GENERAL PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO SUBDIVISION APPROVAL AND PLATTING REQUIREMENTS

Saint Paul Legislative Code tit. VIII, ch. 69, art. III

in effect

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.300 Subdivision approval.

Sec. 69.300. - Subdivision approval. (a) All subdivisions shall be subject to the regulations set forth in this chapter and subject to the approval or disapproval of the city. (b) No person shall subdivide land without first obtaining the city's approval as herein required. (c) No person shall convey any land without first obtaining the required subdivision approval. (d) No person shall obtain a building permit until the preliminary plat for the required subdivision has been approved. (C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.301 Platting required.

Sec. 69.301. - Platting required. A plat shall be required when a subdivision: (1) Creates five (5) or more lots or parcels each of which is two and one-half (2½) acres or less in size; or (2) Requires paved streets, alleys and other public improvements or services; or (3) Is previously unplatted land. (C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.302 Platting not required.

Sec. 69.302. - Platting not required. Platting shall not be required when the subdivision constitutes a lot split or adjustment of common boundaries as defined in section 69.200. (C.F. No. 95-794, § 2, 8-9-95; C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.303 Lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries.

Sec. 69.303. - Lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries. The procedures for obtaining approval for lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries are set forth herein. (C.F. No. 95-794, § 2, 8-9-95; C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.304 Approval of lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries.

Sec. 69.304. - Approval of lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries. Lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries are permitted without platting, provided the following conditions are met: (1) The lot or lots have frontage on an existing improved street (except for back lots) and access to municipal services. For back lots, an easement for pedestrian and municipal services access and house number visibility must be provided as required under 69.508(j). (2) The lot or lots to be divided are previously platted land. (3) The lot or lots meet the minimum standards for lot width and area for the zoning district in which they are located. (4) The division of the lots shall not cause a remaining part of a lot to become a separately described tract which does not meet the minimum standards of the zoning district in which it is located or which does not have street frontage and access to municipal services. (5) The division does not result in a split zoning classification on a single lot. (6) The division does not result in the creation of a nonconforming structure or use. (7) No lot shall be created where the building pad area for the principal structure has an existing slope steeper than eighteen (18) percent or where a driveway steeper than twenty (20) percent is required to reach the building site. However, the planning administrator may approve the creation of a steeper lot, as an exception to this regulation, where the steeper lot is specifically consistent with a city-approved neighborhood plan or redevelopment project. (C.F. No. 95-794, § 2, 8-9-95; C.F. No. 03-235, § 1, 4-16-03; C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04; Ord 23-43, § 8, 10-18-23)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.305 Application.

Sec. 69.305. - Application. Application for approval for lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries shall be submitted to the planning administrator on forms furnished by the planning division and shall include six (6) copies of a certificate of survey drawn to an engineer's scale with the new lots and new legal descriptions including: (1) Scale and north direction. (2) Dimensions of the property. (3) Names and location of adjacent streets. (4) Locations of existing buildings on and within twenty-five (25) feet of the subject property. (5) Other information may be required, such as a grading plan or contour map, to fully represent the intent of the lot split or to determine if the lot split meets the intent and requirements of this chapter. (C.F. No. 95-794, § 2, 8-9-95; C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.306 Planning administrator and board of zoning appeals approval.

Sec. 69.306. - Planning administrator and board of zoning appeals approval. (a) The planning administrator shall have the authority to approve those lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries which meet all of the required conditions in section 69.304. In approving lot splits and adjustments of common boundaries, the planning administrator shall review the application for compliance with section 69.304 and cause the application to be reviewed by the public works department and other affected city departments, if appropriate, and shall notify the applicant of any required modifications. When all conditions are met and modifications made, the planning administrator shall stamp the survey as approved. Such surveys and legal descriptions shall then be recorded. In instances where a variance from one (1) or more of the conditions for a lot split or adjustment of common boundary is needed, the planning administrator shall not approve it until a variance from the board of zoning appeals is granted. (b) Where condition (3), (6) or (7) of section 69.304 is not met, the board of zoning appeals shall hold a public hearing to consider the variance from the required condition. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of sections 64.201 through 64.209 of this Code which give the board of zoning appeals the power to grant variances from the strict enforcement of the Code upon making the required findings of section 64.203. (c) If a proposed lot split creates a new property line that bisects a building or other structure, a common wall agreement shall be filed on the deeds for both new parcels. This provision is intended to satisfy all of the zoning requirements for setbacks in lieu of a variance, but does not supersede any building code requirements resulting from the proposed lot split. (d) A notice of decision shall be provided by United States Mail to all record owners of adjoining property as listed on the property tax records in the Office of the Ramsey County Recorder. This notice shall be provided on the same date that any preliminary or final decision regarding a lot split or adjustment of common boundary application is provided to the applicant. (C.F. No. 95-794, § 2, 8-9-95; C.F. No. 03-235, § 1, 4-16-03; C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04; Ord 15-32, § 1, 7-22-15)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.308 Application procedures.

Sec. 69.308. - Application procedures. Applications for approval of all proposed subdivisions and plats shall be filed in the office of the planning administrator. The planning administrator shall prescribe the forms to be used, and the city council, by resolution, shall establish fees for said application. (C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 69.309 Optional preapplications—Sketch plan.

Sec. 69.309. - Optional preapplications—Sketch plan. (a) Request. Any subdivider may request a preapplication conference with the office of planning administration for the purpose of determining if the proposed plat complies with requirements of this chapter. In no case shall preapplication constitute formal application for a subdivision plat. (b) Preapplication requirements. Subdividers shall submit the following to the planning administrator for the purposes of preapplication: (1) A site location map showing the relationship of the proposed subdivision to existing community facilities; these shall include, but not be limited to, major streets, schools, commercial centers and other significant developments. (2) A sketch plan of the proposed subdivision including: a. Tract boundaries. b. North point and scale. c. Streets within and adjacent to the tract. d. Significant topographical and physical features. e. General street design within the subdivision. f. General lot size and orientation within the subdivision. (3) A general statement of proposed development of the subdivision. (C.F. No. 03-1028, § 1, 4-7-04)

Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITVIIIZOCO_CH69ZOCOUBRE_ARTIIIGEPRPESUAPPLREFetched: 11/1/2026