A long subdivision is a land division of a legal lot of record into 5 or more lots consistent with zoning.

Application

The long subdivision process involves a submittal of a Long Subdivision Pre-application Meeting Application (PDF) for a preapplication meeting with representatives of Planning and Development Services (PDS), the Health Department, Public Works, and the Fire Marshal’s Office.

After the preapplication meeting the applicant can then submit a Long Subdivision Preliminary Application (PDF) to PDS including all application materials, maps prepared by a surveyor and appropriate fees.

Review

A Notice of Application for the proposal will be run in the newspaper and sent to properties within either 300 or 1,000 feet of the property.

Staff will then review the application with the Technical Review Committee, complete the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, and either issue a request for more information or make a recommendation of preliminary approval or denial of the application to the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner.

Public Hearing

A public hearing will be held with the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner and he will either approve or deny the preliminary approval.

After preliminary approval the applicant can then make improvements consistent with the preliminary approval conditions and submit the Long Subdivision Final Application (PDF) for review and approval. The final drawing (mylar) is then recorded with the Auditor and the applicant can sell the lots created through the subdivision process.