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City staff review Minor Subdivision plans to ensure the requirements of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and other applicable regulations are met. Minor Subdivision is a streamlined review path for small-scale residential subdivisions that eliminates the standard Preliminary Subdivision (SUB) process.
City staff approve most subdivisions administratively. City Council approval is only required if the site is within a Historic Overlay Zoning District (see UDO Section 10.1.8).
Eligibility
A subdivision qualifies for Minor Subdivision review only when all of the following are met (UDO Sec. 10.2.5.H.3):
- The subdivision abuts only existing Local Streets (UDO Sec. 8.5.2).
- The subdivision is located entirely within one or more of the following zoning districts: R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, or R-10.
- The subdivision creates no more than six (6) lots.
- No new public street.
- No portion of the parent tract has been included in a recorded Minor Subdivision during the preceding five years.
If a proposed subdivision does not meet all of these criteria, it must be reviewed under standard Preliminary Subdivision Plan Review.
Before Submitting an Application
Check that the property is recorded with the Wake County Register of Deeds and has an assigned PIN and address. This is required.
Key Steps in the Process
- Confirm the subdivision meets the Minor Subdivision eligibility criteria above.
- Submit your application directly for Site Permit Review (SPR) through the Permit and Development Portal — Minor Subdivisions are not required to submit a Preliminary Subdivision (SUB) application.
- The Customer Service Center routes plans to staff in planning, transportation, stormwater, utilities, fire, urban forestry, parks, and other review trades as applicable. Staff review the plans against the UDO and applicable manuals such as:
- Provide written responses to each review comment. Submit revised plans in the Permit and Development Portal for additional review.
- The plan can be approved once the plan shows compliance with all regulations.
Preparing Your Application
Required:
- One PDF: Minor Subdivision Application
- One PDF: Subdivision Site Plan
Sometimes required:
- Wake County School Form (if dwelling units are proposed)
Your plans must include:
- Cover sheet containing:
- Project Data Sheet
- Traffic Control and Pedestrian Plan (TCED) Notes
- Public Improvement Quantity Table required on ALL SPR Majors even if there
- Raleigh Water permits all public mains
- Private water mains (4" and larger) permitted under private Infrastructure permit
- Private collection sewer mains permitted under private Infrastructure permit
- SPRs may require Plumbing Utility Permits for water/sewer services on private property
- Appendix D – Public Utility Notes
- Contractor Note (required for all water/sewer main extensions
- Standard Utility Notes (Utility Sheet)
- Sheet Index
- General Notes including owner and contact’s name, telephone numbers, mailing and email addresses
- Administrative Action (AA) document (if tied to a Development Plan)
- Building Code Summary Sheet for retaining walls ≥5 feet
- Current plat or boundary survey
- Existing Conditions plan
- Proposed Site plan
- Proposed Grading and Drainage plans
- Proposed Sediment and Erosion Control plans (if disturbing 12,000 square feet or more)
- NPDES stabilization plan (if disturbing 1 acre or more)
- Proposed Utility plan
- Proposed Tree Conservation plan
Include a 3" x 3" open block in the lower-right corner of each sheet and maintained in a consistent location throughout the plan set for placement of the City's approval stamp. This area must remain free of all text, graphics, and plan details.
Submittal Instructions
Submit all materials through the Permit and Development Portal as PDFs. Application materials must follow these rules to be accepted:
- PDFs only unless another file type is necessary as part of the submittal process. Other types include images, Excel, or CAD files.
- No .ZIP files.
- Each document must be its own file (for example application, plans, report). Ex. If a submittal requires 1) an application form, 2) a set of plans, and 3) a calculation report, the applicant should transmit these as three separate files.
- All sheets in the PDF must be the same size.
Subdivision Plan Minor Modification
Changes to an Approved Minor Subdivision Site Permit Review (SPR) plan follow the existing Associated Site Permit Review (SPR) modification process. Please review the Subdivision Plan Minor Modification webpage for guidance.
Project Review and Permitting
- Applicants will be notified by email when a project is processed. Review comments are available in the Permit and Development Portal.
- Plans ready for permit issuance but lacking contractor information or having administrative holds will be stored for up to six months. After six months, the application is void and fees may apply.
- Approved stamped plans do not authorize work. Work may begin only when permits are issued, and all holds are resolved. Visit Final Review for more information.
Note: SPR plans must be fully approved by all departments before applying for Building Permit.
Sunset Extension
A sunset extension allows an approved land-use application to retain its existing entitlements beyond the initial five‑year expiration period. The development must continue to meet all current UDO requirements.
One sunset extension may be granted. An extension request must be made before the minor subdivision plan approval expires. Unrecorded and unbuilt portions of the subdivision must comply with the current UDO regulations.
- Email the Sunset Extension Application to SiteReview@raleighnc.gov.
- Staff reviews the sunset extension application to determine if the minor subdivision approval is eligible to be extended. If eligible, you will receive confirmation by email to proceed to step 3.
- Submit the Sunset Extension Application and minor subdivision plans to SiteReview@raleignc.gov for review.
- Pay Sunset Extension and Plan Review Fees.
Paying Fees
- Pay online through the Permit and Development Portal.
- Pay in person at the Planning and Development Customer Service Center. (Cash, MasterCard, Visa, e-Check, or check payable to the City of Raleigh.)
- Check the Development Fee Guide for specific fees.
A fee calculator may be used to obtain an estimate of some building and trade permit fees.
Next Steps
After your Minor Subdivision SPR is approved, proceed to the Recorded Map Process (RCMP).
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