Subdividing Property

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SUBDIVIDING PROPERTY

Any division of property which creates a parcel below 20-acres in size and falls under the jurisdiction of Boundary County Planning and Zoning is considered a subdivision, and the following procedures have been adopted to allow processing.

A simple subdivision application is used whenever the partition of a parcel results in the creation of no more than five parcels, each meeting the minimum parcel size of the zone district in which they lie, and each parcel having approved driveway access to an existing public street or road, or when a transfer or real property to a family member results in four or fewer parcels.

In order to obtain a simple subdivision, those dividing property that fit the simple subdivision criteria should bring to the Planning and Zoning Office a deed of ownership of the parcel being divided, the metes and bounds descriptions of each parcel being created and the calculated parcel size, or, preferably, a record of survey showing parcel size for each lot to be created. The zoning administrator will provide an application for simple subdivision, and upon verification that the proposal meets the criteria above, will issue a Simple Subdivision permit, which can be recorded with the deeds to show that the parcels thus divided are buildable.

A printable copy of the form is available by clicking here. The fee for a simple subdivision is $35.

A short plat is a platting procedure used when the division of land requires no change in zone district designation, creates lots from land which has not been previously been platted which do not meet the provisions of a simple subdivision or when the provisions of tranfering property to family members results in the creation of five or more lots. A short plat procedure is subject to at least one public hearing before county commissioners, cost is $90. The application for a short plat subdivision is available by clicking here.

A long plat is a platting procedure used when a division of land is proposed in which real property, such as roads or easements, are proposed for dedication to Boundary County, or when clustered development or transferred development rights are proposed. A long plat procedure is subject to at least two public hearings; one before the Planning and Zoning Commission, which forwards a recommendation, and one before County Commissioners, who have final approval authority. Cost of long plat application procedure is $180. The application for a long plat subdivision is available by clicking here .

If the applicant is not the owner of the parcels to be subdivided, or if others hold ownership interest in the property being divided, letters from the all owners authorizing the submission of the application must also be included.

Upon receipt of a complete application package and the appropriate fee, the zoning administrator will schedule public hearing.

Following public hearing by the Boundary County Commissioners, a final decision will be rendered. Should the decision be to approve the proposal, the applicant then has the final plat drawn, gets the required signatures and has the final plat recorded with the Clerk of Court.

Exemptions from Subdivision Requirements:

The following divisions of land are exempt from subdivision requirements:

Parcels are created for lease solely for the purpose of agricultural or silvicultural production and harvest.
Parcels are created for mineral, oil or gas leases.
Parcels are created for the placement of government services, public utilities or rights-of-way.
Parcels are divided for the sole purpose of burial or interment within an approved cemetery.
Parcels are established through testamentary provisions or the laws of descent, provided documentation is provided the administrator so as to identify parcels so created.
Divisions of land ordered by a court of competent authority in Boundary County, provided documentation is provided the administrator so as to identify parcels so created.
Division of a single portion of a parcel for the sole purpose of obtaining financing, provided the portion encumbered and the remainder remain under single ownership and that both parcels so created consolidate again into a single parcel upon satisfaction of the debt; or, in the event of foreclosure, documentation from the lender be provided the administrator so as to identify parcels so created.