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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
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.
Preliminary Plat Submittal
The preliminary plat is a concept level plan showing all lots and roads, the design approach for utilities and stormwater management, and other overall details that establish the ultimate build-out of the subdivision.
(Note: If the subdivision is 50 lots or less and no exceptions are needed to the subdivision ordinance, the developer can choose to skip the step for preliminary plat submittal and go directly to construction plan submittal.)
Prepare County and State Checklists and Submit Plan Documents
Consultant prepares preliminary plat addressing county and state checklists, submits plan documents through ELM and delivers two hard copies of plans to the Planning Department.
- Fire Flow Estimate Form (PDF)
- First Glance Checklist - Preliminary Subdivision Plats (PDF)
- Investigation Worksheet for Graves, Memorials and Places of Burial Form (PDF)
- Plat Requirements Checklist (PDF)
- Richmond Regional Street Name Approval Letter
- Site Utilization Form (PDF)
- Special Limited Power of Attorney (PDF)
- Submittal Checklist (PDF)
- VDOT Subdivision Plan Checklist - Richmond District (PDF)
First Glance Review
The county will complete a First Glance review to ensure plans are complete using the First Glance Checklist - Preliminary Subdivision Plats (PDF) within five days of the preliminary plat submittal. The consultant will be told what to fix, if necessary.
Payment of Fees
Once the county completes the First Glance review, an invoice is entered into ELM for owner to pay fees (PDF).
First Review and Pre-Conference Notifications
After payment of fees, county staff performs first review (typically within 21-25 days). The consultant can then retrieve all comments from the ELM portal and prepare for the mandatory virtual staff/developer conference. Planning staff will schedule the virtual conference date and notify the consultant and applicant. Planning staff will complete public notification with signs posted at the site and postcards mailed to adjacent property owners.
Virtual Staff/Developer Conference
Virtual staff/developer conferences are held via Microsoft Teams on Thursdays and last about 45 minutes. At this meeting, the consultant and the applicant are able to ask questions and seek clarification regarding county staff comments to the submitted plans.
Resubmittal(s)
The consultant resubmits plans through ELM portal and receives comments with each review period lasting about 21-25 days. No other staff/developer conferences are required but can be requested if issues are not resolved. Additional review fees are required for fourth and subsequent plan submittals. The last review can be a table review (five-day turnaround) to address minor outstanding comments.
Full Approval
A letter of approval is provided outlining the full approval of the preliminary plat, all conditions and notes from the review, and the time period it is vested. The preliminary plat does not allow for any construction to begin; construction can only begin with an approved subdivision construction plan.
Preliminary Plat Vesting
Preliminary plat approval is initially vested for three years unless a construction plan is submitted and approved. If a construction plan is approved, the approval of the preliminary plat is extended to five years total. If a final plat is reviewed and recorded prior to the expiration of this five-year vesting period, then the preliminary plat is approved for an additional five years after recordation. Subsequent construction plans and final plats can further extend the approval of the preliminary plat if accomplished within each five-year vesting period.
Construction Plan Submittal
The construction plan is the detailed set of plans that shows how everything is to be built and the final design of the lots to be developed. This set of plans can be submitted only after approval of the preliminary plat. Submittal of the construction plan follows very similar steps as the preliminary plat process. The only difference is that the construction plan process does not include public notification.
Prepare County and State Checklists and Submit Plan Documents
Consultant prepares construction plan addressing county and state checklists, submits plan documents through ELM and delivers two hard copies of plans to the Planning Department.
- Fire Flow Estimate Form (PDF)
- First Glance Checklist - Construction Plan (PDF)
- Investigation Worksheet for Graves, Memorials and Places of Burial Form (PDF)
- Plat Requirements Checklist (PDF)
- Richmond Regional Street Name Approval Letter
- Site Utilization Form (PDF)
- Special Limited Power of Attorney (PDF)
- Submittal Checklist (PDF)
- VDOT Subdivision Plan Checklist - Richmond District (PDF)
First Glance Review
The county will complete a First Glance review to ensure plans are complete using the First Glance Checklist - Construction Plan (PDF) within five days of the construction plan submittal. The consultant will be told what to fix, if necessary.
Payment of Fees
Once the county completes the First Glance review, an invoice is entered into ELM for owner to pay fees (PDF).
First Review and Pre-Conference Notifications
After payment of fees, county staff performs first review (typically within 21-25 days). The consultant can then retrieve all comments from the ELM portal and prepare for the mandatory virtual staff/developer conference. Planning staff will schedule the virtual conference date and notify the consultant and applicant.
Virtual Staff/Developer Conference
Virtual staff/developer conferences are held via Microsoft Teams on Thursdays and last about 45 minutes. At this meeting, the consultant and the applicant are able to ask questions and seek clarification regarding county staff comments to the submitted plans.
Resubmittal(s)
The consultant resubmits plans through ELM portal and receives comments with each review period lasting about 21-25 days. No other staff/developer conferences are required but can be requested if issues are not resolved. Additional review fees are required for fourth and subsequent plan submittals The last review can be a table review (five-day turnaround) to address minor outstanding comments.
Full Approval
The submitted construction plan receives full approval from the county once all county and state review comments are addressed. Please note, that the consultant and applicant must also receive these related approvals to start construction:
- Land disturbance permit in ELM portal (from Environmental Engineering prior to construction)
- Utilities connections in ELM portal (from Utilities for water and sewer components of development)
- VDOT Land Use Permit (PDF) (for any work within the public right-of-way)
Final Plat Submittal
The final plat is the document that establishes the legal boundaries for all lots and common areas, rights of way, and easements along with related requirements such as bonding of roads and establishment of a homeowners association (HOA) for management of common area. The final plat can be submitted anytime after approval of the construction plan.
Submittal of the final plat follows 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.
Prepare County and State Checklists and Submit Plan Documents
Consultant prepares final plat addressing county and state checklists, submits plan documents through ELM.
Payment of Fees
An invoice is entered into ELM for owner to pay fees (PDF).
First Review
After payment of fees, county staff performs first review (within 14 days). The consultant can then retrieve all comments from the ELM portal.
Resubmittal(s)
The consultant resubmits the final plat through ELM portal until the subdivision review team is satisfied that all information in the plat is correct. Resubmittals shall be provided within one year of receipt of the previous review comments for the plat application to remain active.
Signed Plat Submittal
The consultant delivers two hard copies of the final plat with all owner, consultant, and notary signatures to the Planning Department to prepare the plat for recordation. The consultant completes all other related documents, bonds and fees that are required with the plat. All other documents that require recordation with the plat shall be signed and submitted to the county along with any associated recordation fees.
The signed plat is scanned by Planning and routed to the subdivision review team for one last check that all information is correct and notates in ELM when all related documents, bonds and fees are complete.
Final Approval and Recordation
Once the Planning case manager verifies that all county and state agencies have approved the signed plat for recordation, the plat will be processed for final approval signatures from Planning and Environmental Engineering. Once signed, the plat is taken to the Circuit Court for recordation.
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
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.
Final Approval and Recordation
Once the plat is signed by the applicant, the Planning case manager will sign the plat and take it to the Circuit Court for recordation.
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.
- Prepare and Submit Plan Documents
- Payment of Fees
- First Review
- Resubmittal(s)
- Signed Plat Submittal
- 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.
Payment of Fees
An invoice is entered into ELM for owner to pay fees (PDF).
First Review
After payment of fees, county staff performs first review (within 14 calendar days). The consultant can then retrieve all comments from the ELM portal.
Residential parcel subdivisions shall be reviewed by the Planning and the following departments, as applicable:
- Environmental Engineering for review of storm drainage and environmental features authorized by the county code. Additional environmental determinations such as a resource protection area determination or stormwater compliance plan, may be required.
- Fire Marshal to verify compliance with Chapter 10, Fire Protection Code and Sec. 17-76 for street access requirements.
- Health if any proposed lot or parcel would be served by private wells or onsite sewage systems. Soil report will be required if they property is on private wells or onsite sewage systems.
- Real Property Office for street right-of-way dedication and utility easement review.
- Transportation if any proposed lot or parcel abuts an existing street. Right-of-way shall be dedicated along existing streets adjacent to all proposed lots or parcels, as required.
- Utilities if any proposed lot or parcel would be served by public water or sewer.
Resubmittal(s)
The consultant resubmits the final plat through ELM portal until the subdivision review team is satisfied that all information in the plat is correct. Resubmittals shall be provided within one year of receipt of the previous review comments for the plat application to remain active.
Signed Plat Submittal
The consultant delivers two hard copies of the final plat with all owner, consultant and notary signatures to the Planning Department to prepare the plat for recordation. The consultant completes all other related documents, bonds and fees that are required with the plat. All other documents that require recordation with the plat shall be signed and submitted to the county along with any associated recordation fees.
The signed plat is scanned by Planning and routed to the subdivision review team for final review that all information is correct and notates in ELM when all related documents, bonds and fees are complete.
Final Approval and Recordation
Once the Planning case manager verifies that all county and state agencies have approved the plat for recordation, the plat will be processed for final approval signatures from Planning and Environmental Engineering. Once signed, the plat is taken to the Circuit Court for recordation.
Plans Review Resources
- Cash Bond Acceptance Form (PDF) (Must be submitted with cash or check bonds)
- Landscape Maintenance Guarantee (PDF)
- Letter of Credit Note (PDF) (Must be on bank letterhead)
- Notice of No Second Dwelling (PDF)
- Plant Material List - Commercial (PDF)
- Plant Material List - Residential (PDF)
- Site Improvement Performance Bond Form (PDF)