The following is a guide for property owners to use when considering lot or parcel boundary changes. Depending on what is intended to be accomplished, there are several procedures that have been established to officially create these parcel changes. The goal of this guide is to minimize confusion about how to accomplish changes to parcel boundaries and what procedure is used to create them.
Existing Review Procedures for Parcel Line Changes
Parcelization Procedures and Checklist
Dividing a Parcel to Create One or More New Large Parcels:
Property can be divided into parcels of five acres or more through Parcelization. This procedure creates large parcels that are exempt from subdivision review.
Dividing a Parcel to Create One or More New Smaller Lots:
Owners planning on Subdividing/Splitting Property into new lots that are smaller than five acres must create the lots through the Subdivision Review Process. There are two stages of review for all subdivisions in this process. When initially filed, subdivisions first proceed through Primary Plat Review. The final stage is Secondary Plat Review and, upon secondary approval, the plat can be recorded and the owner can begin to sell lots.
Shifting an Existing Lot Line:
Lot lines between lots in recorded subdivisions where both parcels have common zoning can be shifted through the Lot Line Adjustment Procedure. Adjusted lots must meet all requirements such as minimum lot size and building setbacks. Owners interested in this procedure should meet with the Area Plan Commission staff to show a conceptual drawing of how the lot is proposed to be adjusted.
Enforcement
Dividing and deeding off property without following these procedures is a violation of the City and County land development codes. The Area Plan Commission will not issue any permits for these illegal properties until code compliance is achieved. Problems can also arise on properties that are in violation when an owner attempts to sell. Banks frequently contact the APC to verify code compliance before granting loans to buyers.
Ask if You Have Questions
The Area Plan Commission staff is always available to the public to answer questions about revising lot lines, the procedures mentioned above, or about any other code requirements for land development. Individuals with questions are encouraged to contact us. It could save both time and money.