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

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 alias	Data type	Description
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 alias	Data type	Description
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:

• Shape_Area
• Stated Area
• Stated Area Unit
• Calculated Area

• The Shape_Area field stores the area calculated from the polygon shape geometry. If the shape of the polygon changes, the shape area is updated. The 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 Calculated Area field stores the area computed from the corresponding lines' COGO dimensions (if they exist). The value is stored in ground and 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 field stores the area stated on the parcel record document. It can be manually provided or it can be computed by a parcel edit. It can be in a different unit from the default area unit (from the projection).
• The Stated Area Unit field stores the unit of the stated area on the parcel record document. If the provided stated area is in units that are different from the default area units (from the projection), the stated area unit must be manually set.

The Stated Area field works as follows:

• If no unit has been provided for Stated Area Unit, the value in the Stated Area field is assumed to be in the default units, which are obtained from the spatial reference of the feature dataset.
• When parcels are merged, the stated area of the merged parcel will be the sum (addition) of the stated areas of the input parcels, if they exist.
• When a parcel is clipped from another parcel, the stated area of the remainder parcel is the difference (subtraction) between the stated area of the parent parcel and the stated area of the clipping parcel (if they exist).
• When a parcel is divided, the stated areas of the divided parcels is computed from the proportional division of the parent parcel (if it exists) using the dividing lines.
• The value of the Stated Area field can be modified at any time to reflect the area on the parcel record.

Tip:

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 alias	Data type	Description
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 name	Data type	Description
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 alias	Data type	Description
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 alias	Data type	Description
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 alias	Data type	Description
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, Geodetic Latitude, Geodetic Azimuth, or Ellipsoid Arc Distance.
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 alias	Data type	Description
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 alias	Data type	Description
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:

Domain	Alias	Description
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.

Learn more about changing the schema of a parcel fabric published as a feature service