Plats
A subdivision is defined by ARS §32-2101 as improved or un-improved land or lands divided or proposed to be divided for the purpose of sale or lease, whether immediate or future, into 6 or more lots, parcels or fractional interests. Any subdivision within the unincorporated area of Maricopa County must be approved by the Board of Supervisors prior to being recorded. Approval of subdivisions occurs in 2 stages: Preliminary Plat and Final Plat.
A Preliminary Plat is required when a plot of land is being divided into SIX OR MORE parcels for development. Along with the completed application packet, this process includes meetings with County staff as well as approval by the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission. The Preliminary Plat is a “tentative map” of a proposed land division into lots, tracts, and parcels for sale or lease.
A Final Plat, which includes related infrastructure plans, is the approval process by the Board of Supervisors for the plot of land that is being subdivided for development, as identified during the Preliminary Plat process. Final Plat subdivision submittals should follow the Preliminary Plat approval within a 2 year period, unless an extension for the Preliminary Plat has been obtained, and must be in substantial conformance with the approved Preliminary Plat. The approved Final Plat will be recorded dividing the land into lots, tracts, and parcels for sale or lease.