Subdivision Services

The Subdivision Administration Team works with citizens, the development community, and all interested stakeholders to promote the orderly development of Charlotte and its Sphere of Influence. 

This team is housed within the CLT Development Center, located on the 1st floor of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.

Subdivision

 

Where Can I Find Subdivision Regulations?

As of June 1, 2023, we have transitioned to the Unified Development Ordinance. Subdivision regulations are located in Article 30. Streets & Other Infrastructure can be found in Articles 29-34

 

How is a Subdivision Plan Approved?

In Charlotte and Mecklenburg County a proposal to subdivide land must be approved by the Planning Department before the actual dividing of land and constructing of improvements can begin.

Since the City and County governments are separate governing bodies, two almost identical subdivision ordinances are used: the City of Charlotte Subdivision Ordinance and the Mecklenburg County Subdivision Ordinance.

The Planning Department coordinates the use of these ordinances in the review and approval of all subdivision proposals. Generally the approval process is completed in two phases: the preliminary plan phase and the record map phase.

Preliminary Plan Phase

Step 1. Sketch Plan - First, the Planning Department staff suggests that an informal sketch plan be submitted for review before the actual preliminary plan is formally submitted.

Step 2. A preliminary plan is submitted to the Planning Department by the applicant via Accela Citizen Access. The plan shows details of street construction, lot layout, storm drains, creeks, and adjacent properties. The plan should be prepared by a registered landscape architect, engineer, or land surveyor.

Step 3. Planning Department reviews the plan for conformance and loops in the Environmental Health Department and the City or County Stormwater Departments for approval. Other departments may also be included in the review, depending on the plan.

Step 4. Reviewing departments approve their reviews.

Step 5. Staff grants official preliminary plan approval. Applicants are electronically notified of the results. Construction of streets and storm drainage may begin at this time.

 

Record Map Phase

Step 1. A record map (final plat) is submitted by the applicant to the Planning Department staff via Accela Citizen Access. The map shows exact lot dimensions, street and sewer right-of-way locations, public storm drainage easements and specific information used in deed and title work.

Step 2. Planning Department staff loops in the City or County Stormwater Department for approval.

Step 3. The Stormwater Engineer approves his/her review.

Step 4. The Planning Department staff grants official approval to record the map and electronically notifies the applicant.

Step 5. If the property lies within the City limits, the applicant takes the map to the Register of Deeds office, where the approved map is recorded. When the property falls under County jurisdiction, the applicant takes the map to the local N.C. Department of Transportation district engineering office for approval. Then the map is brought to the Register of Deeds office to be recorded.

Reminder: Plats can be submitted for electronic signature, 24/7. Subdivision staff is utilizing the e-signature process(PDF, 97KB) approved by Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds. Plats to be e-signed and recorded must be sent via DocuSign, DocVerify or another approved platform.

At this point the lots in question are considered to be in accordance with the applicable subdivision ordinance. Building permits may be issued at this point.

Appeal Application

Appeal Application(PDF, 186KB):  Use the Appeal Application to file an appeal in accordance to Section 20-88 of the City of Charlotte Subdivision Ordinance.

 

 

 

 


Visit Charlotte Development Center for all services, resources, information, and answers needed to navigate the process of development in the City of Charlotte.