When a parcel fabric is created, a geodatabase topology is also created. The parcel fabric uses a set of predefined geodatabase topology rules and parcel rules to define parcels and model their behavior. Geodatabase topology rules define the spatial relationships between parcel features, and parcel rules define behavior that is specific to parcel features.
The parcel fabric topology is validated against the predefined set of geodatabase topology rules and parcel rules. You can define additional topology rules and attribute rules to enforce data quality standards in your organization.
Learn more about adding attribute rules
Parcel type behavior can also be defined by adding different geodatabase topology rules and attribute rules. For example, certain parcel types, such as easement parcels, can be allowed to overlap, whereas other parcel types are not allowed to overlap. Parcel fabric data quality can be assessed by validating edits against the required and additional rules.
When a parcel fabric is created, parcel fabric feature classes are added to the parcel fabric topology and the required topology rules are applied.
Run the Disable Parcel Topology geoprocessing tool to remove topology rules from the parcel fabric feature classes. Run the Enable Parcel Topology geoprocessing tool to reenable the parcel fabric topology.
Tip:
When disabling parcel topology, only parcel rules are disabled. User-added rules are not disabled.Dirty areas
When the topology is enabled, dirty areas become active. Dirty areas are created when data is added to or modified in the parcel fabric and indicate that the data has not been validated in the parcel fabric topology.
Dirty areas track the size and shape of the area in which an edit took place, as well as the type of edit, the GlobalID of features participating in the edit, and the editor who performed the edit. A dirty area is represented by a purple translucent square or rectangle. The extent of a dirty area is determined by the shape of the feature that was edited. If a feature's geometry is modified, two dirty areas are generated for the single feature. One represents the envelope of the feature's previous geometry, and the other represents the feature's new geometry.
Dirty areas are added to the map as a sublayer of the parcel fabric layer and can be symbolized and visualized in the same way as any other layer.
When the extent of features covered by dirty areas is validated, the dirty areas are removed.
Topology rules
The parcel fabric is validated against a required set of parcel rules and geodatabase topology rules. You can define additional topology rules to enforce data quality and model parcel type behavior. For example, you can allow some parcel types (such as right-of-ways) to overlap, but add the Must Not Overlap rule for other parcel types.
The parcel fabric uses the required rules described below.
Parcel rules
- Parcel Lines/Polygons - Must Have A Record
Geodatabase topology rules
- Lines - Endpoint Must Be Covered By - Points
- Lines - Must Not Have Dangles
- Lines - Must Not Self-Overlap
- Lines - Must Not Self-Intersect
- Lines - Must Be Covered By Boundary Of - Polygons
- Polygon - Boundary Must Be Covered By - Lines
To add a new geodatabase topology rule, complete the following steps:
- Right-click the parcel fabric topology in the Catalog pane and click Properties.
- On the Topology Properties dialog box, click the Rules tab.
- Click Add, or click Click here to add a new rule in the last row of the grid to create an empty row.
- Build new rules or parcel fabric features using the drop-down menu in each column.
Learn more about topology properties
Learn more about geodatabase topology rules for point, line, and polygon features.