How Do I Subdivide My Property in Pennsylvania?
If you own land in Pennsylvania, you have a number of options with regard to what you do with that land. You may wish to build your dream house, or you may prefer to profit from the sale of the land. Another option may be to subdivide the land. If you are considering this as an option, your first question will undoubtedly be “How do I subdivide my property in Pennsylvania?”
When you subdivide property, it basically means you take a parcel of land and turn it into two or more tracts of land. Typically, subdividing is done by a developer who plans to build a “subdivision” on the land. Although this sounds simple enough, it can be a complicated process because of the legalities involved. You cannot simply decide to split your land into numerous legal parcels of land. In Pennsylvania, subdividing land requires you to legally separate the land.
Before you get to the actual process of subdividing your land, you will likely have a number of other issues to consider, such as whether the land is zoned for the intended use and whether it is suitable for the intended use. A geological survey may need to be done along with various studies, such as a flood plain, environmental impact and/or traffic pattern study. Only after you have determined that the land can be used in the manner intended will you be able to move on to the actual division of the land.
If your land fronts a public roadway, subdividing the land begins with submitting a complete plan to the appropriate county or municipality planning commission. The subdivision plans must include a detailed description of how you plan to divide the land as well as mark any roadways and entrances into the subdivision. In addition, the plan you submit to the commission must be prepared by a licensed Pennsylvania surveyor. Moreover, if your plans include any infrastructure changes, such as a roadway or sewer lines, you will also have to use a licensed engineer. The plan itself is then reviewed by the planning commission and approved or denied. Frequently, changes will need to be made to the plan before the commission will approve the plan.
Subdividing your land will be a long and complicated process, and one that should not be attempted without the assistance of an experienced Pennsylvania real estate and zoning attorney. The time to consult with an attorney is long before you take any actual steps toward dividing your land to ensure that each step is done properly. If you are considering subdividing your land, contact an experienced Conshohocken, Pennsylvania real estate law attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. Contact the real estate law attorneys at Curley & Rothman, LLC by calling 610-834-8819 today to schedule your free consultation.