygons.

Load parcel features and build parcels

Parcels are loaded into the parcel fabric by appending parcel features to the parcel type feature classes. You can append parcel data to the parcel type feature classes (polygons or lines), Connection Lines feature class, and Points feature class.

When appending polygons to the parcel type polygon feature classes, records can be associated correctly with parcels. If you are appending reliable parcel lines with COGO dimensions, convert the lines to polygons, append the polygons to the parcel fabric, and transfer the source line attributes to the newly built parcel lines. You can also append both polygons and lines.

1. Use the Append geoprocessing tool to append data to the parcel fabric feature classes.
2. Optionally, use the Simplify By Straight Lines And Circular Arcs geoprocessing tool to convert segmented (densified) curves to true curves.

   If you have polygons or lines that contain segmented curves, building parcels may create tiny lines with endpoints for each segment in the curve. This tool detects and creates true curves from sequences of line segments using specified tolerances. This tool works on both polygons and lines.

   Tip:

   Segmented curves occur when polygons are appended to feature classes from shapefiles.

3. Use the Create Parcel Records geoprocessing tool to create parcel records.

   The tool creates records based on record names in an attribute field added to the parcel type polygon feature class.

4. If you are working in an enterprise geodatabase, do the following:
   1. In the Catalog pane, right-click the enterprise geodatabase connection, click Geodatabase Connection Properties and choose Branch under Versioning Type .
   2. Copy the feature dataset containing the parcel fabric to the enterprise geodatabase.
   3. Right-click the feature dataset, point to Manage and click Register As Versioned.
   4. Add the parcel fabric to a map and publish the parcel fabric as a feature service.
   5. Add the published parcel fabric to a new map from the portal.
   6. Build the parcels.
5. If you are working in a file geodatabase, do the following:
   1. Add your parcel fabric to a new map.
   2. Build the parcels.

See the Load data into the parcel fabric administration task for a guided workflow on loading data.