Subdivisions Application

All subdivisions of land within Essex County shall be submitted to the County Planning Board for review and approval.

What is a Subdivision?

A subdivision is the division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two (2) or more lots, sites, or other divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or building development.

The following divisions shall not be considered subdivisions:

Divisions of land for agricultural purposes where the resulting parcels are three (3) acres or larger in size
Divisions of land by testamentary or inter-State provisions.
Division of land upon court order.

Request for approval of lot line adjustments and consolidation/merger of lots are submitted via the Subdivision Application.

Download Subdivision Application PDF

Site Plan Application

Prior to the issuance of any building permit by a local building official for any proposed land development including commercial, industrial, multi-family structures containing five or more units, or any land development requiring an off-street parking area or an off-street standing area for an excess of five vehicles, or producing surface runoff directly or indirectly to a county road, on any property having frontage on a county road, a site plan shall be submitted to the county planning board for its review and action.

Site plans are not required for the following uses but developers of such uses are urged to consult with the County Planning Board concerning these proposed developments: Residential structures containing less than five units
Other land developments providing five or less vehicle parking spaces.

Download Site Plan Application PDF