Land Division Process

Overview

The three departments involved in the process to divide land for the purposes of development are Planning, Engineering, and Building.

Each of the three departments have separate processes, but do coordinate with one another to ensure that you do not get too far in the process with one department without addressing issues and concerns that another department may have.

If you are not a developer and/or are not familiar with the land use process, it is strongly recommended that you hire someone to help you through this process. A planning consultant, architect or engineer who is familiar with land use reviews would be helpful.

After the appeal period for a Land Use Approval has passed you may submit your plans to the Engineering Department for review. The Notice of Decision may have required plans to be revised to address specific design conditions. The Engineering Department will not be able to accept the public improvement plans until after the land use Notice of Decision has been issued.

The Engineering Department reviews the public improvements (roads, water, sewer, and storm lines). It is the developer’s responsibility to coordinate installation of other utilities.

The Engineering Department review period takes approximately 6-8 weeks, but varies depending on the completeness of the plans and the number of other projects in for review. Once the Engineering Department has approved the public improvement plans, the applicant must sign a Compliance Agreement, post bonds and schedule a pre-construction meeting.

Once Engineering has approved the public improvement plans and applicable conditions of approval have been met, you can submit for Final Plat approval. You must submit a Final Plat application form along with the required fee, a narrative describing how the conditions of approval have been addressed and three copies of the final plat. Planning coordinates with the appropriate departments and typically issues a Notice of Decision within 1-2 weeks.

Once Planning has approved your Final Plat, a “plat release letter” will be sent to Washington County indicating that they may begin review of the plat. The County review of plats varies, but takes approximately one month.

After the County approves the plat, a Mylar of the plat must be submitted to the City for signature. Planning staff will once again review the decision to ensure any additional conditions have been addressed. If everything is in order, the plat will be signed, generally within 48-72 hours. Once the Plat is recorded, building plans may be submitted.

Building permit applications may not be submitted until the final plat has been recorded at the County and the public improvements have been completed and approved by the Engineering Department. Prior to issuance of the building permit, a Planner will complete plot plan review to ensure the structure complies with all applicable setback and height requirements as well as any special conditions placed on the subdivision through the land use decision.

Supporting Documents

Land Division Brochure

Land Use Application