Planning Department

Subdivision Regulations Fact Sheet

The Subdivision Regulations have been amended:

To fine-tune the procedures for plat approval of Chapter 2 based on five years of implementation;
To add references to the Community Character Manual Land Use Policies;
To make minor modifications to Chapters 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8; and
To update the requirements of Chapters 3 and 6.

Importance of Subdivision Regulations

The first major step in the development process is to divide a parcel of land into lots and streets. How land is divided defines the pattern of a community, which in turn shapes its character.

Dividing land also defines traffic circulation patterns and access, dedicates rights-of way, and reserves tracts of land to protect environmental resources (floodplains, wetlands, forested areas). Subdivision regulations guide development of land consistent with the established policies of the Metro Nashville Government. Subdivision regulations provide the community with an opportunity to ensure that new neighborhoods and developments are properly designed and that new subdivisions are integrated into the community.

Flow Chart of the Subdivision Approval Process

Highlights of the May 26, 2011 Amendments to the Subdivision Regulations

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Chapter Purpose: Provides the authority to regulate subdivisions.

Amendment Highlight:

Reference to Lakewood as a satellite city removed

Chapter 2. Procedures for Plat Approvals

Chapter Purpose: Describes the application and review procedures for subdividing land.

Amendment Highlights:

Concept plans are effective for four years instead of the current two years for a concept plan and two years for a development plan
Expiration of the approval of a development plan is tied to the expiration of the associated concept plan for a total of four years for both
The addition of new standards for determining the removal of the reserve status on a parcel
Extend the expiration of final plat approval to one year. (Section 2-5.5)
Allow existing non-conforming structures to remain in infill subdivisions, but no building permits permitted. (Section 2-9.5)
Additional clarification of the classification of subdivision
Addition of purpose section for concept plans, development plans and final plats
Six week notification prior to the expiration of a concept plan

Chapter 3. Requirements for Improvements, Reservations, and Designs

Chapter Purpose: Describes the development and design standards for subdivisions.

Amendment Highlights:

Addition of new regulations to provide an opportunity for lots to front onto open spaces
Modification of the Lot Comparability requirements with new standards to ensure infill subdivisions complement existing development. Section is renamed Infill Subdivisions
Clarification of requirements for sidewalks, sidewalks will be required on all lots created in infill subdivisions, new requirements for bicycle facilities have been added
Minimum widths of sidewalks outside of residential districts will be consistent with the Public Works Department
Clarify that, for infill subdivisions that create an odd number of lots, one lot may not require shared access. (Section 3-5.3)
Clarify that, for infill subdivisions on a corner lot, sidewalks are only required on the lot frontages. (Section 3-8.2.c)
Addition of reference to urban and rural subdivision options of Chapters 4 and 5
Clarification of access to arterial and collector streets
Deletion of lot width restrictions

Chapter 4. Conservation Subdivisions

Chapter Purpose: Enables a development that groups housing on the more buildable portion of a tract, while preserving at least 50 percent of the tract including natural drainage systems, open space, and environmentally and culturally sensitive areas.

Amendment Highlight:

References to Community Character Manual Land Use Policies added

Chapter 5. Walkable Subdivisions

Chapter Purpose: Provides standards to support more walkable subdivisions through improved connections, reduced block lengths, discouragement of cul-de-sacs, and the provision of context sensitive street design.

Amendment Highlight:

Revised number of units surrounding a common open space from 10 to 12 to correspond with a recent text amendment for the Zoning Code

Chapter 6. Assurance for Completion and Maintenance of Improvements

Chapter Purpose: Describes the process for an applicant to guarantee the completion and maintenance of required improvements following final plat of subdivision approval.

Amendment Highlights:

Elimination of a type of security document no longer accepted by Metro
Clarification of the number of reductions permitted for any one bond.
Amount of reduction to bonds permitted increased if sufficient funds remain to complete any outstanding infrastructure.

Chapter 7. Definitions

Chapter Purpose: Defines the words and terms used in the regulations.

Amendment Highlights:

The modification of certain definitions, primarily to incorporate the new CCM land use policies and to incorporate the new street-related definitions based on the adopted Major and Collector Street Plan Update.
The addition of new definitions based on amendments to Chapter 3.