Subdivisions

The subdivision application form should be used to file for any of the following.

Subdivision

A subdivision is the division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land, regardless of how it is to be used, into two or more lots. Subdivisions are classified as either minor or major subdivisions. Minor subdivisions are a subdivision of a single parcel into three or fewer lots. Major subdivisions are a subdivision of a single parcel into four or more lots. Any proposed subdivisions must create all new conforming lots per its zoning district. Major subdivision applications go through the public hearing process and are heard before the Planning Commission for recommendation and City Commission for approval/denial.

Minor Subdivision Process (≤ 3 lots):

1. Pre-application conference with Zoning Administrator: 
   a. Applicant must provide a sketch plat at minimum.
2. Applicant submits the subdivision application and at least eight copies of the proposed final plat with the requirements as indicated in Section 11.2.5 of the UDO.
3. Zoning Administrator distributes final plat to staff for comments.
4. Zoning Administrator responds to applicant with any comments. Applicant resubmits final plat if necessary.
5. Final plat is signed for approval and senior engineer issues addresses on final plat.
6. Applicant takes proposed final plat with addresses, letter of approval from City Zoning Administrator, and records plat with the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court (see DeKalb County for more details).
7. Applicant takes a copy of the recorded plat to DeKalb County GIS to obtain parcel IDs. Applicant must fill out the DeKalb County GIS Separation form and the GIS Agent Authorization form (see DeKalb County GIS Dept. for more details). 
8. Applicant provides a copy of the recorded plat and parcel IDs to City Zoning Administrator for city records.
9. Senior engineer issues a permanent address letter to necessary agencies.

Major Subdivision Process (≥ 4 lots):

1. Pre-application conference with Zoning Administrator: 
   a. Applicant must provide a sketch plat at minimum.
2. Applicant submits the subdivision application and at least eight copies of the proposed preliminary plat with the requirements as indicated in Section 11.2.5 of the UDO.
3. Zoning administrator distributes preliminary plat to staff for comments.
4. Zoning administrator responds to applicant with any comments. Applicant resubmits preliminary plat if necessary to comply with lot requirements of zoning district.
5. Application is scheduled for public hearing. Applicant presents application to Planning Commission for recommendation and then City Commission for final action.
6. Upon approval of subdivision by City Commission, applicant may proceed with LDP submittal. The Zoning Administrator will confirm compliance with City Commission approval and any conditions thereof. Senior engineer distributes LDP to necessary agencies for approval.
7. Applicant submits final plat after infrastructure installed and building foundations are set.  See items #5 - #9 under minor subdivision for remainder of process.

Historical Lot of Record

Re-establishment of historical lots of record are allowed in their original, platted form with the submittal of county land records with a date prior to Feb. 17, 1959. The re-establishment of a historical lot of record is done administratively and does not go through the public hearing process. 

Process:

1. Applicant submits documentation of original plat and at least three copies of the proposed final plat with the requirements as indicated in Section 11.2.5 of the UDO to the zoning administrator.
2. Zoning administrator distributes final plat to staff for comments.
3. Zoning administrator responds to applicant with any comments. Applicant resubmits final plat if necessary.
4. Zoning administrator approves administratively and writes zoning compliance letter. Senior engineer issues handwritten addresses on final plat.
5. Applicant takes zoning compliance letter and proposed final plat with addresses and records plat with the DeKalb County Clerk.
6. Applicant takes a copy of the recorded plat to DeKalb County GIS to obtain parcel IDs. Applicant must fill out the DeKalb County GIS Separation form and the GIS Agent Authorization form. 
7. Applicant brings a copy of the recorded plat and parcel IDs back to zoning administrator for city records.
8. Senior engineer issues a permanent address letter.

Replat

A replat is a change in the current plat of at least two lots, and typically occurs when adjacent property owners redraw a shared property boundary. Any proposed replat must make sure that each lot remains conforming per its zoning district and that no new lots are created.  A replat is approved administratively and does not go through the public hearing process.

Process:

1. Applicant submits at least three copies of the proposed final plat with the requirements as indicated in Section 11.2.5 of the UDO.
2. Zoning administrator distributes final plat to staff for comments.
3. Zoning administrator responds to applicant. Applicant resubmits final plat if necessary.
4. Zoning administrator approves administratively and writes zoning compliance letter.
5. Applicant takes zoning compliance letter and stamped approved final plat and records plat with the DeKalb County Clerk.
6. Applicant takes a copy of the recorded plat to DeKalb County GIS to obtain parcel IDs. Applicant must fill out the DeKalb County GIS Separation form and the GIS Agent Authorization form.
7. Applicant brings a copy of the recorded plat and parcel IDs back to zoning administrator for city records.

Lot Combination

Lot combinations occur when a sole property owner combines two or more adjacent properties into one parcel. Property owners typically request to combine their lots in order to simplify their city and county tax statements or to convert existing nonconforming lots into a legal, conforming lot. 

Process:

1. Applicant obtains a proposed plat showing the multiple lots as one combined parcel with dashed lines representing the existing lots and a solid black line representing the combination. 
2. Zoning administrator approves administratively and writes lot combination approval letter.
3. Applicant takes lot combination approval letter and stamped approved plat and records plat with the DeKalb County Clerk.
4. Applicant takes a copy of the recorded plat to DeKalb County GIS to update county maps and tax information. 
5. Applicant brings a copy of the recorded plat back to zoning administrator for city records.