Process and Procedure for Minor Subdivision (PDF)

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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
Queen
110 Vincit St., Suite 104
Anne’s Centreville, MD 21617
County T e lephone Planning: (410) 758-1255
Fax Planning: (410) 758-2905
County Commissioners:
Telephone Permits: (410) 758-4088
James J. Moran, At Large
Fax Permits: (410) 758-3972
Jack N. Wilson, Jr., District 1
Stephen Wilson, District 2
Philip L. Dumenil, District 3
Christopher M. Corchiarino, District 4
Minor Subdivision - Review Process & Procedures
What is a Minor Subdivision?
 The definition of a Minor Subdivision (Minor), found in Chapter 18, Appendix A: Glossary, is the
subdivision of land into no more than seven lots, including the creation of any required easements or
rights-of-way.
o Typically any division of lot, tract, or parcel into two or more lots, plats, sites, or other divisions of
land for the purpose of sale or building development.
o By way of the subdivision, any existing non-conformity is either removed or minimized.
 Sliding Scale subdivision:
o Is a type of Minor Subdivision which allows a property owner to create lots on properties zoned
either Agricultural (AG) or Countryside (CS). Subdivision permits one (1) new lot per 100 acres or
portion thereof and one (1) new lot for each additional 100 acres or portion thereof. No open space
is required for this type of subdivision. A letter substantiating the ability to use this subdivision
technique is required.
What is the general procedure for submitting an application to the Department Planning & Zoning?
 The applicant may start with determining whether the project is to be served by public or private sewer
service. If the project is not on public sewer, the Department of Environmental Health should be
contacted to determine if the soils on the property are suitable for a septic system (SRA). All lots must
have an approved SRA in order to be approved by P&Z, unless otherwise specified, usually by
Environmental Health.
 Concurrently, the applicant is advised to speak with staff at P&Z to determine whether their proposal is
possible. It is suggested that when requesting information on properties, that the applicant supply either
the Tax Map information or the address of the property(s) for the quickest and most accurate response.
 P&Z suggests that all applicants hire a licensed engineer or surveyor to prepare the necessary plats. An
engineer is not required except in instances where specific engineering requirements need to be sealed on
the plats.
 Information required for a plat starts in Chapter 18, §18:1-169. The basic requirements begin with what is
required for an Administrative Subdivision and go on to include additional information starting in §18:1-
172.
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 The applicant must submit the required number of plats/documents for review by the various departments
in the county. More information may be required if there is Critical Area on the property, if there are any
legal documents, or if the site has public sewer, etc. If there are ever questions on the number of plats or
information to be submitted, please contact P&Z.
 The application must be complete in order to be accepted for processing. It is the responsibility of the
applicant to ensure that all paperwork, plats, and the correct review fee(s) are submitted.
What happens next? The process for final approval.
 Once the application has been submitted, and after an up to 10 day completeness review, it will be
distributed to the appropriate departments for a 10 business day review.
 Reviewing departments submit their comments to P&Z where a comprehensive staff comment letter is
generated and then sent to the applicant and the applicant’s agent describing any revisions that are needed
in order gain approval. A revised submittal will begin another 10 business day review. This process may
occur more than once depending on the issues to be resolved.
 If a particular department offers no comment or indicates approval, the applicant typically does not need
to provide a future submittal to that department except if a final signature is required. It is possible that
extensive revisions may be needed by a department and those changes may necessitate other departments
reviewing again.
 After the applicant has addressed all comments by the reviewing departments, the applicant may take the
plat around for final signature by the necessary departments. P&Z does not route plats for signature.
 There may be legal documents that also require signature as well as sureties or letters of credit, which
must be executed and provided with the plats when submitting to P&Z for final signature.
 Once all signatures have been obtained elsewhere, three (3) mylar copies and seven (7) paper copies of the
plat, sized 18” x 24”, are submitted to P&Z for final signature. Typically, the Director of Planning &
Zoning will sign, however, in some cases, the final signature may be by the Planning Commission.
 When the final signature has been received, a letter or email is sent to the applicant within 7 days to
schedule an appointment to record the plat in the Queen Anne’s County Land Records.
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