A subdivision ordinance controls the division of a tract of land for building and development purposes. It includes standards for the design and layout of lots, streets, utilities, and other public improvements, as well as procedures and requirements to ensure that public improvements are available when it is time to build on the lots.
A Plat is an official map showing actual or planned features, such as streets, utilities, and building lots. In the instance of property lines, resizing or creating new or subdividing tracts, an official plat must be issued through our universal Development Application (available through our Online Permits Portal).
Golden Subdivision Process
In Golden there is an application for a Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, Minor Plat and a Lot Line Adjustment.
All Subdivision Applications use our universal Development Application with the associated prices.
- Preliminary Plat: $700 + $25/lot; or +$25/acre for non single family detached projects
- Final Plat: $500 + $25/lot; or + $25/acre for non single family detached projects
- Minor Plat: $600
- Lot Line Adjustment Fee: $300
Applying for a Minor Plat
To qualify as a Minor Plat, the subdivision must meet the definition of “Subdivision (minor)” Section 17.20 of our Municipal Code. The definition includes property that is no more than 5 acres in size and not more than 5 lots. Section 17.30.030 outlines the review and approval process.
Step 1: Applicant schedules a presubmittal conference, with a sketch plan of the city and vicinity, and all contiguous property under the ownership of the applicant. The plan should be to scale, show existing abutting streets on the site, drainage channels, adjacent land uses, proposed lots, tracts, and land uses on the site.
Step 2: Informal meeting with applicant to review feasibility, location, and potential process of development. Within 16 days, the applicant receives a letter from staff regarding required application items, the applicable subdivision process, and any public dedication requirements.
Step 3: Applicant turns in the Development Application found through our Online Permits Portal and accompanying components, and the accompanying fee of $600.
Step 4: Neighboring property owners and residents will be notified and will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed Plat Revisions.
Step 5: The Planning Division will review the application and approve, approve with conditions, or deny the minor plat as presented. The applicant and neighboring properties then have the option to appeal to decision to the Planning Commission if he/she does not agree with the decision and then to the City Council if they choose to further the appeal.
Applicant can expect the process to take a minimum of 45 days.
If you have any further questions or inquiries, please call the Planning Division at 303-384-8097.
Applying for a Sketch Plan Review
A Sketch Plan Review is necessary for raw ground that has never seen the Planning or Review process before to begin discussions of use and ownership.
The process follows the same general steps as in a “Minor” Plat review, with an added mandatory Planning Commission Hearing and Action meeting. The fee for a Sketch Plan Review is $500 + $30/ acre for the 1st 50 acres, with the accompanying Development Application available through our Online Permits Portal.
A Preliminary Plat Section 17.30.040 follows the same process as above, but is more extensive and requires a Planning Commission hearing and action meeting, where Commission recommends to City Council an approval, approval with conditions or disapproval. The City Council has the final authority of decision. It is in the Preliminary Plat process that a phasing scheme for the Final Plat Process is developed.
Applicant can expect the process to take a minimum of 60 days.
If you have any further questions or inquiries, please call the Planning Division at 303-384-8097.
Applying for a Final Plat
A Final Plat Section 17.30.050 follows the same general process as above, but is a follow up and a review for conformance with the Preliminary Plat approval and requires a City Council Hearing for approval.
Applicant can expect the process to take a minimum of 45 days.
If you have any further questions or inquiries, please call the Planning Division at 303-384-8097.
Lot Line Adjustment Fee
Lot Line Adjustment Fee means a survey document approved according to the provisions of this Title that relocates or deletes one or more existing lot lines within adjacent lots or ownerships within an approved subdivision, provided that the total area of property contained within the Lot Line Adjustment survey does not exceed twenty-one thousand (21,000) square feet.
It is a simple process within the Development Application and requires a set fee of $300.
Applicant can expect the process to take a minimum of 45 days.
If you have any further questions or inquiries, please call the Planning Division at 303-384-8097.
