Subdivision of land
Subdivisions are classified as either a Minor Subdivision, requiring only a plat, or a Major Subdivision, requiring both a plat and subdivision site plan.
Minor subdivisions are the division of a single parcel into two lots, relocation of one or more boundary lines where no additional lots are created, or vacating one or more boundary lines which results in creation of one or two lots. Any subdivision not classified as Minor Subdivision is classified as a Major Subdivision.
Pre-submission Requirements
A Minor Subdivision generally does not require a pre-submission conference. The surveyor should consult with Development Review staff to confirm the action can be classified as a Minor Subdivision
Application Requirements
- Completed Subdivision Plat Review Application
- Subdivision Plat prepared by a licensed surveyor. *
- Closure computations *
- For a more detailed list of what is required on a subdivision plat, please reference Section B-3, Appendix B, of Chapter 31.1, Subdivisions, of the City Code.
* Plats, plans, and documents must be submitted in digital format.
Review Process
The subdivision plat will be distributed to appropriate City departments/divisions for review and approval. This section not only does the review for subdivision compliance, but it also coordinates the review with 9 other divisions and departments: Zoning, Building, Fire and EMS, Environmental, Engineering, Transportation, Commissioner of the Revenue, Real Estate, and the Western Virginia Water Authority. All of these entities must approve the subdivision plat prior to approval and recordation. The City will review the proposed subdivision within 12 business days.
Professional Surveyor
The professional surveyor will survey the property, prepare the subdivision plat, and make all necessary submissions to the City. The City will review the plat for accuracy and compliance with existing state and city regulations, and will contact the surveyor and owner if revision or correction to the plat is necessary. A response letter must be submitted with the resubmission and it must clearly identity, in detail, what action was taken for each comment, and be numbered/sectioned similar to the comment letter.
Ensure any questions or discussions regarding the comments take place before resubmission. If an essential part of the resubmission, such as the response letter, revised computations, or revised plat is not included, the submission will not be reviewed and will be returned as incomplete. A letter will be sent to the designer and owner notifying them that the resubmission is incomplete and not adequate for review. Resubmission of a subdivision plat must be submitted with a Submission of Additional Information Form (PDF).
Subdivision plats are reviewed for compliance with the following codes:
Visit the City of Roanoke's Real Estate GIS page to determine your property's zoning designation.
Approval Process
Once the subdivision plat is determined to be in compliance with the Codes, and any documentation being required is received, the City will send notification to the designer and owner that the executed reproducible copies may be delivered to the City for signing. Mylars are no longer required.
Once the approval signatures have been executed on the reproducible copies, the will need to be picked up from our office and taken to the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court to be recorded. Once recorded, reproducible copy and 10 folded paper copies of the recorded plat must then be returned to this office by your Agent. The subdivision plat will not be considered approved until the recorded copies have been received.
Fees
A fee of $150 is due at time of application.
Expiration
Recordation must occur within 6 months from the date of the city's signature or become null and void.
Pre-submission Requirements
- Land Disturbance Permit Application
- Right-of-Way Excavation Permit
- Subdivision Site Plan
Application Requirements
- Completed Subdivision Plat Review Application.
- Subdivision plat prepared by a licensed surveyor *
- Closure computations prepared by a licensed surveyor *
- Fee (see below)
* Plats, plans, and documents must be submitted in digital format.
For a more detailed list of what is required on a subdivision plat, please reference Section B-3, Appendix B, of Chapter 31.1, Subdivisions, of the City Code.
Review Process
The subdivision plat will be distributed to the appropriate City departments/divisions for review and approval. This section not only does the review for subdivision compliance, but it also coordinates the review with 9 other divisions and departments: Zoning, Building, Fire and EMS, Environmental, Engineering, Transportation, Commissioner of the Revenue, Real Estate, and the Western Virginia Water Authority. All of these entities must approve the subdivision plat prior to approval and recordation. The City will approve or deny the proposed subdivision within a period of 12 business days for the initial date of submission.
Professional Surveyor
The professional surveyor will survey the property, prepare the subdivision plat, and make all necessary submissions to the City. The City will review the plat for accuracy and compliance with existing state and city regulations, and will contact the surveyor and owner if revision or correction to the plat is necessary. A response letter must be submitted with the resubmission and it must clearly identity, in detail, what action was taken for each comment, and be numbered/sectioned similar to the comment letter.
Ensure any questions or discussions regarding the comments take place before resubmission. If an essential part of the resubmission, such as the response letter, revised computations, or revised plat is not included, the submission will not be reviewed and will be returned as incomplete. A letter will be sent to the designer and owner notifying them that the resubmission is incomplete and not adequate for review. Resubmission of a subdivision plat must be submitted with a Submission of Additional Information Form (PDF).
Subdivision plats are reviewed for compliance with the following codes:
Visit the City of Roanoke's Real Estate GIS page to determine your property's zoning designation.
Approval Process
Once the subdivision plat is determined to be in compliance with the Codes, and any documentation being required is received, the City will send notification to the designer and owner that the executed reproducible copies may be delivered to the City for signing. Mylars are not required.
Once the approval signatures have been executed on the reproducible copies, they will need to be picked up from our office and taken to the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court to be recorded. Once recorded, reproducible copy and 10 folded paper copies of the recorded plat must then be returned to this office by your Agent. The subdivision plat will not be considered approved until the recorded copies have been received.
Fees
Plat review $220 + $50.00 per lot
Site plan review: $500 + $75/acre of developed area
Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Review Fee, if applicable
Stormwater Management Plan Review Fee, if applicable
Expiration
Recordation must occur within 6 months from the date of the Subdivision Agent's signature or the approval is voided.
Effective July 1, 2015, a pre-submission meeting with staff is required to ensure all required components of the project are being addressed adequately. A pre-submission meeting may be scheduled through the City of Roanoke's Development Review Coordinator.
Application Requirements
- Completed Subdivision Site Plan Review Application.
- Subdivision Plat (see requirements on this page) *
For a more detailed list of what is required on a subdivision site plan, please reference Sections B-4, Appendix B, of Chapter 31.1, Subdivisions, of the City Code.
Review Process
The Development Review Division of the Planning, Building, and Development Department conducts review for stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and subdivision ordinance compliance in addition to coordinating the review of 9 other divisions and departments:
- Building
- Economic Development
- Engineering
- Environmental
- Fire and EMS
- Solid Waste
- Transportation
- Western Virginia Water Authority
- Zoning
All of these entities must approve the subdivision site plan prior to issuance of any permits. Upon completion of the review, comments will be forwarded by email to the applicant/owner for a response and/or revision of the submission. Responses and revisions are reviewed within 12 business days.
Resubmission of Subdivision Site Plan
A resubmission of a subdivision site plan must be submitted with a Submission of Additional Information Form. A response letter must be submitted with the resubmission and it must clearly identify, in detail, what action was taken for each comment, and be numbered/sectioned similar to the comment letter. Ensure any questions or discussions regarding the comments take place before resubmission.
If an essential part of the resubmission, such as the response letter, revised calculations, or revised plans is not included, the submission will not be reviewed and will be returned as incomplete. A letter will be sent to the designer and owner notifying them that the resubmission is incomplete and not adequate for review.
Compliance Codes
Subdivision Site Plans are reviewed for compliance with the following codes:
- Chapter 36.2, Zoning Code, City of Roanoke
- Chapter 31.1, Subdivision Code, City of Roanoke
- Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance
- Stormwater Management Ordinance
Approval Process
A copy of the approved Subdivision Site Plan will be issued at the pre-construction conference for land disturbance. The following items must be completed before the subdivision site plan can be approved:
- Land Subdividers Agreement, executed and approved by the City Attorney's Office and the Department of Finance.
- A project surety must be posted with the City of Roanoke. If the applicant chooses to post a project surety in the form of a Letter of Credit or an Insurance Bond, the standard forms must be used. However, the applicant has the choice of posting cash for the project surety - this would need to be in the form of a certified check from a lending institution.
- Stormwater Management Maintenance Agreement, executed and recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, where applicable.
- Subdivision Plat must be approved, executed, and recorded.