I created a subdivision pamphlet for the city of Williamsburg as an educational tool

1. Su b d i vi si on
R eg u l a t i on s i n t h e
Ci t y o f
Wi l l i a m sb u r g
What is a Subdivision Organization
Regulation ?
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 A Guide to Subdivision Regulation
build roads, connect to city ser- Reed T. Nester, AICP, Planning Director
Carolyn A. Murphy, AICP, Deputy Planning
vices, draw lot lines, define sus- A Guide to Subdivision Regulation Director
Rodney S. Rhodes, CZA, Zoning Administrator
tainable locations for construc- Karen Kelly, Senior Secretary
planning@williamsburgva.gov
tion to occur, allocate open Reed T. Nester, AICP, Planning Director
Phone: 757-220-6130
Fax: 757-259-8050
Carolyn A. Murphy, AICP, Deputy Planning
space, and regulate how the plat Director Disclaimer
Rodney S. Rhodes, CZA, Zoning Administrator
should control storm water. Karen Kelly, Senior Secretary This Brochure is for informational and educational purposes only and is not
planning@williamsburgva.gov intended as legal advice. It has been prepared by Wesley Winner as a course
Phone: 757-220-6130
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-
By Wesley Winner of Shippensburg University 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

2. A Gu id e to Su bdiv isio n Re g u la tion s in W illia m sb u rg , VA
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.
What must be on a final Subdivision Plan?
 Subdivision regulations are designed to protect the custom-
ers who purchase these homes in new developments. It  Topography of the property.
ensures that each new developments is complete with all  Boundaries of the property
What is the purpose of Subdivision the services and infrastructure that are expected by the
Regulations? purchasers of new homes.  Streets, including names.
 Subdivision regulations are also designed to eliminated
 Utilities
Subdivision Regulations prevent a inaccessible neighborhoods.  Protection areas
development to occur that does  Storm water management plans, including the environ-
not agree with Williamsburg’s mis- mental assessment.
sion of promoting the health, safety
 Wetlands and other water bodies
and general welfare of the public.
 Number of lots, location and size of lots
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 Without regulations some neighborhoods would be designed with-
Sidewalks out public water, sewer, or electrical connections. Some neighbor-
Lot sizes and the size of blocks are regulated to insure hoods may be too far from services and not have easy access to the
that the average lot size throughout the city is agreeable.
There must be a space allocated for playgrounds parks,
rest of the city. All Subdivision Plans require a public hearing before
and especially in large subdivisions there must be a loca- the Planning Board can recommend the plan to city
tion sited for a school. The storm water management council.
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 All landowners who are planning to subdivide and de- All Subdivision plans require an application and a fee
to connect to the utilities. Street widths are regulated to
relieve traffic congestion and to keep automobiles safe. velop their plats are required to submit a subdivision Please contact the Planning Department for further
Street names are regulated in order to assure that dupli- information.
cation of names does not occur and to make directions application to the city.
easier. Streets that run in line with an already existing 575-220-6130
street must have the same name as the existing street.