Can I Subdivide My Lot? 5 Things You Need to Know
So, you own a piece of property, and you're thinking, “Can I subdivide my land?” That sounds like a great idea, right? Not so fast. There are a few things you need to know before you go ahead with your plans.
Subdividing land can be a great way to maximize your investment, but it should not be done lightly. Before proceeding with any subdivision plans, several important factors must be considered. In this blog post, we'll give you an overview of some of the things you need to consider before subdivision.
1. Engage a Town Planner
The first port of call is engaging a town planner. Tactica Planning can access the Council databases that identify the zoning of your property. Every Council has unique subdivision policies including minimum lot size and residential density, which are used to assess subdivisions and will influence your prospects of success. Other factors,such as local and State restrictions on vegetation clearing and available access to infrastructure also are important considerations.
If you're considering subdividing a property, you'll need a planner that understands the subdivision development process in your area and who can recommend the right advisors and sub-consultants. Residential subdivision development almost always requires approval from the local Council, and there are specific processes that Councils nominate that your town planner must follow. The requirements vary depending on the jurisdiction, so it's important to consult with your planner to coordinate with the Council planning department to determine what steps you need to take to create your new blocks.
2. Get an Appraisal
Although not a Council requirement, it may be wise to request an appraisal of your property first. This will give you a good idea of the land's value, which will help you price it correctly when you put it on the market. Remember that just because your land is large doesn't mean it's worth more than smaller pieces of land; in fact, it may be worth less per square foot due to the extra infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.) required to develop it. An accurate appraisal, combined with a detailed understanding of the costs of subdivision, will give you the information you may need to start the project, and to price your land correctly when it goes to market.
3. Hire a Surveyor
Once you've checked local laws and had your property appraised, the next step is to request that your town planner recommend a surveyor. A professional surveyor will be able to recommend the best way to subdivide your land, taking into consideration things like topography, easements, and setbacks. They will also create an official survey map of your property which will be needed when applying for building permits (more on that later).
4. Apply for a Development Permit (Reconfiguring a Lot)
After your property has been surveyed, your town planner will coordinate all the relevant inputs from subconsultants (i.e. survey, engineering, traffic advice, etc) to document and lodge your development permit application (also known as a Reconfiguring a Lot application). The process for obtaining these permits can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another, and your town planner will be able to explain specific requirements within your Council.
5. Find a Buyer (or Ten)
Last but not least, once everything is said and done and your subdivision is ready to go, you'll need to find buyers for each of the individual home sites. This can be done through traditional methods like working with real estate agents or by marketing directly to builder-developers who specialise in this type of project. Whichever route you choose, make sure you price each site competitively in order to attract buyers and get started on creating a return on your investment!
Gold Coast is a haven for residential and commercial planning and development. Tactica Planning are experienced and knowledgeable planners, and have the skills and industry relationships that will ensure success for your project. Have a look at Tactica’s projects page.
We hope this blog post has given you a better understanding of some of the things you need to consider about the subdivision process. Tactica would be pleased to discuss any questions you have before you make any decisions about the process of subdividing land or development projects.