Subdivision Plans

Specific Drafting Requirements

Note: Plans re-describe property. They do not transfer ownership. A deed is required to transfer ownership for areas intended to be transferred.

  • Plans must be drawn on paper - transparencies (mylars) of plans are not accepted.
  • Must be original drawings made on good quality white paper.
    • If requested, we will also sign and seal one (1) mylar copy of the plan for the applicant's use.
  • The paper copy must have both the ink seal of the PA-licensed land surveyor who prepared the plan.
    • In the case of a site plan not prepared by a surveyor, the same shall apply in regard to seal of the registered professional engineer, landscape architect or architect who prepared the plan.
  • Size of Plans
    • Minimum: 17" x 22" (reproducible area dimensions).
    • Maximum acceptable: 22" x 36" (reproducible area dimensions).
  • Signatures, dates and seals must be made with permanent navy blue ink or black felt-tipped pen.
  • Declarations, certifications, notations, areas, lot line descriptions and other information
    • Must be in permanent black ink, and typed or plotted on the plan.
    • Minimum acceptable font size: 1/8" (or 10 points).
  • All required certifications, declarations, and other clauses, signed, witnessed, dated and sealed as required.
  • Minimum acceptable drawing scale for the plat of the actual subdivision: 1" = 100".
  • Boundary lines in the subdivision must be completely described per Allegheny County requirements
    • All such descriptions must be completely legible.
    • Missing, illegible or incorrect information shall be cause for rejection of the plan.
  • Screening, opaque backgrounds, cross-hatching and the like should not be used as they may cause the plan to be rejected if a clear, legible image of the subdivision cannot be obtained .
  • Provide a total plan area, and areas for all of the lots, parcels and other units of land in the subdivision
    • Give both acres and square feet for all areas.
  • Title block Preparation Instructions
  • You must include a site location map drawn to scale
    • Color reproductions of United States Geological Survey (USGS) Quad maps may not be used, as they are not legible on the plan book record.

Recording Requirements

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