Subdivision: Major

What is a major subdivision?

A major subdivision is the division of land into: (1) 11 or more residential lots or (2) any number of nonresidential lots.

The Conservation Subdivisions option is required for any residential subdivisions of 35 or more lots. Please see the Land Development Code Ordinance for more information regarding the requirements and additional density bonuses. 

How do I request a major subdivision? 

The process for requesting a major subdivision varies by number and use of lots. One of the first steps to starting the major subdivision process is contacting the Planning Department to provide some general details regarding your project. Depending on the status of your proposed project, we can schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss your project details with staff. 

Any major subdivision requires a Subdivision Application and plan of the project (Master Plan, Development Plan, or a Combined Master and Development Plan). Other requirements are dependent on a certain density threshold outlines below with the corresponding documents. We cannot proceed with a review of any submitted materials until the pre-application meeting as been conducted. 

Visit the Application Submittal Dates document for when you can submit your application. 

Are major subdivisions approved administratively? 

It depends. Depending on the threshold of the proposed lots, the subdivision will have to be approved by the Technical Review Committee (TRC) (administrative), Planning Board (legislative), or Board of Commissioners (legislative) for the approval of any application. 

Provided below is a chart of the approval body of major subdivisions. 

I have an approved major subdivision. Now what? 

No work can begin on the project until a development plan has been approved. Once the roads and other infrastructure have been completed, the applicant can record lots.  The process for recording individual lots within a major subdivision requires the submission of a plat completed by the surveyor and/or engineer. Staff will conduct an inspection to make sure all the required infrastructure is installed. An Improvement Guarantee Application may be requested when the infrastructure has not yet been completed.