Parcel fabric data model

Use the Create Parcel Fabric geoprocessing tool to create a parcel fabric and its associated feature classes in a feature dataset.

Parcels are added to the parcel fabric as parcel types. Examples of parcel types are ownership parcels, administrative parcels and subdivision parcels. Use the Add Parcel Type geoprocessing tool to add a parcel type to your parcel fabric.

The parcel fabric is created as a controller dataset that controls the following feature classes and topology:

  • Parcel type feature classes
  • Geodatabase topology
  • Records feature class
  • Connections feature class
  • Points feature class
  • Adjustment feature classes

Parcel fabric data model

When the parcel fabric is added to the map, associated parcel fabric layers are added with default layer definitions. The layer definitions define symbology, labeling, display expressions, and field properties such as aliases, formatting, and highlighting.

Symbology, display expressions, and fields properties of the parcel fabric layers can be changed and saved once the layers are added to the map. However, when the parcel fabric layer is added to a new map, the default layer definitions will be applied. Any changes made to field properties in a previous map will not be persisted when a parcel fabric is added to a new map.

Records feature class

Parcel data is recorded on documents such as plans, plats, deeds, and records of survey. The parcel fabric is a records-driven system, and parcel features are associated with the record that created them.

The Records feature class stores information about the parcel record such as the record date and record type. A single polygon feature with a unique record name is stored for every record added to the parcel fabric. The record feature is a polygon feature that matches the cumulative geometry of all the parcels associated with it.

The Records feature class is enabled with editor tracking and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Name

Text

Name of the record, plan, deed, or other document. The name must be unique.

Record Type

Long

Stores the user-defined type of the record, for example, a plan or deed. Add your own record type domain to this field.

Recorded Date

Date

The date the record was recorded. This is typically stated on the record document.

GlobalID

Global ID

The global ID of the record. Global IDs uniquely identify features in a geodatabase. Parcel features are associated with records by referencing the record global IDs in their attribute fields.

Created Parcel Count

Long

The number of parcels associated with the record. This field is populated when building parcels, creating new parcels using record driven workflows and creating parcel records using the Create Parcel Records geoprocessing tool.

Retired Parcel Count

Long

The number of historic parcels that are associated with this record. This field is system-managed and the count is updated when parcels become historic in the active record.

Parcel type feature classes

Parcels are added to the parcel fabric as parcel types. Examples of parcel types are ownership parcels, administrative parcels, and subdivision parcels. A parcel type is defined by a separate polygon and line feature class, and both parcel polygons and lines are associated with the record that created them. Parcel types can have different schemas (attribute fields and related tables) and can participate in different geodatabase topology rules and attribute rules.

Parcel polygon feature class

The parcel polygon feature class is enabled with editor tracking and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Name

Text

The parcel name or identification number (PIN).

Created By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that created this parcel.

Retired By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that retired this parcel. The parcel is historic.

Stated Area

Double

The area stated on the record.

Stated Area Unit

Long

The units of the area stated on the record. The field uses the system-added PF_AreaIUnits domain.

Calculated Area

Double

The area of the polygon calculated from COGO dimensions on the parcel lines. If there are missing or partial COGO dimensions, the area is not calculated.

Misclose Ratio

Double

The ratio of the parcel's misclose distance to the parcel perimeter.

Misclose Distance

Double

The distance between the start point and end point of the parcel traverse.

Global ID

Global ID

The global ID of the parcel polygon. Global IDs uniquely identify features in a geodatabase.

Is Seed

Long

Indicates whether the parcel is a seed parcel. The field uses the system-added PF_YesNo domain.

Validation status

Short

Tracks the evaluation of batch calculation and validation rules. The field uses the Validation Status domain to report whether the feature requires calculation, whether the feature requires validation, and whether the feature has errors.

Parcel type polygons have one validation type attribute rule.

Parcel area

The following fields are used for storing and labeling parcel area:

  • Stated Area
  • Stated Area Unit
  • Calculated Area

The Calculated Area field automatically stores the computed area of the parcel polygon when its created. The calculated area value is stored in the squared linear unit of the feature dataset's projection (or in square meters if the feature dataset is in a geographic coordinate system).

The Stated Area and Stated Area Unit fields must be manually set and can be used for labeling purposes. The Stated Area and Stated Area Unit fields can be used to express values in the Calculated Area field in different units. For example, you can configure an attribute rule that populates the Stated Area field with the calculated area converted into a different unit. Such an attribute rule would also set the Stated Area Unit of the converted value.

Parcel line feature class

The parcel line feature class is a COGO-enabled feature class, is enabled with editor tracking, and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Created By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that created this parcel line.

Retired By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that retired this parcel line. The parcel line is historic.

Direction (COGO-enabled field)

Double

The direction (bearing) of the line from its start point to its endpoint.

Distance (COGO-enabled field

Double

The distance between the start point and the end point of the line.

Radius (COGO-enabled field)

Double

The distance between the curved line and the curve center point.

Arc Length (COGO-enabled field

Double

The arc distance between the start point and the end point of the curved line.

Radius2 (COGO-enabled field

Double

Stores a curve parameter for spiral curves.

COGO Type

Long

Stores metadata about the most recent source of the COGO dimension. Values are system-populated or can be set in the Attributes table. Values can be Entered, From Geometry, or Computed. The field uses the system-added PF_COGOType domain.

Is COGO Ground

Long

Indicates whether the COGO dimensions are on the ground or on the grid. The field uses the system-added PF_YesNo domain.

Rotation

Double

The angular amount the line is rotated to fit the parcel fabric. This is populated when the ground to grid correction is turned on.

Scale

Double

The amount the line is scaled to fit to the parcel fabric. This is populated when the ground to grid correction is turned on.

Parent Line ID

Guid

The global ID of the parent line that was split to create this line.

GlobalID

Global ID

The global ID of the parcel line. Global IDs uniquely identify features in a geodatabase.

Direction Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of the direction. If no accuracy is provided, the default of 30 seconds is used.

Distance Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of distance. If no accuracy is provided, the default of 0.59 feet (0.15 meters) is used.

Label Position

Long

Indicates if the label position is to the left or right of the parcel line or is centered over the parcel line. The field uses the system-added PF_LabelPosition domain. The default is to the right of the line.

Validation status

Short

Tracks the evaluation of batch calculation and validation rules. The field uses the Validation Status domain to report whether the feature requires calculation, whether the feature requires validation, and whether the feature has errors.

Parcel type lines have one validation type attribute rule.

Strata parcels

Parcel types can store strata parcels. Strata parcels represent floors above and below the ground and are also known as condominiums, units, apartments, flats, basements, and vertical parcels.

To enable a parcel type to store strata-based parcels, add the following field both the parcel type lines and polygon feature class:

Field nameData typeDescription

FloorOrder

Long

Learn more about creating strata parcels

Connection Lines feature class

Connection lines define measurements between points that are not parcel boundaries. For example, connection lines connect parcel points across roads or connect parcel points to control points.

The Connection Lines feature class is a COGO-enabled lines feature class, is enabled with editor tracking, and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Direction (COGO-enabled field)

Double

The direction (bearing) of the line from its start point to its end point.

Distance (COGO-enabled field

Double

The distance between the start point and the end point of the line.

Radius (COGO-enabled field)

Double

The distance between the curved line and the curve center point.

Radius2 (COGO-enabled field

Double

Stores a curve parameter for spiral curves.

Arc Length (COGO-enabled field

Double

The arc distance between the start point and the end point of the curved line.

Created By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that created this line.

Retired By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that retired this line. The line becomes historic.

COGO Type

Long

Stores metadata about the most recent source of the COGO dimension. Values are system-populated or can be set in the Attributes table. Values can be Entered, From Geometry, or Computed. The field uses the system-added PF_COGOType domain.

Is COGO Ground

Long

Indicates whether the COGO dimensions are on the ground or on the grid. It uses the system-added PF_YesNo domain.

Rotation

Double

The angular amount the line is rotated to fit the parcel fabric. This is populated when the ground to grid correction is turned on.

Scale

Double

The amount the line is scaled to fit to the parcel fabric. This is populated when the ground to grid correction is turned on.

GlobalID

Global ID

The global ID of the connection line. Global IDs uniquely identify features in a geodatabase.

Direction Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of the direction. If no accuracy is provided, the default of 30 seconds is used.

Distance Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of distance. If no accuracy is provided, the default of 0.59 feet (0.15 meters) is used.

Validation status

Short

Tracks the evaluation of batch calculation and validation rules. The field uses the Validation Status domain to report whether the feature requires calculation, whether the feature requires validation, and whether the feature has errors.

Connection lines have one validation type attribute rule.

Points feature class

Points represent parcel corners, end points of connection lines, and stand-alone cadastral reference features such as control points.

The Points feature class is enabled with editor tracking and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Name

Text

The name of the point or control point.

Created By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that created this point.

Retired By Record

Guid

The global ID of the record that retired this point. The point becomes historic if all adjacent parcels are historic.

Fixed Shape

Long

Indicates whether the point shape geometry can change (move). The field uses the system-added PF_YesNo domain.

Adjustment Constraint

Long

Indicates how the point will behave in a least-squares adjustment. The field uses the PF_AdjustmentConstraint domain.

Preserve

Long

Indicates whether the point will be preserved when an associated parcel or connection line is deleted. The field uses the system-added PF_YesNo domain and is populated by a configurable attribute rule.

X

Double

The x-coordinate of the point.

Y

Double

The y-coordinate of the point.

Z

Double

The z-coordinate of the point.

XY Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of the x,y coordinates.

Z Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of the z-coordinate.

XY Uncertainty

Double

The x,y positional uncertainty (95% confidence level). The value is a number calculated from the error ellipse.

Error Ellipse Semi Major

Double

The semi major axis of the adjusted point's error ellipse.

Error Ellipse Semi Minor

Double

The semi minor axis of the adjusted point's error ellipse.

Error Ellipse Direction

Double

The orientation direction or tilt of the error ellipse.

Parcel points have one calculation type attribute rule.

Adjustment feature classes

The parcel fabric can be adjusted by least squares to evaluate and improve spatial accuracy of parcel points. Adjustment feature classes are created to store and visualize adjusted data in the parcel fabric. Adjustment feature classes are populated when the Analyze Parcels By Least Squares Adjustment geoprocessing tool is run.

AdjustmentLines feature class

The AdjustmentLines feature class stores and displays adjusted and statistical data for adjusted parcel and connection lines. Data in the feature class is organized by the MeasurementType subtype. The feature class is enabled with editor tracking and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Point ID

Global ID

The global ID of the from point of the adjusted line. The from point is in the parcel fabric Points feature class.

Line ID

Global ID

The global ID of the parcel type or connection line that corresponds to the adjustment line.

Source

Text

The feature class that stores the line that corresponds to the adjusted line. The feature class is either a parcel type line feature class or a connection line feature class.

Measurement Type

Long

The type of the adjusted measurement. The field uses the MeasurementType subtype. Adjusted measurements can be a Distance, Direction Set, Geodetic Longitude, or Geodetic Latitude.

Point 1 Name

Text

The name (if it exists) of the point in the parcel fabric Points feature class. For Direction Sets, it is the origin point. For Distances, it is the from point of the line.

Point 2 Name

Text

The name (if it exists) of the point in the parcel fabric Points feature class. For Direction Sets it is the to point of the backsight line (reference line). For Distances, it is the to point of the line.

Point 3 Name

Text

The name (if it exists) of the point in the parcel fabric Points feature class. For Direction Sets, it is the to point of the foresight line, or null if it is a backsight line. For Distances, it is null.

Measurement

Double

The original measurement value that will be used in the adjustment analysis. For Direction Sets, the value is a north azimuth direction (decimal degrees) from the origin point to the foresight point in the parcel or connection line feature class. For Distances, the value is the line distance (in coordinate system units, meters for a geographic coordinate system). For Geodetic Longitude, the value is the y-coordinate of the weighted point converted to a longitude (decimal degrees). For Geodetic Latitude, the value is the x-coordinate of the weighted point converted to a latitude (decimal degrees).

Adjusted Measurement

Double

The adjusted value. For Direction Sets, the value is the adjusted foresight line direction (decimal degrees), or null if it is a backsight line. For Distances, the value is the adjusted line distance (in coordinate system units, meters for a geographic coordinate system). For Geodetic Latitude and Geodetic Longitude, the values are the adjusted latitudes and longitudes (decimal degrees), respectively.

Measurement Correction

Double

The difference between the original measurement and the adjusted measurement that results from the least-squares adjustment. For Direction Sets, the value is in decimal degrees. For Distances, the value is in the coordinate system units. For Geodetic Latitude and Geodetic Longitude, the value is in decimal degrees.

Measurement Standard Deviation

Double

The estimated standard deviation of the original measurement. For Distances and Direction Sets, the value is taken from the Distance Accuracy or Direction Accuracy fields on the parcel line feature class (seconds for Direction Set and coordinate system units for Distances). For Geodetic Latitude and Geodetic Longitude, the value is taken from the XY Accuracy field on the Points feature class (seconds).

Adjusted Standard Deviation

Double

The computed standard deviation of the adjusted measurement. For Direction Sets, the value is in seconds. For Distances, the value is in the coordinate system units. For Geodetic Latitude and Geodetic Longitude, the value is in seconds.

Correction Standard Deviation

Double

The computed standard deviation of the measurement correction (seconds). It is the square root of the difference between the precisions of the original and the adjusted measurements.

Standardized Normal Statistic

Double

A standardized statistic used to test a measurement correction against the Normal distribution. The statistic is calculated by dividing the Measurement Correction by the Adjusted Standard Deviation.

Standardized Student's t Statistic

Double

A standardized statistic used to test a measurement correction against the Student's t distribution.

Pelzer's Reliability

Double

A factor used to determine the measurement's reliability. The greater the value, the poorer the reliability of the measurement.

Outlier

Long

Indicates whether the measurement has failed statistical testing and is an outlier. A measurement is an outlier when the Standardized Normal Statistic exceeds +-1.96. The field uses the system-added PF_YesNo domain.

Note:

The units indicate values persisted in the tables. When these values are viewed through the layers, the field formatting may show formatted values and those values may include unit conversions for purposes of readability.

For more information on these fields, see the DynAdjust Least Squares Adjustment Users Guide.

AdjustmentPoints feature class

The AdjustmentPoints feature class stores and displays adjusted and statistical data for parcel fabric points. The feature class is enabled with editor tracking and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Name

Text

The name of the adjustment point. It matches the name of the corresponding parcel fabric point. It is null if the parcel fabric point has no name.

Point ID

Global ID

The global ID of the parcel fabric point that corresponds with the adjusted point

Constrained

Text

A thee-character string representing how the x,y,z coordinates of a point were constrained in the adjustment. F = Free and C = Constrained. For example, a constraint of FFC means that the x,y coordinates were free and the z-coordinate was constrained.

X

Double

The x-coordinate of the point in the parcel fabric Points feature class. This is only populated if the X field of the parcel fabric Points feature class is populated.

Y

Double

The y-coordinate of the point in the parcel fabric Points feature class. This is only populated if the Y field of the parcel fabric Points feature class is populated.

Z

Double

The z-coordinate of the point in the parcel fabric Points feature class. This is only populated if the Z field of the parcel fabric Points feature class is populated.

Adjusted X

Double

The adjusted x-coordinate of the parcel fabric point. This is the estimated x-coordinate from the least-squares adjustment.

Adjusted Y

Double

The adjusted y-coordinate of the parcel fabric point. This is the estimated y-coordinate from the least-squares adjustment.

Adjusted Z

Double

The adjusted z-coordinate of the parcel fabric point. This is the estimated z-coordinate from the least-squares adjustment*.

XY Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of the x,y coordinates. This value is obtained from the XY Accuracy field on the parcel fabric Points feature class.

XY Uncertainty

Double

The x,y positional uncertainty (95% confidence level). The value is a number calculated from the error ellipse.

Z Accuracy

Double

The estimated a priori standard deviation of the z-coordinate*. This value is obtained from the Z Accuracy field on the parcel fabric Points feature class.

Error Ellipse Semi Major

Double

The semi major axis of the adjusted point's error ellipse.

Error Ellipse Semi Minor

Double

The semi minor axis of the adjusted point's error ellipse.

Error Ellipse Direction

Double

The orientation direction or tilt of the error ellipse. The value is a direction stored in decimal degrees.

Z Uncertainty

Double

The vertical uncertainty (95% confidence level). The value is a number calculated from the error ellipse. It expresses the vertical circular confidence region as a radius.

StdDevE

Double

The standard deviation or precision (within 1 sigma) of the adjusted coordinates in the east-west direction.

StdDevN

Double

The standard deviation or precision (within 1 sigma) of the adjusted coordinates in the north-south direction.

StdDevUp

Double

The standard deviation in the vertical or up direction.

Update Source

Long

Indicates if the coordinates of the original parcel fabric point will be updated with the adjusted coordinates when the Apply Parcel Least Squares Adjustment tool is run. The field uses the system-added PF_YesNo domain.

*Three-dimensional (3D) adjustments are not supported.

AdjustmentVectors feature class

The AdjustmentVectors feature class stores and displays the shifts between parcel fabric points and their adjusted points. The shifts are displayed as adjustment vectors in the map. The feature class is enabled with editor tracking and has the following system-added attribute fields:

Attribute field aliasData typeDescription

Point ID

Global ID

The global ID of the parcel fabric point that corresponds with the adjusted point.

Shape Length

Double

The length of the adjustment vector from the parcel fabric point to its adjusted point location (coordinate system units).

Parcel fabric domains

When a parcel fabric is created, the following domains are added to the geodatabase:

DomainAliasDescription

PF_AdjustmentConstraint

Parcel Fabric Adjustment Point Constraint

Specifies how the point will behave in a least -squares adjustment. Use XY free, Z constrained if the point is a free, floating point or a weighted control point. Use XYZ constrained if the point is fixed and does not move.

PF_AreaUnits

Parcel Fabric Area Units

The units used for the stated area.

PF_COGOAccuracy

Parcel Fabric Accuracy

The accuracy level of the record, line, or parcel. It is based on the accuracy of the COGO dimensions.

PF_COGOType

Parcel Fabric COGO Type

The most recent source of the COGO dimensions. Use the value Entered if the dimensions were entered, for example, using the traverse tool. Use From Geometry if the dimensions are generated from the line geometry, for example, the Update COGO tool. Use Computed if the dimensions are derived from other dimensions, for example, a parcel merge or parcel split.

PF_YesNo

Parcel Fabric Yes No

True or false.

PF_LabelPosition

Parcel Fabric Label Position

Indicates if the label position is to the left or right of the parcel line or is centered over the parcel line.

Validation Status

Validation Status

The different types of validation statuses for a feature.