Type I subdivisions are reviewed and approved administratively.  Type II subdivisions are reviewed by Planning Commission.

Pre-Application Meeting

Prior to application for any type of subdivision, the applicant will need to schedule a pre-application meeting.  Staff has initiated this meeting as a means of reviewing the proposal and providing input on the platting process and requirements. There is a $200 fee for the pre-application meeting.

At the pre-application meeting staff will advise you regarding the appropriate review process and discuss the technical requirements of the plat submittal.

Submittal

After the pre-application meeting, a formal application may be submitted. Please refer to the Subdivision Checklist below for all submittal requirements; staff is unable to accept incomplete applications.                                                                                          

Submittal Review

After a complete application is submitted, a staff planner will be assigned to handle the case.  This person is the project manager for the case and will be the contact at the City throughout the entire subdivision review process.

The case manager will review the submittal application for content and the proposal will be referred to outside service agencies (Xcel Energy, water district, fire district, etc.) and other City agencies (Engineering Division, Public Works, Economic Development, etc.) for their review and comment, generally for a period of 15 days.  After all comments have been received, the case manager will forward those to the applicant.  Modifications to the plat document may be required as a result of these comments.  This review and comment process can occur more than once.

Depending on the type of platting application, review may be administrative or require public hearings as detailed below.  Information regarding the specific process will be discussed at the pre-application conference. 

Type I Subdivision Review Process

Type I subdivision plats are those that conform to all subdivision and zoning regulations and do not include right-of-way vacations, waivers, or variances. The review of Type I subdivisions is administrative; no public hearing is required. The vast majority of subdivisions fall into the Type I category. 

Once all comments have been addressed to the case managers’ satisfaction, a blackline photographic mylar will be submitted to the Community Development Department with appropriate recording fees.   Findings will be prepared by the case manager for the Community Development Director who will sign the plat document mylar for recordation.  

Type II Subdivision Review Process

Type II subdivision plats are those that require a waiver or variance for approval. This type of subdivision requires approval from the Planning Commission. 

Once all comments have been addressed to the case managers’ satisfaction, the application can be scheduled for public hearing in front of Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission is a body of appointed Wheat Ridge citizens that reviews various land use proposals.  Publication in the JeffCo Transcript, notice to adjacent landowners within 600 feet, and posting of the property with signs are required prior to the Planning Commission hearing.  The City will coordinate the publication, will mail the notices of the hearing, and will provide the applicant with the posting signs.  The notifications and postings must occur at least 15 days prior to the public hearing.

The case manager will prepare a staff report with findings on the variance or waiver criteria, and a recommendation which will be presented at the Planning Commission public hearing.   At the hearing, after the staff report is given, the applicant and members of the audience will be given a chance to give testimony regarding the application.  Generally, a decision will be made that same night. Sometimes a case will be continued to another hearing date for further study and input.

Keep in mind that public hearings are quasi-judicial in nature. Please do not contact Planning Commissioners to discuss the merits of the caser prior to the public hearing.  It could jeopardize their ability to impartially hear the case. 

Right-of-Way Vacations

Subdivisions requiring vacation of existing City right-of-way (ROW) are processed as ROW Vacations subject to the regulations in Section 26-118 of the City Code. Review of any ROW vacation requires two public hearings, a recommendation hearing at Planning Commission and final approval at a City Council hearing.  

ROW vacations can be processed in two ways:

• By plat: The right-of-way is vacated as part of the platting process. Any subdivision otherwise qualifying as Type I or Type II but containing a ROW vacation will be processed as a ROW vacation which requires the two public hearings. When ROW was previously dedicated by a plat, it shall be vacated by a plat.
• By ordinance: When ROW was previously dedicated by separate instrument, it can be vacated by ordinance or by plat. Applications for vacations by ordinance (i.e., separate from a plat) can be originated by the City or a private property owner. Ordinances also require the two public hearings.           

Keep in mind that the public hearings are quasi-judicial in nature. Please do not contact Planning Commissioners or City Councilors to discuss the merits of the caser prior to the public hearing.  It could jeopardize their ability to impartially hear the case.

Next Steps

A subdivision does not become effective until the plat document is recorded with the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s office.

Within 90 days of approval, a blackline mylar of the plat with original signatures and recording fees must be provided to the City for recording with the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s office. There may be other fees required to be paid prior to plat recording, such as streetscape improvements fees in lieu of construction.   A subdivision improvement agreement with financial security may be required if public improvements are required to be installed.  This agreement is executed and recorded at the time of subdivision mylar recording.

Please be aware that this information is only a general overview of the process and submittal requirements for platting land.   There may be additional requirements specific to each case and the overall length of the process can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the case.  As each subdivision request is different, the purpose of the aforementioned pre-application meeting is for staff to review conceptual plans and give the applicant more information specific to his or her proposal.

Questions?

Contact the Community Development Department by phone at 303-235-2846 or by email at zoning@ci.wheatridge.co.us. 

Review timelines:

• Type I subdivisions take roughly four to five months to process and are reviewed administratively.
• Type II subdivisions take roughly six to seven months to process and the Planning Commission is the deciding body.
• Please contact the case manager to confirm current review times. 

Application Contents:

The following items represent a complete subdivision application. This submittal checklist applies to all types of plat applications. Please contact a staff planner with any questions about your specific application.

• Completed land use application form
• Application fee
• Proof of ownership—e.g. deed
• Written authorization from property owner(s) if an agent acts on behalf of the owner(s)
• Mineral rights certification form—required for plats are reviewed at a public hearing
• Commitment for title insurance—required for all major and minor subdivisions and right-of-way dedications
• Written request and description of the proposal 
• Geodetic Surveying Requirements for Final Plats checklist—completed & signed by surveyor
• Closure sheet for the exterior boundary and for all individual lots—boundary must close within a limit of 1:50,000 
• Subdivision plat document
• PDF in 24 x 36-inch format
• AutoCAD .dwg file format—confirm acceptable version with city staff 
• Civil construction documents, if required  
• Electronic (Adobe .pdf) files of all submittal documents and .dwg file of the plat—these may be provided via email or Dropbox/Drive links

Form and content of Subdivision Plat:

Project information

• Title of document – centered at top of page “[Subdivision Name] Located in the ___ 1/4 Section, Township 3 South, Range 69 West of the 6th Principal Meridian…”
• Complete metes and bounds legal description compliant with Geodetic Surveying Requirements:
  • On Current City Datum (ground-based modified form of NAD83/92 (NAD83 HARN) State Plane coordinate system)
  • Includes section ties to Section corners, Quarter Section corners, or to City of Wheat Ridge Permanent High Accuracy Control (PHAC) points
• Basis of bearing statement
• Small scale vicinity map – with north arrow and scale
• Name/Address/Phone number(s) of architect, engineer, or surveyor associated with the project
• Certification blocks – including for surveyor, owner, City, and County (see cover items handout)
• Standard easement notes (see cover items handout), if applicable
• Ownership/unified control statement, if applicable
• Dedicatory statement, if applicable
• Data table with total area of site and area of individual lots (in square feet and acres) 
• Case history box and date of preparation (case numbers will be provided by staff)
• Plat note in the form of, and if required by, Code section 26-421 declaring race or religion-based covenants on the subject property, if any, to be illegal and unenforceable
• Description/purpose of all Tracts being created, if applicable (e.g. Tract A: Detention Pond, Tract B: Common open space and drive aisles, etc.) with an ownership and maintenance table for those Tracts (e.g. homeowners’ association or metro district)

Graphical information

• Graphical representation of the property boundary corresponds with the legal description
• Point of Beginning and Point of Commencement are shown
• Monument information – including City-based monument identification number and coordinates on Current City Datum
• Existing and proposed lot lines, with appropriate information:
  • Include distances and bearings on Current City Datum
  • Round all distances to the nearest 0.01-foot and all angular measurements to the nearest second
  • Provide the arc length, chord length, chord bearing, central angle, and radius for all curves
  • Show lot lines as “Hereby [created/removed] by this plat”
• Existing and proposed street right-of-way, with appropriate information:
  • Include all adjacent ROW widths and distances from ROW centerline to corners of subject property boundary 
  • Show right-of-way dedications as “Hereby dedicated by this plat”
  • Label street names
• Existing and proposed easements
  • Show location, purpose, and dimensions of all easements 
  • Distances and bearings shall be consistent with the Current City Datum
• Location and dimensions of public right-of-way dedication, if any
• Subdivision name and lot and block numbers for adjacent properties – all adjoining parcels not previously platted are shown as “UNPLATTED”
• Legend, north arrow, and scale – scale not to exceed 1”= 100’
• Section ties to a minimum of two (2) property corners are included
• NOS/NGS Statement of Accuracy included
• All Set & Found property pins are identified
• All encroachments or gaps have been clearly identified including any necessary note(s) 
• All lineal units are shown as being in U.S. SURVEY FEET
• A description of the Current City Datum is included (refer to Geodetic Surveying Requirements)
• Location of the 100-year floodplain and floodway, if applicable
• The sheet margins are 2” on the left, 1” on top, and ½” on sides

Additional information which may be required:

Depending on the size, scope, and complexity of the request additional documents may be required.  The submission of these documents will be discussed during the pre-application meeting.   This includes, but is not limited to, the following documents (Adobe .pdf file is required):

• Trip generation or traffic report
• Final Drainage Report & Plan
• Grading, drainage, and erosion control plan
• Stormwater management plan (SWMP)
• Stormwater operations and maintenance manual (O&M Manual)
• Civil construction plans, including details and street sections for construction of all public improvements (if applicable)
• Subdivision Improvement Agreement or Development Covenant Agreement – template to be provided by staff
• Owners’ association declaration or agreement – required for subdivisions where an owners’ association is required by City due to presence of common elements or tracts, to be submitted prior to building permit
• Conceptual utility plans – required to gauge the appropriateness of proposed easements
• Soils Report
• Phase I Environmental Assessment
• Improvement Survey Plat and/or Improvement Location Certificate
• Site Plan (if being processed concurrently with site plan application)

Applicants must ensure that all of the above requirements have been included with submittal.  If any items listed on this checklist have been excluded, the documents will NOT be distributed for City review.  In the event that any revisions need to be made after the second full review, applicable resubmittal fees shall apply.

The geodetic surveying requirements checklist is contained in the packet linked below and is required to be provided with Subdivision application.

Land Surveying Information Packet
This form is in PDF format and designed for you to print a blank form

Scroll down and choose the correct plat type and signature blocks and notes.

Type 1 Subdivision Plat (No Right-of-Way Dedication)

Required signature blocks and notes

SURVEYOR’S CERTIFICATE

I, ___________________ do hereby certify that the survey of the boundary of  (subdivision name) was made by me or under my direct supervision and to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, in accordance with all applicable Colorado statutes, current revised edition as amended, the accompanying plat accurately represents said survey.       

                                                   ___________________

(Surveyor’s Seal)                                   Signature

OWNER’S CERTIFICATE

I/We, (choose one)_____________, being the owner(s) of real property containing ____ acres described as follows:

Description: (Insert surveyed property legal description of entire area being platted)

have laid out, subdivided and platted said land as per the drawing hereon contained into lots and tracts under the name and style of   (insert subdivision name), a subdivision of a part of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado and by these presents do dedicate to the City of Wheat Ridge and those municipally owned and/or municipally franchised utilities and services those portions of real property shown as easements for the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement for all services. This includes but is not limited to telephone and electric lines, gas lines, water and sanitary sewer lines, hydrants, storm water systems and pipes, detention ponds, street lights and all appurtenances thereto.

_____________________

Owner

State of Colorado          )

                                      ) SS

County of Jefferson       )

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____Day of ________, A.D. 20___ by__________________.

Witness my hand and official seal. My commission expires:

_________________

Notary Public

CITY CERTIFICATION

Approved this ____ day of ______, ______ by the City of Wheat Ridge. 

ATTEST

_____________                        _____________

City Clerk                                  Mayor

_______________________________

Community Development Director

CROSS ACCESS EASEMENT 

The owner, its successors and assigns grants limited rights and privileges to access and to free movement through those areas indicated as ‘cross-access easements’, as illustrated upon this plat. Such grant of easement shall be limited to the owners, tenants, customers, and guests of the owners, and shall furthermore grant access to and free movement through said easements to those entering said easements from similarly recorded easements from adjacent properties and/or from abutting public streets.

STORMWATER

For plats with a platted stormwater detention easement or tract, use the following example:

The stormwater detention/water quality area within areas here shown as _(e.g. Tract A and/or drainage easement)___ shall be constructed and maintained by the owner and subsequent owners, heirs, successors and assigns. In the event that such construction and maintenance is not performed by said owner, the City of Wheat Ridge shall have the right to enter such area and perform necessary work, the cost of which said owner, heirs, successors, and assigns agrees to pay. No building or structure will be constructed in the detention area and no changes or alterations affecting the hydraulic characteristics of the detention area and storm sewer will be made without the approval of the Community Development Director.

CLERK AND RECORDER’S CERTIFICATE

Accepted for recording in the office of the County Clerk and Recorder of Jefferson County at Golden, Colorado this ___ day of ___________, 20__.

________________________________________

JEFFERSON COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER

___________________________

By: Deputy Clerk

Type 1 Subdivision Plat (With Right-of-Way Dedication)

Required signature blocks and notes

SURVEYOR’S CERTIFICATE

I, ___________________ do hereby certify that the survey of the boundary of  (subdivision name) was made by me or under my direct supervision and to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, in accordance with all applicable Colorado statutes, current revised edition as amended, the accompanying plat accurately represents said survey.       

                                                   ___________________

(Surveyor’s Seal)                                   Signature

OWNER’S CERTIFICATE

I/We, (choose one)_____________, being the owner(s) of real property containing ____ acres described as follows:

Description: (Insert surveyed property description of entire area being platted)

have laid out, subdivided and platted said land as per the drawing hereon contained into lots and tracts under the name and style of   (insert subdivision name), a subdivision of a part of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado and by these presents do dedicate to the City of Wheat Ridge and the public those portions of real property shown as right-of-way, and do further dedicate to the City of Wheat Ridge and those municipally owned and/or municipally franchised utilities and services those portions of real property shown as easements for the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement for all services. This includes but is not limited to telephone and electric lines, gas lines, water and sanitary sewer lines, hydrants, stormwater systems and pipes, detention ponds, street lights and all appurtenances thereto.

_____________________

Owner

State of Colorado           )

                                       ) SS

County of Jefferson       )

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____Day of ________, A.D. 20___ by__________________.

Witness my hand and official seal. My commission expires:

_________________

Notary Public

CITY CERTIFICATION

Approved this ____ day of ______, ______ by the City of Wheat Ridge. 

ATTEST

_____________                        _____________

City Clerk                                  Mayor

_______________________________

Community Development Director

CROSS ACCESS EASEMENT 

The owner, its successors and assigns grants limited rights and privileges to access and to free movement through those areas indicated as ‘cross-access easements’, as illustrated upon this plat. Such grant of easement shall be limited to the owners, tenants, customers, and guests of the owners, and shall furthermore grant access to and free movement through said easements to those entering said easements from similarly recorded easements from adjacent properties and/or from abutting public streets.

STORMWATER

For plats with a platted stormwater detention easement or tract, use the following example:

The stormwater detention/water quality area within areas here shown as _(e.g. Tract A and/or drainage easement)___ shall be constructed and maintained by the owner and subsequent owners, heirs, successors and assigns. In the event that such construction and maintenance is not performed by said owner, the City of Wheat Ridge shall have the right to enter such area and perform necessary work, the cost of which said owner, heirs, successors, and assigns agrees to pay. No building or structure will be constructed in the detention area and no changes or alterations affecting the hydraulic characteristics of the detention area and storm sewer will be made without the approval of the Community Development Director.

CLERK AND RECORDER’S CERTIFICATE

 Accepted for recording in the office of the  County Clerk and Recorder of Jefferson County at Golden, Colorado this ___ day of ___________, 20__.

________________________________________

JEFFERSON COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER

_______________________

By: Deputy Clerk

Type II Subdivision Plat

Required signature blocks and notes

SURVEYOR’S CERTIFICATE

I, ___________________ do hereby certify that the survey of the boundary of  (subdivision name) was made by me or under my direct supervision and to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, in accordance with all applicable Colorado statutes, current revised edition as amended, the accompanying plat accurately represents said survey.         

                                                _____________________________

(Surveyor’s Seal)                                   Signature

OWNER’S CERTIFICATE

I/We, (choose one)_____________, being the owner(s) of real property containing ____ acres described as follows:

Description: (Insert surveyed property description of entire area being platted)

have laid out, subdivided and platted said land as per the drawing hereon contained into lots and tracts under the name and style of   (insert subdivision name), a subdivision of a part of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado and by these presents do dedicate to the City of Wheat Ridge and the public those portions of real property shown as right-of-way, and do further dedicate to the City of Wheat Ridge and those municipally owned and/or municipally franchised utilities and services those portions of real property shown as easements for the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement for all services. This includes but is not limited to telephone and electric lines, gas lines, water and sanitary sewer lines, hydrants, stormwater systems and pipes, detention ponds, street lights and all appurtenances thereto.

_____________________

Owner

State of Colorado          )

                                       ) SS

County of Jefferson       )

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____Day of ________, A.D. 20___ by__________________.

Witness my hand and official seal. My commission expires:

_________________

Notary Public

PLANNING COMMISSION CERTIFICATION

Approved this _______ day of _______, _______, by the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission.

______________________________

Chairperson

CITY CERTIFICATION

Approved this ____ day of ______, ______ by the City of Wheat Ridge. 

ATTEST

_____________                        _____________

City Clerk                                  Mayor

CROSS ACCESS EASEMENT 

The owner, its successors and assigns grants limited rights and privileges to access and to free movement through those areas indicated as ‘cross-access easements’, as illustrated upon this plat. Such grant of easement shall be limited to the owners, tenants, customers, and guests of the owners, and shall furthermore grant access to and free movement through said easements to those entering said easements from similarly recorded easements from adjacent properties and/or from abutting public streets.

STORMWATER NOTE

For plats with a platted detention easement or tract, use the following example:

The stormwater detention/water quality area within areas here shown as _(e.g. Tract A and/or drainage easement)___ shall be constructed and maintained by the owner and subsequent owners, heirs, successors and assigns. In the event that such construction and maintenance is not performed by said owner, the City of Wheat Ridge shall have the right to enter such area and perform necessary work, the cost of which said owner, heirs, successors, and assigns agrees to pay. No building or structure will be constructed in the detention area and no changes or alterations affecting the hydraulic characteristics of the detention area and storm sewer will be made without the approval of the Community Development Director.

CLERK AND RECORDER’S CERTIFICATE

 Accepted for recording in the office of the  County Clerk and Recorder of Jefferson County at Golden, Colorado this ___ day of ___________, 20__.

________________________________________

JEFFERSON COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER

____________________

By: Deputy Clerk

Right-of-Way Vacation by Plat

Required signature blocks and notes

SURVEYOR’S CERTIFICATE

I, ___________________ do hereby certify that the survey of the boundary of  (subdivision name) was made by me or under my direct supervision and to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, in accordance with all applicable Colorado statutes, current revised edition as amended, the accompanying plat accurately represents said survey.         

                                                  ___________________

(Surveyor’s Seal)                                   Signature

OWNER’S CERTIFICATE

I/We, (choose one)_____________, being the owner(s) of real property containing ____ acres described as follows:

Description: (Insert surveyed property description of entire area being platted)

have laid out, subdivided and platted said land as per the drawing hereon contained into lots and tracts under the name and style of   (insert subdivision name), a subdivision of a part of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado and by these presents do dedicate to the City of Wheat Ridge and the public those portions of real property shown as right-of-way, and do further dedicate to the City of Wheat Ridge and those municipally owned and/or municipally franchised utilities and services those portions of real property shown as easements for the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement for all services. This includes but is not limited to telephone and electric lines, gas lines, water and sanitary sewer lines, hydrants, stormwater systems and pipes, detention ponds, street lights and all appurtenances thereto.

_____________________

Owner

State of Colorado          )

                                       ) SS

County of Jefferson       )

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____Day of ________, A.D. 20___ by__________________.

Witness my hand and official seal. My commission expires:

_________________

Notary Public

PLANNING COMMISSION CERTIFICATION

Recommended for Approval this _______ day of _______, _______, by the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission.

______________________________

Chairperson

CITY CERTIFICATION

Approved this ____ day of ______, ______ by the Wheat Ridge City Council. 

ATTEST

_____________                        _____________

City Clerk                                  Mayor

_______________________________

Community Development Director

CROSS ACCESS EASEMENT 

The owner, its successors and assigns grants limited rights and privileges to access and to free movement through those areas indicated as ‘cross-access  easements’, as illustrated upon this plat. Such grant of easement shall be limited to the owners, tenants, customers, and guests of the owners, and shall furthermore grant access to and free movement through said easements to those entering said easements from similarly recorded easements from adjacent properties and/or from abutting public streets.

STORMWATER NOTE

For plats with a platted stormwater detention easement or tract, use the following example:

The stormwater detention/water quality area within areas here shown as _(e.g. Tract A and/or drainage easement)___ shall be constructed and maintained by the owner and subsequent owners, heirs, successors and assigns. In the event that such construction and maintenance is not performed by said owner, the City of Wheat Ridge shall have the right to enter such area and perform necessary work, the cost of which said owner, heirs, successors, and assigns agrees to pay. No building or structure will be constructed in the detention area and no changes or alterations affecting the hydraulic characteristics of the detention area and storm sewer will be made without the approval of the Community Development Director.

CLERK AND RECORDER’S CERTIFICATE

Accepted for recording in the office of the County Clerk and Recorder of Jefferson County at Golden, Colorado this ___ day of ___________, 20__.

________________________________________

JEFFERSON COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER

___________________________

By: Deputy Clerk

Duplex Splits

The City allows the division of the property underlying a duplex and the structure itself as an exemption from the Subdivision Regulations, so long as the City's requirements for access to a public street and parking are met. The transfer of property can be accomplished by deed. The City does not review Duplex Split documents. All Duplex Split documents including deed(s), party wall agreements, and exhibits must be recorded at the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder's office (not JeffCo Planning & Zoning). Condominium plats (i.e creating condo units for sale within an existing apartment building) are also typically exempt from the City's review and follow the same recording process as Duplex Splits. 

The City recommends:

• An attorney specializing in real estate law should prepare a deed or deeds conveying the property. The deeds should contain a legal description, one for each side of the split lot.
• The deed must guarantee required parking and access to a public street to each owner by direct access, or through a recorded ingress/egress easement of at least ten (10) feet in width, or parking easements, as necessary. 
• A drawing prepared by a professional land surveyor should be included as an exhibit to the deed showing the portion(s) of the lot being split/conveyed.
• The deed must be in a format acceptable to the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder's office.

Other items to consider:

• Party wall agreement between both owners. Party wall agreements provide guidance for maintenance of shared elements of the duplex structure such as the common wall(s), roof, foundation, and shared utility service lines. 
• If building upgrades or renovations are necessary, building permits are required. 
• Contact the utility districts (water, sanitation, Xcel) regarding potential utility upgrades, separate meters, etc., if applicable.
• Contact your title company regarding issues related to title of the property before executing the deed.
• Contact the Jefferson County Assessor to see if there are property tax implications, and your homeowners' insurance carrier regarding changes.

Duplex split documents are not reviewed by the City and the City makes no guarantee as to the acceptability of any documents to a title company, attorney, or Jefferson County. It is strongly recommended you seek the services of a qualified land attorney to prepare and record the proper documents.