Consequences Subdividing Your Failure to comply with laws and regulations governing subdivision can impact the ability Property in of the owner or future owner to use the property. Bastrop County

As a buyer, some of the things you should What is Property consider before purchasing property are Subdivision? listed below: • The property is a “legal lot” or divided in The division of any lot, accordance with the governing laws and This brochure provides regulations. tract, or parcel of land • How the property is accessed and who is important information to responsible for road maintenance. help you with the process. into two or more lots or • The property has water service that sites for the purpose of provides potable water. • The property has sewer service or a If you are subdividing land transferring ownership septic system. or development, • The property has electric service. in Bastrop County outside • The property is not in a flood-prone area. incorporated city limits, whether immediate or • No person other than the subdivider: • owns the property; please contact Bastrop future, including the • has a claim of ownership to the County Development re-subdivision of land property; or • has an interest in the property. Services for guidance and for which a plat has • No liens are filed against the property. assistance. been filed and recorded. • No back taxes are owed on the property. Subdivision is regulated Bastrop County Development Services by Texas state law and 211 Jackson Street local regulations. Bastrop, TX 78620 512-581-7176 Exceptions For More Information

Some exceptions... Because land subdivision has become increasingly complicated and subject to local The Local Government Code provides certain regulations, it is recommended that you consult exceptions to the plat requirement. the local government for guidance. The County may not require the owner of a Within the limits of an incorporated city, the tract of land located outside the limits of a City municipality is responsible for the regulation of or ETJ who divides the tract into two or more subdivision. parts to have a plat prepared if the owner does not lay out streets, alleys, squares, parks or City of Bastrop Planning & Development Requirements other parts, and: (512) 332-8840 www.cityofbastrop.org • all lots are more than 10 acres in area. City of Elgin Planning & Development • all lots are sold to veterans through the (512) 281-0119 Plat Required Veterans’ Land Board program. www.elgintx.com • all parts are transferred to persons who According to Chapter 232 of the Texas Local City of Smithville owned an undivided interest in the original Government Code, the owner of a tract of land (512) 237-3282 tract and a plat is filed before any further located outside the limits of a Municipality www.ci.smithville.tx.us development. (City) or Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Authority for regulation of plats in an ETJ is must have a plat of the subdivision prepared if • the owner divides the tract into four or prescribed by local agreement. the owner divides the tract into two or more fewer parts to sell, give or otherwise parts to lay out: transfer to an individual who is related to Additional information can be found in the owner "by blood" (within the third Chapters 212 (for municipalities) and 232 (for • a subdivision of the tract, including an degree) or by marriage. counties) of the Texas Local Government addition; If any lot is sold, given or transferred to an individual not Code. Bastrop County’s Subdivision • lots; or related, the plat requirements apply. Regulations are available on the website. • streets, alleys, squares, parks or other • the land is to be used primarily for parts of the tract intended to be dedicated agriculture use or for farm, ranch, wildlife to public use or for the use of purchasers management or timber production as or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to defined in the Texas Constitution. the streets, alleys squares. parks or other Contact Us A plat is not required if the owner of a tract of parts. land located outside the limits of a City or ETJ Bastrop County Development A plat is basically a map of a specific land divides the tract into two parts, does not lay out Services area showing the location of individual parcels streets, alleys, squares, parks or other parts, 211 Jackson Street of land subdivided into lots with streets, alleys and: Bastrop, TX 78602 and easements. It is drawn to scale by an • one part is retained by the owner and the (512) 581-7176 engineer or surveyor. Finally, after an approval other new part is transferred to another process by the local government, it is filed with person who will further subdivide the tract Visit us on the web: the County Clerk and becomes public record. through the platting process. www.co.bastrop.tx.us