Reed T. Nester, AICP, Planning Director

Carolyn A. Murphy, AICP, Deputy Planning Director

Rodney S. Rhodes, CZA, Zoning Administrator Karen Kelly, Senior Secretary

planning@williamsburgva.gov Phone: 757-220-6130

Fax: 757-259-8050

Subdiv is ion

Regulat ions in the

City o f

Wi l l i amsburg

Subdivision Regulation specifically

targets undeveloped parts of the

city limits.

Subdivision Regulation are the

rules set up for those who wish

to develop, divide into smaller

lots (plats) called parcels, or sell

portions of their land.

Subdivision Regulations, simply

put, are the rules that say how a

new development is allowed to

build roads, connect to city ser-

vices, draw lot lines, define sus-

tainable locations for construc-

tion to occur, allocate open

space, and regulate how the plat

should control storm water.

What is a Subdivision

Regulation ?

A Guide to Subdivision Regulation

By Wesley Winner of Shippensburg University

Reed T. Nester, AICP, Planning Director Carolyn A. Murphy, AICP, Deputy Planning

Director Rodney S. Rhodes, CZA, Zoning Administrator

Karen Kelly, Senior Secretary planning@williamsburgva.gov

Phone: 757-220-6130

A Guide to Subdivision Regulation

Organization

Disclaimer

This Brochure is for informational and educational purposes only and is not

intended as legal advice. It has been prepared by Wesley Winner as a course

project for Geography 444: Environmental Land Use Planning (Fall 2010) and

is provided to as a courtesy of the student of that course. For further infor-

mation contact the course instructor, Dr. George Pomeroy, Director, Cen-

ter for Land Use. Department of Geography-Earth Science, Shippensburg

University of Pennsylvania. 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, Pa 17257-

2299. E-mail: gmpome@ship.edu/ Phone (717) 477-1776

What is the purpose of Subdivision

Regulations?

Subdivision Regulations prevent a

development to occur that does

not agree with Williamsburg’s mis-

sion of promoting the health, safety

and general welfare of the public.

The regulations focus on:

The lot sizes and size of blocks

Consideration for schools and open space

Storm water management plans

Sewer, water, and electric connections

Street width and Street Names

Sidewalks

Lot sizes and the size of blocks are regulated to insure that the average lot size throughout the city is agreeable.

There must be a space allocated for playgrounds parks, and especially in large subdivisions there must be a loca-

tion sited for a school. The storm water management regulations that exist are in place to prevent future issues

with flooding and/or to prevent excessive run and pro-tect our fragile ecosystems. Each subdivision is required

to connect to the utilities. Street widths are regulated to relieve traffic congestion and to keep automobiles safe.

Street names are regulated in order to assure that dupli-cation of names does not occur and to make directions

easier. Streets that run in line with an already existing street must have the same name as the existing street.

A Guide to Subdiv is ion Regulat ions in Wil l iamsburg , VA

What must be on a final Subdivision Plan?

Topography of the property.

Boundaries of the property

Streets, including names.

Utilities

Protection areas

Storm water management plans, including the environ-

mental assessment.

Wetlands and other water bodies

Number of lots, location and size of lots

All Subdivision Plans require a public hearing before

the Planning Board can recommend the plan to city

council.

All Subdivision plans require an application and a fee

Please contact the Planning Department for further

information.

575-220-6130

Why Do we Need Subdivision Regulations?

Subdivision regulations ensure the future development does

not change the charter of Williamsburg.

Subdivision regulations ensure that each development

meets the highest standards of safety, efficiently, and sus-

tainability.

Subdivision regulations are designed to protect the custom-

ers who purchase these homes in new developments. It

ensures that each new developments is complete with all

the services and infrastructure that are expected by the

purchasers of new homes.

Subdivision regulations are also designed to eliminated

inaccessible neighborhoods.

Without regulations some neighborhoods would be designed with-

out public water, sewer, or electrical connections. Some neighbor-

hoods may be too far from services and not have easy access to the

rest of the city.

All landowners who are planning to subdivide and de-

velop their plats are required to submit a subdivision

application to the city.