A subdivision is the division or re-division of a tract of land into lots, plats, or sites for development purposes; any lot, plat, or site of which is less than three (3) acres in area.  Subdivisions of land are to be shown on a subdivision plat prepared by a registered land surveyor, registered in the State of Missouri.  The subdivision plat, along with an application and the review fee, is submitted to the Planning Services Division where it is reviewed and scheduled for the Planning and Zoning Commission.  The Planning and Zoning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council.  The plat then goes to the City Council for final approval.  Record plats of subdivisions are accepted by a council ordinance, which must have three readings.  Once the ordinance is in effect, the plat must then be recorded in the recorder of Deeds Office for Cape Girardeau County.  Lots may be sold and building permits issued once the plat has been recorded and two recorded copies returned to Planning Services.

The subdivision review fee is:

$18.00 per lot for one and two family residential with a $90.00 minimum

$18.00 per dwelling unit for multi-family residential with a $90.00 minimum

$18.00 per acre for commercial/industrial with a $90.00 minimum

Formal subdivision plats are not required when a property line is adjusted between two parcels of land.  However, the City does require that a plat of the survey used to transfer the property segments be submitted.  This simplified method can be used provided that no additional lots are created and no original lot is reduced below the minimum size required by the Subdivision Regulations or the Zoning Ordinance.