Subdivision Platting Information

Subdividing is required prior to obtaining a building permit within city limits if the property has not previously been subdivided or if any part of the originally platted land has been sold separately. Generally speaking, if you have a piece of land that is described legally as, for instance Lot 1, Block 4, Capisallo Subdivision it is subdivided. However if you own a piece of land that is described by metes and bounds or if it is described for instance, the south 100’ of the north half of Lot 1, Block 2, Capisallo Subdivision you may have to subdivide. If you are unsure whether or not you need to subdivide, please contact our offices.

A subdivision must be created and sealed by an engineer. It will be ultimately required to be recorded in the County Courthouse. Costs and procedures can vary greatly depending on whether you are subdividing for one house on an existing roadway or if you are creating a whole subdivision with lots for sale and interior roads.

A subdivision submitted to the City of Mercedes will be first reviewed by staff at a subdivision review meeting by various city staff members and the submitting engineer. Once it is substantially complete it will be scheduled to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission for their recommendation to City Commission. Once it receives their recommendation of approval it goes to the City Commission for final approval. Utility construction plans can then be submitted for the necessary public infrastructure. City staff will review those plans and hold a pre-construction meeting with the developer’s contractor of choice before issuing a notice to proceed. Utility and street construction usually takes place prior to the recording of the subdivision plat, but can be done after if a letter of credit is submitted to the city for 110% of the estimated costs of improvements.

Sales of lots may begin once the plat is recorded.

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