Subdivision Standards

Overview

Subdivision Standards promote the public health, safety and general welfare of present and future residents by ensuring that any subdivisions of land result in:

• Patterns of lots, blocks, streets, open space, and sites for public facilities that are consistent with the city's adopted Comprehensive Plan, Blueprint Boise;
• New developable lots having thorough and efficient networks of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular access and networks of utilities that are efficient and cost-effective to maintain;
• Systems of open space and stormwater drainage, and other natural areas that connect with and complement similar areas on adjacent lots where possible;
• Improved energy efficiency;
• Avoidance of development on lands such as water bodies, floodways, landslides and fault zones, steep slopes, unstable soils, and wildlife and habitat areas; and
• Prevention of noise-sensitive land uses or other uses that would conflict with the operations of the airport.

Read the Code

Property Line Adjustment

These standards require the review and approval of a Record of Survey to ensure the parcels resulting from the subdivision of conforming lots of record and residential small lots are conforming, buildable parcels. They also address parcel consolidation.

Minor Land Division

These standards intend to incentivize the development of affordable housing by allowing projects that comply with the affordability incentives to create up to four buildable parcels requiring the review and approval of a Record of Survey, rather than the additional steps of the review and approval of a Preliminary and Final Plat which may otherwise be required. The specific conditions of these standards must be met to qualify as a Minor Land Division and receive the incentives.

Subdivision of Land

These standards apply to all divisions of land into parcels of one or more lots or tracts, except when those divisions are exempt under Record of Survey process. The standards include requirements for

• Design standards, including sensitive lands, access and connectivity, common drives, design, block numbering, and lot layout;
• Utility and pathway easements; and
• Subdivision buffers along an arterial and collector street.

Required Improvements

To ensure the long-term viability of the subdivision of land, these standards require that specific improvements are constructed to comply with specific resource and design related requirements outlined in the code, including:

• Filing of plans and financial surety;
• Water lines and hydrants;
• Sanitary sewer;
• Drainage;
• Irrigation conveyance;
• Street lighting;
• Access and connectivity improvements;
• Land dedications, including general uses and park or school sites;
• Landscaping;
• Pressure irrigation;
• Written assurance; and
• Proof of compliance.