What is Land Subdivision?

Subdivision refers to the process of dividing a piece of land into smaller, more manageable pieces. This can be done for various reasons, such as creating new lots for development or sale, or simply to help better organize the property.

In Edmonton, land survey companies work together with the city or local municipalities and clients through a list of requirements that must meet for the subdivision to be approved. This usually includes surveying the property, getting environmental assessments, and submitting a development plan.

For more information about land subdivisions in Edmonton, click here.

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Subdivision Procedure

The following steps are generally followed when preparing to complete a subdivision plan.

The Application

First, you must make an application to your city government, which, in this case, is Edmonton. The required information will vary by city but generally includes:

  • A location map of the proposed subdivision
  • The legal description of the land to be subdivided
  • The name, address, and contact information for the applicant
  • The proposed use for the subdivided land
  • The proposed lot sizes and dimensions
  • The proposed street layout

You can apply directly to your city, or Arc Surveys can do so on your behalf. Once the application is submitted, the government will determine whether or not the subdivision complies with its zoning bylaws. If it does not, the applicant may be required to make changes to the proposal or be denied outright.

The Assessment

Afterward, the city will review and evaluate the application thoroughly. It will also be circulated to utility and transportation companies, adjacent landowners, and other government agencies for their input. The city may require the applicant to make changes to the proposal based on this feedback before approving the plan.

This step can take 2 to 3 months.

Conditional Approval

The city will then issue a conditional approval document. The conditions of approval will vary. You will have to meet these conditions before pushing through with your project. In addition, you must pay for any required city studies as part of the review process (for example, traffic or utility studies).

Legal Survey

For the City of Edmonton to approve the subdivision, you must provide an Alberta Land Surveyor’s certificate showing the proposed Subdivision meets all the legal requirements. We will work with you and your lawyer to ensure the survey for the subdivision meets the City of Edmonton requirements.

Preparation of Files

We will prepare the legal documents required by Land Titles, such as Consent to Register Plan, Agreements, and Deeds. We will also complete any other requirements necessary for the registration of the new plan.

Endorsement

As soon as all conditions of approval have been fulfilled, we will endorse the final plan. The survey plan is then registered in Land Titles, and a new Certificate of Title is issued for each parcel. If no further revisions are needed, the city will issue a Subdivision Authority Approval (SAA) letter.

Registration

The last part of the procedure is registration for Land Titles. Land Titles can take three to four weeks or longer to register the Plan and issue certificates

Different types of subdivisions

In order to achieve the best cost-effective and efficient outcome, we recommend consulting with us early on so that we can begin to examine what kind of subdivision and what type of title is most suitable for your project. Among the different methods are:

Subdivision by Legal Survey and Plan

Subdividing by this method requires a full survey and posting legal survey pins at each corner of the new property.  A new legal description will be assigned to each of the newly subdivided lots (Lot, Block, Plan).

Subdivision by Instrument

Duplexes and infills in urban areas and older subdivisions, which already have two lots on one title, are common places to use this method (and revert the lots back to their original sizes).  It is necessary for the new lots to be exactly the same size as the original subdivision in order for this to be applicable.  When possible, this method can be much faster and more affordable than a full legal survey

Subdivision by Descriptive Plan

Usually, this method is used in rural areas, farmsteads, and in cases where a full survey is not necessary.  As Descriptive Plans do not require a full survey and do not involve posting legal pins, they are generally less expensive than full surveys.  If your subdivision meets the criteria for a Descriptive Plan, you should check with us at the start to see if it qualifies for one, which will require pre-approval from Land Titles.

Consolidation Survey

The process of consolidating is the combining of two or more titles into one.  Often, this is done when an owner has two adjacent properties but wishes to have only one address, title, and tax assessment. Developers also do this when they want to consolidate several parcels for a larger project.

Condo Survey (Bareland and Building Condo)

Subdivision is generally not associated with this method, but since you are taking one lot and creating multiple titles, it is considered one.  Check out our Condominium Plan Surveys page for more information.

How We Can Help?

As a Land Surveying company in Edmonton, we provide a full range of surveys. We have the experience and expertise to handle any size or type of subdivision, whether it’s a multi-lot development or a small rural parcel.

Our highly experienced Alberta Land surveyors can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information for your project. We understand that each land development project is unique, so we take the time to get to know your specific needs to create a customized solution for your requirements.

For inquiries, or to speak with an expert regarding your next project, contact us here. We’d be happy to speak with you today.

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For additional information concerning Surveys for Subdivisions visit:

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