(a) General rule.--Plats and plans are a part of the declaration. Separate plats and plans are not required by this subpart if all the information required by this section is contained in either a plat or plan. Each plat and plan must be clear and legible. The plats and plans must contain, on the first page of the plats and plans, a certification that all of the plats and plans contain all information required by this section.

(b) Contents of plat.--Each plat must show all of the following:
(1) The name, location and dimensions of the planned community.
(2) The location and dimensions of all existing improvements.
(3) The intended location and dimensions of any contemplated improvement to be constructed anywhere within the planned community labeled with "MUST BE BUILT" or "NEED NOT BE BUILT." Contemplated improvements within the boundaries of convertible real estate need not be shown, but, if contemplated improvements within the boundaries of convertible real estate are shown, they must be labeled "MUST BE BUILT" or "NEED NOT BE BUILT."
(4) The location and dimensions of any convertible real estate, labeled as such.
(5) The location and dimensions of any withdrawable real estate, labeled as such.
(6) The location and dimensions of any additional real estate, labeled as such.
(7) The extent of any encroachments by or upon any portion of the planned community.
(8) To the extent feasible, the location and dimensions of all easements serving or burdening any portion of the planned community.
(9) The location and dimensions of any vertical unit boundaries not shown or projected on plans recorded under subsection (c) and that unit's identifying number.
(10) The location with reference to an established datum of any horizontal unit boundaries not shown or projected on plans recorded under subsection (c) and that unit's identifying number.
(11) The location and dimensions of any real estate in which the unit owners will own only an estate for years, labeled as "leasehold real estate."
(12) The distance between noncontiguous parcels of real estate comprising the planned community.
(13) The location and dimensions of limited common elements, including porches, balconies and patios, other than parking spaces and the other limited common elements described in section 5202 (relating to unit boundaries) not shown on plans referred to in subsection (c).
(14) All other matters customarily shown on land surveys.

(c) Contents of plans.--To the extent not shown or projected on the plats, plans of every building that contains or comprises all or part of any unit and is located or must be built within a portion of the planned community, other than within the boundaries of any convertible real estate, must show all of the following:
(1) The location and dimensions of the vertical boundaries of each unit, to the extent those boundaries lie within or coincide with the boundaries of the building in which the unit is located, and that unit's identifying number.
(2) Any horizontal unit boundaries, with reference to an established datum not shown on plats recorded under subsection (b), and that unit's identifying number.
(3) Any units that may be converted by the declarant to create additional units or common elements under section 5215 (relating to subdivision or conversion of units), identified appropriately.
(4) The location and dimensions of limited common elements, including porches, balconies and patios, other than parking spaces and other limited common elements described in sections 5202 and 5209 (relating to limited common elements) not shown on plats recorded under subsection (b).

(d) Horizontal boundaries of unit partly outside building.--Unless the declaration provides otherwise, the horizontal boundaries of part of a unit located outside of a building have the same elevation as the horizontal boundaries of the inside part and need not be depicted on the plats and plans.

(e) Converting or adding real estate.--Upon converting convertible real estate or adding additional real estate taking action under section 5211 (relating to conversion and expansion of flexible planned communities), the declarant shall record new plats for that real estate conforming to the requirements of subsection (b) and new plans for any buildings on that real estate conforming to the requirements of subsection (c). If less than all of any convertible real estate is being converted, the new plats must also show the location and dimensions of any remaining portion.

(f) Converting units.--If a declarant converts any unit into two or more units or limited common elements or both under section 5215, the declarant shall record new plats and plans showing the location and dimensions of any new units and limited common elements thus created, as well as the location and dimension of any portion of that space not being converted.

(g) Alternative recording.--Instead of recording new plats and plans as required by subsections (e) and (f), the declarant may record new certifications of plats and plans previously recorded if those plats and plans show all improvements required by subsections (e) and (f).

(h) Who may make certifications.--Any certification of a plat or plan required by this section must be made by an independent registered surveyor, architect or professional engineer.

(i) Land development plans.--Final plans filed with and approved by a municipality in connection with any land development approvals may serve as plats and plans required under this section if:
(1) all of the contents required under subsections (b) and (c) are contained either in such final plans or in the declaration by specific reference to such plans;
(2) such final plans have been recorded; and
(3) a certification in accordance with subsection (a) is recorded and the certification specifies the recording information for final plans.