Subdivision Review

Planning reviews and makes recommendations relating to subdivisions (commercial and residential) requests. View the subdivision ordinance. The subdivision processes serve to legally subdivide property in Chesterfield County. The processes include the following categories:

  • Lot Subdivisions
  • Validated Plats
  • Amended Plats, Family Subdivisions, Line Modifications and Residential Parcel Subdivisions

Lot Subdivisions

Lot subdivisions include division of any parcel of land into two or more lots for the purpose of transfer of ownership or development for residential use or residential townhouse use.

Lot Subdivisions Process

  1. Inquiry Meeting
  2. Preliminary Plat
  3. Construction Plan
  4. Final Plat

Inquiry Meeting

To begin the lot subdivision review process, the first step is to obtain county and state input on the initial concept plan for the subdivision. 

To do this, file an inquiry request through the Enterprise Land Management (ELM) citizen access portal (under Planning, Submit an Application, Planning: Other, Inquiry Meeting) using the inquiry questionnaire (PDF). A virtual inquiry meeting (scheduled for Thursday mornings) will be held with the subdivision review team, the developer and the consultant to discuss the inquiry request.

Validation Plats

A validation plat is a plat used to correct improper recordation or subdivision pursuant to article II, division 4, sec. 17-60 of the subdivision ordinance (PDF).

Lots or parcels that were subdivided or modified prior to Feb. 28, 2001, without completing a subdivision process with Planning may be deemed invalid if they do not meet the lot or parcel standards in place at the time of the subdivision or modification. Lots or parcels deemed invalid are ineligible to receive a building permit. The validation plat process provides property owners the opportunity to validate property created or modified in violation of the subdivision ordinance in effect prior to Feb. 28, 2001.

To be eligible for a validation plat, the lot or parcel must contain no additional divisions or alterations done on or after Feb. 28, 2001 and it meet all requirements of the applicable zoning district at the time it was created (or the property owner must secure relief from those requirements).

Validation Plats Process

  1. Submit Application and Plan Documents
  2. Final Approval and Recordation

Submit Application and Plan Documents

The applicant submits a current mortgage survey or current survey plat through ELM. Planning will review the plat and provide comment within five days of submittal. If the survey is suitable, Planning will create a plat and notify the applicant that the plat is available for the needed in-person signature.

Amended Plats, Family Subdivisions, Line Modifications and Residential Parcel Subdivisions

A recorded final plat may only be altered through an amended or line modification plat as defined in Sec. 17-85. Plats which involve changes to a lot subdivision shall be reviewed as provided in Sec. 17-48, as applicable. Plats which involve changes to a parcel subdivision shall be reviewed as provided in Sec. 17-51 or Sec. 17-52, as applicable.

Amended Plats

An amended plat is an alteration of a recorded plat or portion thereof which does not involve a change in property lines. Amendments may include, but are not limited to, name changes and typographical corrections relating to text, metes and bounds descriptions, coordinate points, floodplain limits, wetland limits, RPA lines, setback lines, drainage easements, buffers, incorrectly numbered lots or parcels.

Family Subdivisions

A family subdivision final plat provides for the subdivision of land for eligible family members through the parcel plat process in accordance with county ordinance Sec. 17-52 and Sec. 17-85 (PDF). The family subdivision final plat is the document that establishes the legal boundaries for all parcels, rights of way and easements.

To be eligible for a family subdivision final plat, the owner requesting the subdivision shall have owned the plat for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the application filing. Recipients of a family subdivision parcel shall be immediate family members, which is defined as any person who is a natural or legally defined offspring, stepchild, spouse, sibling, grandchild, grandparent or parent of the owner. Lots or parcels created through a family subdivision shall be titled in the name of the original recipient for whom the subdivision is made for a period of not less than five years. The parent parcel shall remain titled in the name of the grantor for a period of not less than five years.

To initiate a family subdivision, review the family subdivision checklist (PDF) and contact Planning by calling 804-748-1050.

Line Modifications

A line modification final plat is the adjustment of one or more lot or parcel lines within a recorded subdivision that does not result in the creation of one or more additional lots or parcels in accordance with Sec. 17-26 and Sec. 17-85. Line modifications may include, but are not limited to, combining lots or parcels, apportioning an existing lot or parcel between existing adjacent lots or parcels, and alterations of lot or parcel lines. A line modification shall not be deemed to establish a new lot or parcel creation date.

Residential Parcel Subdivisions

A residential parcel subdivision final plat involves the subdivision of land for which a preliminary plat is not required, into two or more parcels each being five acres or more, each having 250 feet or more of state maintained road frontage, and each having a 250 foot width maintained for the depth required to create a five acre parcel in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 17-51 and Sec. 17-85. The residential parcel subdivision final plat is the document that establishes the legal boundaries for all parcels, rights of way and easements.

Amended Plats, Family Subdivisions, Line Modifications and Residential Parcel Subdivisions Processes

Amended plats, family subdivisions, line modifications and residential parcel subdivisions all follow an abbreviated review process that skips first glance review; does not involve submitting any hard copies with each review; each review of the plat has a review period of 14 days; there is no mandatory staff/developer meeting after the first review; and there is no public notification of the final plat submittal.

  1. Prepare and Submit Plan Documents
  2. Payment of Fees
  3. First Review
  4. Resubmittal(s)
  5. Signed Plat Submittal
  6. Final Approval and Recordation

Prepare County Checklists and Submit Plan Documents

Consultant prepares final plat addressing county and state checklists, submits plan documents through ELM.