We are excited to announce new rules which make it easier to subdivide and make the requirements clearer. In many cases the conventional (old) rules require you to get variances or major subdivisions. These are burdensome due to their cost and the length of time it takes. The new rules will:

• Allow re-establishment of previously platted lots without approval.
• Allow creation of up to 15 new lots with staff approval.
• Apply context-sensitive lot area and width rules. Meaning if your proposed lot is like others in your area you will not need a variance.
• Require public investment in existing neighborhoods in some cases.

Re-establishment of previously-platted lots by deed is exempt from subdivision approval procedures if the resulting lots conform to code requirements. C

If you are, you must create a deed for each property you want to sell or develop, and the deed’s legal description must match the description of the corresponding platted lot. For example, the description must say “Lot 1, Sunshine Estates”, not “The north 12 feet of Sunshine Estates and the south 18 feet of Lot 2, Sunshine Estates”.

Before recording the deeds you must submit them to lotmapping@kcmo.org for verification and mapping. This generally takes no more than two business days at which point we will reply with verification or reply with further instructions. If we were unable to verify please schedule a meeting with us so we can discuss your options. It is likely you are able to obtain staff approval of a Minor Subdivision. See below for more information on this.

Consolidation by deed is exempt from subdivision approval procedures if the resulting lots conform with code requirements. Find out if you’re eligible by completing this questionnaire.

To do so you must create deeds for each resulting lot. If previously platted, the legal description on the deed(s) must consist of one or more whole platted lots. For example “Lots 2 through 4, Sunshine Estates”. It cannot consist of partial lots such as “Lots 2-4 and the south 25 feet of Lot 5, Sunshine Estates”.

Before recording the deeds you must submit them to lotmapping@kcmo.org for verification and mapping. This generally takes no more than two business days at which point we will reply with verification or reply with further instructions. If we were unable to verify please schedule a meeting with us so we can discuss your options. It is likely you are able to obtain staff approval of a Minor Subdivision. See below for more information on this.

If you are not re-establishing or consolidating lots you may be eligible for a minor subdivision. There are four unique types of minor subdivisions, but all are reviewed and approved by City staff.

Type 1 Minor Subdivision

Any subdivision which does not result in a net increase in the number of lots, but is ineligible for re-establishment or consolidation, is a Type 1 Minor Subdivision. An example of a Type 1 Minor Subdivision is a lot line adjustment between two or more properties.

Type 2 Minor Subdivision

Any subdivision of land resulting in a net increase of up to 5 lots is a Type 2 Minor Subdivision.

Type 3 Minor Subdivision

Any subdivision of land resulting in a net increase of 6 to 15 lots is a Type 3 Minor Subdivision.

Type 4 Minor Subdivision

A subdivision of a building, also known as a condominium plat.

Before Applying for a Major Subdivision

A Pre-Application meeting with staff is required to be conducted prior to filing an application. This meeting is held virtually so we can ensure all applicable City Departments are at the meeting and can inform you of the proper process and requirements to subdivide your property.

To schedule your meeting please email POD@KCMO.org

Submit for a Preliminary Plat

A Preliminary Plat (Development Plan) is required when large pieces of property are developed in phases, or in areas under common ownership where comprehensive planning issues are identified. Preliminary Plats provide a detailed layout of the subdivision with existing and proposed features. A Preliminary Development Plan/Plat is mutually beneficial to both the developer and the City in that it provides an opportunity for the developer to explore the feasibility of the project while allowing the City to provide initial direction on the availability of public services. Applications such as Development Plans, Special Use Permits, and Master Planned Developments can serve as Preliminary Plats.

Preliminary Plats, when not under an application that serves as a Preliminary Plat such as a Development Plan, provide for an administrative approval of these applications. A Preliminary Plat can be approved by the Development Review Committee (DRC) if no waivers or deviations are requested. If there are such requests the application must be approved by City Council. If the Development Review Committee denies the Preliminary Plat, the applicant may appeal to the City Plan Commission.

Please see the Directors Minimal Submittal Requirements for full submittal requirements including required tables to be included on the face of the Preliminary Plat.

Preliminary Plat Process

The approval process for Preliminary Plats consists of three major steps:

1. Submission of Preliminary Plat (Development Plan) as well as engineering documents (e.g., macro stormwater drainage study, public and private utility information, preliminary stream buffer plan, Traffic Impact Study, etc.) with completed application form and applicable fees.
2. Review and approval by the Development Review Committee if there are no requested waivers or deviations from the Zoning and Development Code.
3. If there are requested waivers or deviations, then the following are required:
   1. Advertisement of the Public Hearings for the project.
   2. Public Engagement in accordance with 88-505-12 of the Zoning and Development Code.
   3. Application heard at the City Plan Commission for recommendation.
   4. Final approval of the plat by City Council and granting of any requested waivers or deviations.

Submit for a Final Plat

The Final Plat procedure provides for review and recommendation by the Development Review Committee and the City Plan Commission. The final approval is granted by the City Council. Final Plats or platting is the process through which land is divided into buildable lots (subdivision). In the platting process, the layout of streets and utilities is established; the streets identify blocks, and blocks are further subdivided to create lots for individual ownership.

Section 88-405 identifies required subdivision design & improvements. Developers are responsible for street improvements within a subdivision, street signs, street lights, sidewalks & trails, surface drainage & storm sewers, water supply and wastewater systems, stormwater management facilities, erosion and sedimentation control devices, utilities, survey monuments and any other on or off-site improvements required at the time of plat approval. Public parkland dedication, private open space dedication or payment of money in lieu thereof requirements are required for residential plats. The development code also contains the stream buffers requirements and the requirements for accompanying open space developments & conservation developments.

Final plats are the legal instruments that create lots, blocks and streets. Final plats are recorded with the respective County Recorder of Deeds Office. A recorded copy of the Final Plat is then returned to the City for further processing. Once the recorded copy of the Final Plat has been returned to the City, newly created lots in a subdivision may be sold individually. Two copies of the recorded Final Plat are required as evidence of recording with the County, for postal service and 911 addressing, and to allow City utilities to process water and sewer connection orders.

Please see the Directors Minimal Submittal Requirements for full submittal requirements including required tables, signature block, and Final Plat Acknowledgement Form.

If the proposed Final Plat is not exactly as approved by the Preliminary Plat a pre-application meeting is required. To schedule your meeting please use the following link or email POD@KCMO.org

         Request a Meeting with a Planner

Final Plat Process

The approval process for Final Plats and replats consists of seven major steps:

1. Submission of the final plat or replat as well as engineering documents (e.g., Micro storm drainage study, ownership certificate, draft copies of agreements, final stream buffer plan, etc.) with completed application form and applicable fee
2. Review by the Development Review Committee with recommendation to City Plan Commission
3. Recommendation by the City Plan Commission
4. Approval by the City Council
5. Execution of all agreements, securing all required infrastructure permits, fulfilling all outstanding ordinance requirements, and signatures from City Officials
6. Filing of the final plat with the County Recorder of Deeds
7. Returning two copies of the recorded plat to the City

Updates To Our Process

We have implemented the first in a series of updates to our Major Subdivision Process in order to expedite applications which have all required information. This is a first in series of changes that will be coming soon.

• Reduced Review Periods- more than half of previous review periods

   

• Accelerated CPC Schedule- for applications without major corrections

   

• Updates to Standard Procedures Internally- Internal procedures updated to enhance efficiency and handling of documents

To learn more about the Major Subdivision Process.

In addition to the above, a lot created through the re-establishment procedures or minor subdivision procedures must have:

Street Access

All lots must have frontage on a public right-of-way containing an improved street. For the purposes of eligibility the street need not be improved to city standards but must be sufficient to support emergency vehicles.

City staff may only approve indirect access, such as a driveway through another property, when:

• Such driveway is improved sufficiently to support emergency vehicles; and
• When an easement is dedicated allowing legal access.

Water Service

All lots must have direct access to a public water main. For the purposes of eligibility, direct access means:

• Private service from the lot to the main is not required to go through other private properties; and
• No water main extensions are required to accommodate this.

Sewer Service

All lots must have direct access to a public sanitary sewer main. For the purposes of eligibility, direct access means:

• Private service from the lot to the main can be accomplished by gravity flow (i.e., no pumps required);
• Private service from the lot to the main is not required to go through other private properties; and
• No sanitary sewer main extensions are required to accommodate this.