This office coordinates the review and approval of proposals for the subdivision or resubdivision of property; plats showing the dedication of public easements or street dedications, encroachments into the public right-of-way; and the vacation of public interests, including right-of-way owned in fee or public easements. This office also manages the administration and enforcement of public improvement bonds and agreements associated with the construction of public infrastructure required by State or County Codes, and County Board approved special exception projects.
Subdivision
A “subdivision” is the division or redivision of existing lots or parcels into two (2) or more lots, parcels, or outlots; the consolidation of two (2) or more lots, parcels or outlots; and the horizontal division or redivision of airspace. The review and approval of subdivision proposals is administrative and does not involve or require public hearings by the County Board. Such proposals must conform to the requirements of the Arlington County Subdivision Ordinance, the Zoning Ordinance, and other applicable codes and ordinances, without exception, in order to be administratively approved. Approvals of subdivision plats are made on behalf of the County Manager by the Subdivision and Bonds Administrator in the Department of Environmental Services (DES).
Subdivision plat approvals do not include the review of proposed structures and other improvements to be built on proposed lots. The evaluation of proposed development on new lots takes place during the building permit review process, after permit applications are submitted to the Inspection Services Division (ISD), upon final subdivision approval and recordation in the Land Records office of Arlington County.
The evaluation of public improvements and stormwater management infrastructure requires the submission of Civil Engineering Plan (CEP) and Land Disturbance Activity Permit (LDA) applications to the DES Development Services Bureau for review and approval.
Submission Requirements
Applications for subdivision proposals consist of a preliminary plat or similar document, and the applicable plat review fees. The standard content for preliminary subdivision plats is listed in Section 23-8 of the Subdivision Ordinance. Lot width calculations (as defined in the Zoning Ordinance) are required for the Zoning review of each new lot shown on the subdivision proposal. If any portion of the site is within the Resource Protection Area (RPA), the plat must show the delineation of RPA boundaries, as described in Section 61-9 of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance. Additional information for the review may be required, based on the scope of the proposal. All hardcopy plats and associated documents must be submitted to: DES Development Services Bureau, Subdivision and Bonds, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22201.
Plat Review Fees
Fees for the review of subdivision plats, easement plats, and other plat types are listed in the Plat Review Fees Schedule(PDF, 44KB). The Fees Schedule reflects the combined DES and Zoning fees for the review of subdivision plats. Payments for plat reviews are only accepted by check (made payable to “Treasurer, Arlington County”) and are due at the time of submission.
Review Process
Preliminary subdivision plats are reviewed for conformance with all applicable County Codes and Ordinances. Preliminary plat approvals are conditional and include review comments that must be resolved prior to approval of the final plat. Preliminary plat approvals are valid for six months, during which time applicants must address all review comments noted on the plat. Applicants may request a six-month extension (“reapproval”) of the preliminary plat approval, if needed, prior to final subdivision approval. To apply for final approval, the applicant must submit the final plat and draft deed of subdivision for review. Upon compliance with all review comments and conditions of the preliminary plat approval, the final plat can be approved and released for recordation in the County’s Land Records office.
Public Improvement Bonds
A public improvement bond and performance agreement can be required for any public infrastructure required to be built as part of a subdivision proposal, such as: curb, gutter, sidewalk, storm and sanitary sewer, water mains, paved travel ways, stormwater management facilities, and street trees, as well as erosion and sediment control measures, for work located within the public right-of-way or public easements. The bond process begins with the submission of the engineer’s bond estimate for review, using the Public Improvement Bond Estimate Form(PDF, 218KB), reflecting the proposed public improvements on the approved civil engineering plan for the project. The bond estimate review fee, identified in the Bond Fees Schedule(PDF, 81KB), is due at the time of submission.
Upon completion of the review, the approved bond estimate amount is issued. The subdivider is responsible for submitting the complete public improvement bond package to the County, consisting of the Performance Agreement, the Bond in the amount of the approved estimate using a bond type acceptable to the County, and the Bond Processing fee. Acceptable bond types are Letter of Credit, Corporate Surety, and Cash Deposit, posted in the full amount determined for each bond. Forms for the appropriate bond type are available from the DES Subdivision and Bonds Administration Office.
For questions, please contact Bruce Woodhams, Subdivision and Bonds Administrator, at 703-228-3673 or bwoodhams@arlingtonva.us.