How to Subdivide Property

Homeowners who want to make a profit off their existing property and real estate investors who are looking for a sweet deal often contemplate how to subdivide property. There is not a universal process for subdividing property, nor are the laws and regulations the same from one state or county to the next. Contacting your local planning and development office is the best way to get specifics for your area; however, this article covers some of the basic steps included in subdividing property.

Steps

1. Do a title search on the property. If you already own the property you want to subdivide, you should already have had a title search done on the property. However, if you are purchasing the property new, it is important to make sure that there are no liens against the property.
2. Contact your county’s planning and development office for information regarding rules and regulations about lot restrictions and other zoning ordinances. Every county has regulations about public streets, lot design, minimum lot size requirements and the steps necessary to get the subdivision process started.
3. Coordinate with an engineer or architect to come up with a plan for how you want to divide the property. This will include how the roads and utilities should be run as well as how many subdivisions should be made to the property.
4. Have a survey completed by a land surveyor. The cost of having the property surveyed will vary greatly, depending on your geographical location and the size of your property.
   
   • Compare the surveyor’s findings with county records of the current property. Your surveyor may do this for you, or you can request records from the county.
   • Stake out divided areas. The land surveyor will do this, taking into consideration utility easements, septic areas, room for streets or driveways and more.
   • Create a plat, or a certified survey map, for the property, which also must be done by the surveyor or engineer.
5. Apply for a planning permit with your county’s planning commission. Although requirements for planning permit applications vary from state-to-state and county-to-county, some of the items that planning commissions may require are:
   
   • A completed permit application.
   • An application fee, which is determined by the county where you reside or have purchased property to subdivide.
   • A copy of the property title.
   • A copy of the survey map for subdivision.
6. Wait for approval from the county for your subdivision. If there are any amendments to the proposed subdivision, they will likely have to be addressed and resubmitted. If there are any environmental concerns, your county may also require that you submit your plans for subdivision to your local health department.

Tips

• Be aware that when you subdivide property, some states and counties will require utilities and roads to be installed before you can sell the land.
• It is a good idea to consult with a local attorney who has dealt with your county’s zoning and subdivision laws. They may be able to help you prepare your documents and deal with any amendments to your proposed subdivision.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Subdivide Property. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.