According to Section 212.004 of the Texas Local Government Code (TLGC), the subdivision of land is required when a property owner, within the City limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), divides a tract of land into two or more parts for the purpose of sale, development, or extension of utilities to the property to be subdivided. Additional types of subdivisions include combining platted lots and/or portions of lots or unplatted land into new lots by resubdivision, adjusting lot lines between existing legal lots by amended plat, or vacation of plats.
A subdivision is not zoning. If the owner wants to change the permitted land uses on a property in the City limits, the developer may have to go through the rezoning process. A subdivision is not a site plan or building permit and does not authorize the construction, demolition, or relocation of buildings or any site construction.
Land Status Determination (Platting Exception)
Chapter 25-4-2 of the City of Austin Land Development Code lists the requirements needed to obtain an exception from platting through an application known as a Land Status Determination. A Land Status Determination is an official determination made by the City of Austin that exempts unplatted or illegally platted tracts of land from the State platting requirements.
State Law prohibits the connection of utility services to a lot that is not legally platted (i.e. a subdivision recorded in the County records.) Additionally, the City of Austin Land Development Code requires Subdivision approval to precede the issuance of Building Permits and/or Site Plans. The Code provides exceptions from this requirement which are reviewed through the Land Status Determination process.
To determine if your tract may qualify for the Land Status Determination, use our Land Status Determination Wizard. Schedule a Land Status Determination appointment if you need assistance with the wizard or need additional information.
If you do not qualify, schedule a Land Status Determination appointment with Subdivision staff to discuss how to move forward. Do not continue with the following steps.
If you do qualify, go to step #2.
If yes, go to step #3.
The applicant listed on the application must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees and manage the application. If you do not have an AB+C Portal account, please register for an AB+C Portal account here . For additional assistance, please see the Web Help Manual (PDF) . Please make a note of the email address used for this new account. You will need this for step #3.
If you believe your tract qualifies for Land Status Determination, submit the following through your Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) account.
Staff will review the request to confirm all information and documents needed for review have been provided. If additional information is needed, staff will contact the applicant via email. Once everything has been provided, the invoice will be issued to the applicant and will need to be paid. Visit the Cashier Services webpage to view the payment options. You may need to notify your reviewer via email once the payment is made.
Review staff will email the applicant within ten business days with a determination of approved or denied. If the Land Status Determination Application is denied, schedule a Land Status Determination appointment to discuss how to move forward.
Time Sensitive Requirements
This list identifies some time-sensitive requirements that may be needed to approve an application for a preliminary plan, final plat, or subdivision construction plan. These items are not required to be submitted for the Completeness Check Review process, but they may be required for approval of a subdivision application. To maximize ease of review, applicants are encouraged to provide all applicable documents when submitting for the Completeness Check Review process.
The Subdivision Project Assessment has been created to provide a high-level evaluation of the potential code compliance of a future subdivision application. In addition to providing requirements for the subdivision, a Project Assessment will evaluate potential issues for the project, provide a 180-day binding staff recommendation on any discretionary approvals, and answer any questions from the applicant.
Variances, Waivers, and Discretionary Approvals
The following list identifies some discretionary items that may be addressed through a Project Assessment.
(If yes, go to step #2)
The Applicant listed on the application must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees and manage the application. If the applicant does not have an AB+C Portal account, please register for an AB+C Portal account as a first-time user. For additional assistance, please see the AB+C Manual (PDF) , or call Austin 3-1-1 . Please make a note of the email address used for this new account. You will need this for step #2.
Complete a Subdivision Project Assessment Completeness Check Application (PDF) and gather the required documents. Visit the Time Sensitive Requirements section to view possible items that can be addressed through a Project Assessment. We encourage you to utilize the Development Assessment meeting with Land Development Information Services (LDIS) staff to better gauge possible requirements for both processes. Email DSDZoningSitePlan@austintexas.gov to request a Development Assessment meeting.
Submit your completed Application and supplemental documents using the Subdivision Completeness Check Application Web Form. Please note that the Completeness Check (CC) Review must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, the Completeness Check Application will expire.
Once you submit the application, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.
Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.
Once the application is accepted for review, the applicant will receive an invoice for the Completeness Check fees. The invoice must be paid for the review process to begin. Visit the Cashier Services webpage to view the payment options.
Once the invoice is paid, your application will proceed to the 45-day Completeness Check Review period. The application Filing Date is one (1) business day after the invoice is paid.
During the Completeness Check (CC) Review, staff verifies that all required administrative and technical items have been submitted. At the end of the CC review (10 business days), staff sends a Completeness Check Result Letter.
If an application is deemed incomplete, please submit an update to the application using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
Once the Completeness Check Application is deemed complete, the applicant will receive the Completeness Check Certification Letter. This letter is needed for the Subdivision Project Assessment Formal Application submittal and expires 45 calendar days after issuance.
The Formal Application submittal and payment of formal review fees must occur before the letter expires. Otherwise, a new Completeness Check Application will be required.
The following steps must be completed within 45 calendar days from the issuance of the Completeness Check Certification Letter:
Formal Review & Updates During the formal review, staff will review the project to ensure the plan or plat complies with the code. When the review is completed, staff will send a Master Comment Report to the applicant. If you have questions about the comments, contact the assigned reviewer noted in the Master Comment Report for clarification.
If comments note compliance deficiencies, submit an update to the plan or plat using the Subdivision Formal Application Web Form.
The following applies to updates to the Subdivision Formal Application.
Receive Project Assessment Formal Review Results & Project Continuation After the review is finished, a Master Comment Report is provided with all staff recommendations on the discretionary approval, variance, or waiver.
For staff’s recommendations in the Project Assessment to apply, a subdivision application must be accepted for review within 180 calendar days from the date the report was issued.
If you submit the next applicable Completeness Check Application for the project within 180 calendar days, you will also receive a 25% discount on DSD’s Formal Review fees.
To continue with your Subdivision project, please continue with the subsequent development processes.
Preliminary Plans
A preliminary plan is a map or drawing of a proposed land partition and infrastructure development. Approval of the preliminary plan establishes a mutual commitment on the part of the City/County and the subdivider to the subdivision layout for final plat approval, including the location and width of streets, lots, blocks, and easements shown on the plan.
The most common proposed improvements that trigger a preliminary plan are the following:
Widening of existing ROW does not require a preliminary plan and can be accomplished with a dedication by plat or street deed. Refer to LDC Sec. 25-4-51 for details on what triggers a preliminary plan.
See the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for a complete list of required and optional submittal items.
A change to an approved preliminary plan is classified as either a minor deviation or a minor revision.
Minor deviations are changes that do not increase development density or impervious cover. For example, shifting a lot line one foot to increase the size of a residential lot, but not the number of residential lots. Minor deviations are so minor that no application is required and are processed concurrently with the final plat.
Minor revisions to an approved preliminary plan require an application and a fee. Approval of a preliminary plan revision does not change the expiration date from the original approved preliminary plan. The following are examples of minor revisions that would require an application for a revised preliminary plan:
Any revision that goes beyond the scope of changes identified in Sec. 25-4-61 of the LDC requires a new preliminary plan.
See the Time Sensitive Requirements section to review for possible discretionary requirements. If applicable, obtain recommendations through a Project Assessment. Visit the Project Assessment section to learn more about this review process.
(If yes, go to step #3)
The Applicant listed on the application must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees and manage the application. If the applicant does not have an AB+C Portal account, please register for an AB+C Portal account as a first-time user. For additional assistance, please see the AB+C Manual (PDF) , or call Austin 3-1-1 . Please make a note of the email address used for this new account. You will need this for step #3.
Complete a Subdivision Completeness Check Application (PDF) and gather the required documents. Please ensure all information is entered correctly and refer to the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for required and optional submittal items.
We encourage you to utilize the Development Assessment meeting with Land Development Information Services (LDIS) staff to better gauge possible requirements for both processes. Email DSDZoningSitePlan@austintexas.gov to request a Development Assessment meeting.
Submit your completed application and supplemental documents using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
PLEASE NOTE: The Completeness Check Review must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, the Completeness Check Application will expire.
Once you submit the application, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.
Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.
Once your application is accepted for Completeness Check Review, the applicant will receive an invoice for the Completeness Check fees. The invoice must be paid within five (5) business days of receipt for the Completeness Check Review process to begin. Visit the Cashier Services webpage to view the payment options.
Once the invoice is paid, your application will proceed to the 45-day Completeness Check Review period. The application Filing Date is one (1) business day after the invoice is paid.
During the Completeness Check (CC) Review, staff verifies that all required administrative and technical items have been submitted. Within ten (10) business days after the Filing Date, the applicant will receive a Completeness Check Results Letter noting any deficiencies in the form or content of your application.
If an application is deemed incomplete, please submit updates to provide additional information, documents, or corrections using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
For increased efficiency of the initial Formal Review, please provide any required Formal Review documentation during the Completeness Check review.
The Subdivision Completeness Check Application must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, it will expire.
Once the Completeness Check Application is deemed complete, the applicant will receive the Completeness Check Certification Letter. This letter is needed for the Formal Application submittal.
The Formal Application submittal and payment of formal review fees must occur within 45 calendar days after issuance of the Certification Letter. Otherwise, a new Completeness Check Application will be required.
The following steps must be completed within 45 calendar days from the issuance of the Completeness Check Certification Letter:
During the Formal Review, staff will review the project to ensure the plan complies with the code. The initial review of a subdivision application will be provided 30 calendar days after the Filing Date.
When the review is completed, a Master Comment Report with a determination is provided to the applicant. If you have questions about the comments or need clarification, reach out to the assigned reviewer noted in the Master Comment Report.
Staff will make the following determination: “Approved”, “Approved with conditions”, or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #9 if the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #10 if the application is “Approved”.
If the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”, submit an update to your plan based on the recommendations in the Master Comment Report using the Subdivision Formal Application Web Form. The update review of the subdivision application will be provided 15 calendar days after the Formal Submittal Day.
The following applies to updates to a Subdivision Formal Application.
For applications that are near their expiration date and may not be able to receive approval, contact the assigned Case Manager listed on the Master Comment Report for guidance on the next steps.
Once the plans are approved by all review staff, the plans will be stamped with an approval date and a digital copy will be sent to the applicant electronically. The plans will also be uploaded to the AB+C Portal.
Please note that Final Plats must be approved and recorded before the expiration date of the preliminary plan. Approval of a preliminary plan revision does not change the expiration date from the original approved preliminary plan.
Once the Preliminary Plan is approved, move forward with the Final Plat process. The Subdivision Construction process will also be required after the Final Plat process if the infrastructure is necessary to be constructed for the subdivision.
Final Plats
A final plat is a map or drawing of a subdivision approved by the Land Use Commission or Department Director and recorded by the County Clerk. There are four basic types of final plats:
A Final Plat out of a Preliminary Plan must be recorded before the Preliminary Plan expiration date.
See the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for a complete list of required and optional submittal items.
An amended plat is used to make minor changes to existing legal lots. It cannot remove plat restrictions or require a variance.
The most common reasons for submitting a plat amendment are:
A resubdivision is a further division of all or part of a recorded, final plat.
An Amending Plat and Resubdivision of all or part of a recorded plat without vacating the preceding plat is possible if the following provisions are met per the Texas Local Government Code ( TLGC Sec. 212):
See the Time Sensitive Requirements section to review for possible discretionary requirements. If applicable, obtain recommendations through a Project Assessment. Visit the Project Assessment section to learn more about this review process.
(If yes, go to step #3)
The Applicant listed on the application must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees and manage the application. If the applicant does not have an AB+C Portal account, please register for an AB+C Portal account as a first-time user. For additional assistance, please see the AB+C Manual (PDF) , or call Austin 3-1-1 . Please make a note of the email address used for this new account. You will need this for step #3.
Complete a Subdivision Completeness Check Application (PDF) and gather the required documents. Please ensure all information is entered correctly and refer to the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for required and optional submittal items.
We encourage you to utilize the Development Assessment meeting with Land Development Information Services (LDIS) staff to better gauge possible requirements for both processes. Email DSDZoningSitePlan@austintexas.gov to request a Development Assessment meeting.
Submit your completed application and supplemental documents using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
PLEASE NOTE: The Completeness Check Review must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, the Completeness Check Application will expire.
Once you submit the application, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.
Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.
Once your application is accepted for Completeness Check Review, the applicant will receive an invoice for the Completeness Check fees. The invoice must be paid within five (5) business days of receipt for the Completeness Check Review process to begin. Visit the Cashier Services webpage to view the payment options.
Once the invoice is paid, your application will proceed to the 45-day Completeness Check Review period. The application Filing Date is one (1) business day after the invoice is paid.
During the Completeness Check Review, staff verifies that all required administrative and technical items have been submitted. Within ten (10) business days after the Filing Date, the applicant will receive a Completeness Check Results Letter noting any deficiencies in the form or content of your application.
If an application is deemed incomplete, please submit updates to provide additional information, documents, or corrections using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
For increased efficiency of the initial Formal Review, please provide any required Formal Review documentation during the Completeness Check review.
The Subdivision Completeness Check Application must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, it will expire.
Once the Completeness Check Application is deemed complete, the applicant will receive the Completeness Check Certification Letter. This letter is needed for the Formal Application submittal.
The Formal Application submittal and payment of formal review fees must occur within 45 calendar days after issuance of the Certification Letter. Otherwise, a new Completeness Check Application will be required.
The following steps must be completed within 45 calendar days from the issuance of the Completeness Check Certification Letter:
During the Formal Review, staff will review the project to ensure the plan complies with the code. The initial review of a subdivision application will be provided 30 calendar days after the Filing Date.
When the review is completed, a Master Comment Report with a determination is provided to the applicant. If you have questions about the comments or need clarification, reach out to the assigned reviewer noted in the Master Comment Report.
Staff will make the following determination: “Approved”, “Approved with conditions”, or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #9 if the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #10 if the application is “Approved”.
If the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”, submit an update to your plan based on the recommendations in the Master Comment Report using the Subdivision Formal Application Web Form. The update review of the subdivision application will be provided 15 calendar days after the Formal Submittal Day.
The following applies to updates to a Subdivision Formal Application.
For applications that are near their expiration date and may not be able to receive approval, contact the assigned Case Manager listed on the Master Comment Report for guidance on the next steps.
Once the plat is approved, the recordation process begins, and if required, fiscal posting is due.
Fiscal posting is due 90 calendar days from the Update Deadline. Along with Fiscal, a Subdivision Construction Agreement must be submitted and approved. Visit the Fiscal Surety webpage to learn more.
Recordation is due 80 business days after plat approval. All items needed to record the plat must be submitted to the Case Manager by the close of the 80 th business day. The Case Manager will complete the plat recordation with the County Clerk’s Office.
Once the Plat is recorded, the applicant can move forward with the Subdivision Construction process if infrastructure construction is necessary for the subdivision.
Subdivision Construction Plans
Subdivision construction plans are drawings that include the infrastructure necessary for the construction of the subdivision, including, but not limited to, the following:
A Subdivision Construction Plan is not a Building Permit and does not authorize the construction, demolition, or relocation of buildings.
See the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for a complete list of required and optional submittal items.
See the Time Sensitive Requirements section to review for possible discretionary requirements. If applicable, obtain recommendations through a Project Assessment. Visit the Project Assessment section to learn more about this review process.
(If yes, go to step #3)
The Applicant listed on the application must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees and manage the application. If the applicant does not have an AB+C Portal account, please register for an AB+C account as a first-time user. For additional assistance, please see the AB+C Manual (PDF) , or call Austin 3-1-1 . Please make a note of the email address used for this new account. You will need this for step #3.
Complete a Subdivision Completeness Check Application (PDF) and gather the required documents. Please ensure all information is entered correctly and refer to the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for required and optional submittal items.
We encourage you to utilize the Development Assessment meeting with Land Development Information Services (LDIS) staff to better gauge possible requirements for both processes. Email DSDZoningSitePlan@austintexas.gov to request a Development Assessment meeting.
Submit your completed application and supplemental documents using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
PLEASE NOTE: The Completeness Check Review must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, the Completeness Check Application will expire.
Once you submit the application, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.
Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.
Once your application is accepted for Completeness Check Review, the applicant will receive an invoice for the Completeness Check fees. The invoice must be paid within five (5) business days of receipt for the Completeness Check Review process to begin. Visit the Cashier Services webpage to view the payment options.
Once the invoice is paid, your application will proceed to the 45-day Completeness Check Review period. The application Filing Date is one (1) business day after the invoice is paid.
During the Completeness Check Review, staff verifies that all required administrative and technical items have been submitted. Within ten (10) business days after the Filing Date, the applicant will receive a Completeness Check Results Letter noting any deficiencies in the form or content of your application.
If an application is deemed incomplete, please submit updates to provide additional information, documents, or corrections using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
For increased efficiency of the initial Formal Review, please provide any required Formal Review documentation during the Completeness Check review.
The Subdivision Completeness Check Application must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, it will expire.
Once the Completeness Check Application is deemed complete, the applicant will receive the Completeness Check Certification Letter. This letter is needed for the Formal Application submittal.
The Formal Application submittal and payment of formal review fees must occur within 45 calendar days after issuance of the Certification Letter. Otherwise, a new Completeness Check Application will be required.
The following steps must be completed within 45 calendar days from the issuance of the Completeness Check Certification Letter:
During the Formal Review, staff will review the project to ensure the plan complies with the code. The initial review of a subdivision application will be provided 30 calendar days after the Filing Date.
When the review is completed, a Master Comment Report with a determination is provided to the applicant. If you have questions about the comments or need clarification, reach out to the assigned reviewer noted in the Master Comment Report.
Staff will make the following determination: “Approved”, “Approved with conditions”, or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #9 if the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #10 if the application is “Approved”.
If the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”, submit an update to your plan based on the recommendations in the Master Comment Report using the Subdivision Formal Application Web Form. The update review of the subdivision application will be provided 15 calendar days after the Formal Submittal Day.
The following applies to updates to a Subdivision Formal Application.
For applications that are near their expiration date and may not be able to receive approval, contact the assigned Case Manager listed on the Master Comment Report for guidance on the next steps.
Once all outstanding fees have been paid and all comments are cleared, a Subdivision Construction Permit is issued. A Subdivision Construction Permit expires three years from the approval date if construction has not started.
A 1-year extension request of the 3-year expiration can be submitted, and if granted would extend the Subdivision Construction Plan for one (1) year from the original expiration date.
A plat vacation eliminates all previous restrictions and entitlements of the prior subdivision on the subject property. A total vacation eliminates an entire subdivision plat, including all lots, public rights-of-way, and any restrictions that may have been contained on the plat. A partial vacation eliminates only the designated lots, public rights-of-way, and/or plat restrictions indicated in the vacation document. A plat vacation may completely or partially vacate a subdivision; however, it may not be used to vacate portions of lots or specific notes on recorded plats.
A vacation must be approved in the same manner as the originally approved plat and must be signed by all the owners of lots in the original subdivision. Therefore, if the original plat was approved by the City’s Land Use Commission, approval by the Commission is required to vacate the plat. If the original plat was approved by the County Commissioners Court, approval by the Court is required to vacate the plat. County Commissioners Court approval is not required if the site is now located in the City’s Full Purpose Jurisdiction. If the original plat was approved administratively, then it can be vacated with the approval of the Director of the Development Services Department.
Plat vacations should be submitted with a concurrent replat of the land area that is being vacated. However, if a replat is not submitted concurrently with a plat vacation, then approval is required from transportation, electric, engineering, and any other utility that has a plat-created easement before approval of the vacation.
NOTE: Plat vacations are not subject to the same review and approval timeline requirements under H.B. 3167 and H.B. 3699.
See the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for a complete list of required and optional submittal items.
Schedule a Subdivision General Questions appointment with Subdivision staff to receive guidance on what type of vacation is best for your project.
(If yes, go to step #3)
The Applicant listed on the application must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees and manage the application. If the applicant does not have an AB+C Portal account, please register for an AB+C Portal account as a first-time user. For additional assistance, please see the AB+C Manual (PDF) , or call Austin 3-1-1 . Please make a note of the email address used for this new account. You will need this for step #3.
Complete a Plat Vacation Application (PDF) and gather the required documents. Visit the Subdivision section on the Forms & Applications webpage to download the correct Vacation Acknowledgement Form. Please ensure all information is entered correctly and refer to the Subdivision Completeness Check Submittal Checklist (PDF) for required and optional submittal items. All plat vacations (partial or total) require the signatures of all of the property owners of the existing recorded plat, as required by state law.
Submit your completed Application and supplemental documents using the Subdivision Completeness Check (CC) Application Web Form.
PLEASE NOTE: The Completeness Check Review must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, the Completeness Check Application will expire.
Once you submit the application, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.
Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.
Once your application is accepted for Completeness Check Review, the applicant will receive an invoice for the Completeness Check fees. The invoice must be paid within five (5) business days of receipt for the Completeness Check Review process to begin. Visit the Cashier Services webpage to view the payment options.
Once the invoice is paid, your application will proceed to the 45-day Completeness Check Review period. The application Filing Date is one (1) business day after the invoice is paid.
During the Completeness Check Review, staff verifies that all required administrative and technical items have been submitted. Within ten (10) business days after the Filing Date, the applicant will receive a Completeness Check Results Letter noting any deficiencies in the form or content of your application.
If an application is deemed incomplete, please submit updates to provide additional information, documents, or corrections using the Completeness Check (CC) Submittal Web Form.
For increased efficiency of the initial Formal Review, please provide any required Formal Review documentation during the Completeness Check review.
The Subdivision Completeness Check Application must be deemed complete within 45 days of the Filing Date; otherwise, it will expire.
Once the Completeness Check Application is deemed complete, the applicant will receive the Completeness Check Certification Letter. This letter is needed for the Formal Application submittal.
The Formal Application submittal and payment of formal review fees must occur within 45 calendar days after issuance of the Certification Letter. Otherwise, a new Completeness Check Application will be required.
The following steps must be completed within 45 calendar days from the issuance of the Completeness Check Certification Letter:
During the Formal Review, staff will review the project to ensure the plan complies with the code. The initial review of a subdivision application will be provided 30 calendar days after the Filing Date.
When the review is completed, a Master Comment Report with a determination is provided to the applicant. If you have questions about the comments or need clarification, reach out to the assigned reviewer noted in the Master Comment Report.
Staff will make the following determination: “Approved”, “Approved with conditions”, or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #9 if the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”.
Go to step #10 if the application is “Approved”.
If the application is “Approved with Conditions” or “Disapproved with reasons”, submit an update to your plan based on the recommendations in the Master Comment Report using the Subdivision Formal Application Web Form. The update review of the subdivision application will be provided 15 calendar days after the Formal Submittal Day.
The following applies to updates to a Subdivision Formal Application.
For applications that are near their expiration date and may not be able to receive approval, contact the assigned Case Manager listed on the Master Comment Report for guidance on the next steps.
Once all outstanding fees have been paid and all comments are cleared, the Vacation Acknowledgement Form is recorded by staff with the County Clerk.
Forms & ApplicationsFor a complete list of forms and applications, visit the Subdivision section of the Forms & Applications webpage.
As of September 1, 2019, the City’s subdivision application process changed to comply with the House Bill (HB) 3167 requirements passed during the 86 th Session of the Texas Legislature.
HB 3167 impacts subdivision development applications by:
As of September 1, 2023, the City’s subdivision application process changed again to comply with the House Bill (HB) 3699 requirements passed during the 88 th Session of the Texas Legislature.
HB 3699 impacts subdivision development applications by:
The City of Austin’s Subdivision jurisdiction for areas Outside of the City of Austin Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) crosses over several different counties and each has its requirements. Below is a quick reference as to the requirements per county. Please note that not all requirements may be listed and the corresponding county is the best point of contact for all applicable county requirements.
Travis County
Under LDC Chapter 30 , a single submittal is reviewed jointly by both the City of Austin and Travis County for subdivisions that are under the jurisdiction of both entities. There are additional submittal requirements for properties in the City of Austin ETJ within Travis County: Below are County requirements that are different from the City of Austin:
Visit the Travis County webpage for contact information and to learn more about their requirements.
Hays County
In the ETJ or Limited Purpose that are in Hays County, the city reviews under LDC Chapter 25 . Applications are required for each jurisdiction in the City of Austin and Hays County.
Visit the Hays County webpage to learn more about their regulations and permit process.
Bastrop County
In the ETJ or Limited Purpose areas in Bastrop County, the city reviews under LDC Chapter 25 . Submit your application to the city and the Case Manager will advise if a county application is required.
Development Services Department Reviews and ResourcesIn the AB+C Portal, you can see all reviews assigned to an application and the point of contact for each type of review. For active applications, you can also find this information listed in the Master Comment Report where applicable.
Board of Adjustment - The City of Austin Board of Adjustment (BOA) hears and decides on requests for variances (or modifications) of Zoning site development regulations, and off-street parking requirements, and signs regulations, as well as hears and decides appeals of administrative actions under Chapter 25-2 (Zoning) in the City of Austin Land Development Code. The BOA consists of members appointed by the Austin City Council. Visit the Board of Adjustment webpage to learn more.
City Arborist - The City Arborist group reviews projects for compliance with the City of Austin's Tree Ordinance . Visit the City Arborist webpage to learn more.
Environmental - The Environmental review is primarily concerned with the enforcement of the regulations detailed in Chapter 25-8 , Subchapter A; and Chapter 25-2, Subchapter C, Article 9 of the City’s Land Development Code; and portions of Section 1 and Section 2 of the Environmental Criteria Manual , and consist of such regulations as impervious cover restrictions per individual watershed classification, stream buffer preservation, grading and construction on slopes restrictions, erosion and sedimentation control regulations, and landscaping.
Water Quality and Drainage - The Water Quality and Drainage engineers are responsible for ensuring that development projects within the City’s jurisdiction comply with the Land Development Code, design criteria, and standard engineering principles. Specific areas of responsibility include flood management, stormwater conveyance and mitigation, surface water quality, roadway design and facility, and stream bank structural stability. Visit the Water Quality and Drainage webpage to learn more and to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment.
Partner Department Reviews and Resources
In the AB+C Portal, you can see all reviews assigned to a subdivision and the point of contact for each type of review. Please note this list is not comprehensive and required partner department reviews are dependent on project specifics.
Address Management Services (Communications & Technology Management Department) - Visit the Address Management Services webpage to request address verification, reserve street names, view addressing changes, and review standards.
Austin Energy Department - Visit the Service Design & Planning webpage to learn more about their processes, standards, and code.
Austin Fire Department - Austin Fire Department's (AFD) Fire Protection engineers are primarily responsible for fire safety features in the design of buildings, including the design of the overall site, and new and renovated buildings. Visit the AFD Plan Review webpage to learn more.
Austin Water Department - There are multiple review groups within the Austin Water Department. Visit the Utility Development Services webpage to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment.
Land Management (Transportation & Public Works Department) - The Land Management team assists customers with obtaining rights for the use of City right-of-way and easements (streets, sidewalks, alleys, public utilities). Visit the Land Management webpage to learn more.
Law Department -The Land Use and Real Estate Division provide legal advice, legislative drafting, and transactional and contractual assistance to specific City departments on real estate, zoning, land development, environmental protection, and endangered species. The LUR Estate Division reviews legal documents submissions such as easements. View all Easement and Restrictive Covenant templates on the Forms and Applications webpage .
Parks and Recreation Department - A subdivision applicant must provide for the parkland needs of the residents by the dedication of suitable land for park and recreation purposes or by payment of a fee in lieu of land. The City may require dedication of land if the proposed development is in a park-deficient area and/or meets other dedication criteria. Visit the Parkland Dedication webpage to learn more about these regulations.
Transportation & Public Works Department - Visit the Transportation and Public Works Department webpage to learn more about review services to developers/applicants and their consultants on all aspects of transportation associated with a proposed development/redevelopment.
Watershed Protection Department - The Watershed Protection Planning Division ushers new or updated rules and ordinances through the stakeholder process, ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, and supports the department’s GIS functions. Visit Watershed's Administrative Criteria and Ordinances webpage to learn more about the current watershed regulations by zone and watershed classification.
*This is not a complete list; not all reviews apply to all applications.
Fees and Online ToolsFor more information, visit the Fees webpage.
The Property Profile tool answers questions about specified properties and development regulations within the City. With Property Profile, you can search for information, see aerial images, including street views, create custom maps, download data, and run a report detailing a specified property.
The Land Development Information Services staff can answer general questions regarding the land status determination process (i.e., exceptions to subdivision planting) and determine if the property is a platted lot.
Expected Appointment Duration: 20 minutes
The Land Development Information Services staff can answer general questions regarding the subdivision application process, application requirements, and determine if the property is a platted lot.
Expected Appointment Duration: 20 minutes
Ask Land Use Review Intake staff questions regarding how to fill out and submit a new Subdivision application. Appointments are not for submitting an application.
Expected Appointment Duration: 15 minutes
