Planning Department

Obtaining Subdivision Approval

Before land may be divided to create a subdivision, approval must be granted by the County Planning Commission or Director of Planning through the procedure known as subdivision processing.  This process is governed by the Chesterfield County Subdivision Ordinance.

The first step in the process is for the applicant to schedule a meeting with a member of the Planning Department staff.   This may be done by contacting the Planning Department.  The office is located in the Chesterfield County Administration Building, Room 203.

After a tentative subdivision plan is prepared, the applicant submits twelve (12) paper copies plus one reduced copy 8 1/2 X 11; a 600 scale map of tentative if Planning Commission approval is sought along with the required fee to the Planning Department.  The tentative plans are then distributed to the Environmental Engineering Department, Transportation Department, Health Department, Utilities Department, House Numbering, Parks and Recreation, School Administration and Virginia Department of Transportation for their respective review and comments.  If a plan is to be reviewed and approved by the County Planning Commission, a staff report is prepared by staff and transmitted along with the tentative plans to the Planning Commission.  The applicant also received a copy of the staff report and recommendation.  If the plan is to be reviewed and approved by the Director of Planning, a letter of approval is prepared by staff and sent to the applicant.

Review Procedures:

• Planning Commission Review.   The tentative subdivision plan is reviewed at a once-a-month public hearing.   At this time, the Planning Department staff presents each subdivision proposal.   Upon presentation of each case, the Commission may take action in one of three ways:
  1. Approve such tentative plat, if such plat is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter; or
  2. Approve the plat subject to modifications; or
  3. Deny the tentative plan.

• Administrative Review.   The Planning staff will review the tentative plan within thirty (30) days of the submission date.  After receipt of recommendations, the Director of Planning shall either:
  1. Approve such tentative plat, if such plat is in conformity with the provisions of the Subdivision Ordinance; or
  2. Approve the plat subject to modifications; or
  3. Deny the tentative plat.

Written findings giving specific reasons for disapproval shall be reported to the subdivider within thirty (30) days after the receipt of a completed tentative plat.  A letter of approval with appropriate changes and conditions is sent to the applicant and his designated representative.

If approval is granted, the applicant has a period of five (5) years in which to complete the process of final approval and record the subdivision.  This final plan must comply with any change or conditions required by the Planning Commission or Director of Planning.

If the applicant wishes to record all or part of the tentative plan, he must make any changes to comply with conditions imposed by the Planning Commission and he may submit a final check plat.  Eight (8) paper copies of the plat and processing fee are submitted to the Planning Department for final check and approval.  These plats are distributed to the aforementioned departments and agencies for their review.  Plans for road layout, utilities, drainage and erosion control must be approved by the Environmental Engineering Department and the Utilities Department.  Within sixty (60) days of submission, the Director of Planning approves or denies the final check plat.  The applicant will then receive one (1) copy with a note to make corrections, if necessary.

In order to record the subdivision, the applicant must submit to the Planning Department:

1. Linen or paper print and
2. Transparencies (photographic positive polyester film) for appropriate signatures.  When the record plat has been signed by County officials, the Planning Department records the plat. 

Once recordation if complete, the applicant may commence development.

Additional information which may assist you are the publications entitled:

• Chesterfield County Zoning Ordinance
• Chesterfield County Subdivision Ordinance