Minor Subdivision
Application Checklist:
A minor subdivision allows for the subdivision of a maximum of four lots. A minor subdivision is an approval process for simple land divisions; it does not provide for the subdivision of unplatted land, unless that land is described by a governmental subdivision legal description. See UDC Section 50-33 and Section 50‐37.5 for more information.
Your Application
- Visit www.duluthmn.gov/eplace to submit your application by the Planning Commission application deadline.
- Click on “Apply” and search for your application type. (You will need to sign in to the system, or create a new account if you do not already have one.)
- Follow the prompts to fill in information. Required information is indicated with an asterisk.
- On the attachments page, upload the following:
- A vicinity map (8.5” x 11”) indicating the existing site and names of adjacent streets.
- A legal description and survey, prepared by a licensed land surveyor, showing the existing conditions.
- A legal description and survey, prepared by a licensed land surveyor, showing the proposed conditions.
- After your application is complete, click “Add to Cart” for the fee listed, and pay the fee. Applications without a fee will not be accepted or reviewed.
After Submitting Your Application
1. Determination of Completeness. Within 15 business days of your application, you should expect to:
- Receive an “Applicant Letter,” which acknowledges a complete application, shares the date of the Planning Commission meeting and the assigned staff person, and notifies you of State‐mandated deadlines for the City to make a decision, OR
- Receive notification that your application is incomplete, with details on further information to submit.
2. Staff Review.
Planning staff will evaluate your application and prepare a staff report. When considering a recommendation for a minor subdivision, Planning Staff review ensures there is adequate frontage on a public street, the lots meet minimum zoning requirements, and the minor subdivision does not create any nonconformities or increase existing nonconformities.
- You will receive an email with the Planning Commission agenda and a link to the staff report about 5 days prior to the meeting.
3. Planning Commission Decision.
Planning Commission meetings are scheduled at 5:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. We ask that applicants or an agent attend this meeting. Planning Commission will review the application and make a decision to adopt, adopt with modifications, or deny the application.
You will receive an Action Letter documenting the decision.
4. Recording (if approved).
The applicant will record the deeds reflecting this decision in the office of the county recorder within 180 days. Submit a receipt or other documentation that it has been recorded to the City’s Planning and Development Division (Room 160).
After the deeds have been recorded, lots may be sold and building permits may be issued. Building permits cannot be issued until the City has received documentation of the recording.
Note that other City codes may apply to your project. Please be aware of any applicable Building Code (Construction Services Division), Fire Code (Life Safety Division), and stormwater/engineering (Engineering Division) regulations. The zoning approval may be only the first step in a several step process.
If a wetland delineation is needed for the project to proceed, it must be reviewed and approved before any zoning application will be accepted. If a wetland replacement plan is required for a project to proceed, it must have been submitted and accepted as a complete application before the project zoning application will be accepted.
