Minor Land Division

Purpose

A minor land division is the planning process to divide land into five (5) or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions, any of which is ten (10) acres or smaller in size. The minor land division permit ensures the division of land complies with zoning regulations and does not constitute a subdivision of six or more lots as defined by Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.).

Application Process

Required Submittals

• Minor Land Division Application
• Property survey showing:
  • Dimensions of all proposed lot
  • The current zoning of the parcels proposed to be divided.
  • Roads or private driveway easements
• A statement from a registered land surveyor or other evidence acceptable to the county stating whether each lot, parcel or fractional interest has physical access that is traversable by a two-wheel drive passenger motor vehicle.

Review Criteria

An application to split a parcel of land shall be approved if: 

• Each newly-created parcel must meet the minimum zoning requirements of the applicable zoning designation.
• The applicant demonstrates legal access to each proposed lot
• The applicant provides a statement from a licensed surveyor or engineer or other evidence acceptable to the county, stating whether each lot, parcel, or fractional interest has legal, physical access that is traversable by a two-wheel drive passenger motor vehicle, and
• The applicant reserves the necessary and appropriate utility easements to serve each lot, parcel, or fractional interest created by the land division.

Recordation

Recordation with Approval

Recordation with Approval - After approval of a Minor Land Division Permit, it shall be recorded at the County Recorder’s Office along with any attached supplementary information. Recordation must occur within six (6) months of the approval by the Development Services Department.

Recordation without Approval

Recordation of a division of land may not be denied for non-compliance with the requirement for legal access or compliance with applicable zoning regulations. However, all such deficiencies are required to be noticed in the full, detailed description of all deeds. Should an applicant choose to record a Minor Land Division survey without a permit approved by Development Services, any deficiencies are required to be noticed in the full, detailed description of all deeds.

Acting in Concert

It shall be unlawful for a person or group of persons acting in concert to divide a parcel of land into six (6) or more lots or sell or lease six (6) or more lots by using a series of owners or conveyances in an attempt to avoid the provisions of this ordinance. This provision may be enforced by the County Attorney’s Office or the Arizona Department of Real Estate, or both, pursuant to the laws of the State of Arizona.

If you need more information, please take a moment to review this brochure. You can also email us, call us, or just stop by.

Minor Land Division Application (Fillable PDF)
Minor Land Division Brochure (PDF)
Article from the Arizona Cooperative Extension: Lot-Splits Versus Subdivisions in Rural Arizona (PDF)