Engineering: Land Division Development

All New permit and New plan applications need to be applied for online through the County’s Citizen Self Services Portal (CSS Portal). The online portal will streamline these processes through digital plan review, online plan applications, online payments and online inspection requests with real-time status of your transactions available in the portal. Paper form applications will no longer be accepted.

Citizen Self-Service

General Platting Information

The Collin County Subdivision Regulations establish requirements for dividing and developing property within the County's jurisdiction. In general, a Plat is required when dividing property into two or more parts, unless an applicable exemption applies. These requirements may also apply to Recreational Vehicle Parks, Single-Family Rental Developments, and Replats.

All proposed subdivisions must comply with applicable Collin County regulations and standards, including requirements for lot access, roadway frontage, on-site sewage facilities (OSSF), drainage, and floodplain management. Additional studies, permits, or approvals may be required depending on the nature and location of the development.

Properties located within a municipality's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) may be subject to County or municipal platting authority, depending on applicable interlocal agreements. Applicants should verify the appropriate reviewing authority before submitting a Plat.

Replats are generally subject to the same requirements as original Plats, although additional public notice or hearing requirements may apply.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Collin County Subdivision Regulations and other applicable technical manuals listed under Documents below before preparing a Plat Package.

The following sections outline the submission process and the documents required for administrative completeness.

Plat Package Submission and Review Process

1. Optional Pre-Submittal Meeting

• Applicants are encouraged to meet with Collin County Engineering staff before submitting a Plat Package to identify potential issues.
• A pre-submittal meeting does not constitute formal submission of a Plat Package.

2. Submit Plat Package and Application Fee

• Submit the complete Plat Package online through the County's CSS Portal.
• Pay the applicable application fee once invoiced.

3. Administrative Completeness Review

• Plat Package is reviewed for administrative completeness.
• If incomplete, the Applicant will receive written notification identifying missing information within 10 Business Days.
• Applicants have 60 days to provide the missing information before the Plat Package may be administratively denied.
• Following an administrative denial, missing information may be resubmitted within six months without an additional application fee. After six months, a new application fee is required.

4. Commissioners Court Consideration

• The 30-day review period begins once the Plat Package is determined to be administratively complete.
• Commissioners Court will generally consider the Plat within that period for approval, conditional approval, or disapproval.
• If conditionally approved, all conditions must be satisfied before County staff can change the Plat's status from conditional approval to final approval.
• Administrative completeness does not constitute Plat approval.

Requirements for an Administratively Complete Plat Package

Each Final Plat Package must be submitted electronically through the County’s Citizen Self Service Portal.  The following items are required for an administratively complete Final Plat Package, when applicable:

1. County Online Application

A completed County online Plat application.

2. Owner Authorization Form

If the Applicant is not the Owner, include a completed Owner Authorization Form in accordance with Appendix A of the Collin County Subdivision Regulations. Form can be found in the Documents and Resources below.

3. Application Fee

The applicable application fee must be paid, once invoiced, for the Plat Package to be considered complete.

4. Proof of Ownership

A deed showing ownership of the property or properties being platted.

5. Current Tax Certificate

An original tax certificate showing that all currently due taxes for the property being subdivided or re-subdivided have been paid.  The tax certificate must be less than 30 days old when submitted.

6. Plat

The Plat must contain all information, certifications, notes, easements, and other information required by the Collin County Subdivision Regulations.

6. Utility Provider Will-Serve Letters

Provide signed and dated will-serve letters from the applicable water, wastewater, and electric utility providers confirming that each provider:

• Has reviewed the Plat, utility plans, and easements.
• Can adequately serve the development in accordance with applicable State requirements.
• Will inspect the proposed utilities during construction.
• Identifies applicable bonding requirements.

Additional requirements, when applicable:

• Water: Include the provider's Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) number and available water flow. If fire flow is insufficient, obtain the required Collin County Fire Marshal approval.
• Wastewater: If no existing provider will construct and maintain the system, provide evidence of the required utility district or investor-owned utility and CCN.
• Groundwater: If groundwater will serve the development, provide a Groundwater Availability Certification in place of a water-provider will-serve letter. The certification must be signed and sealed by a Texas-licensed Professional Engineer or Geoscientist, verify adequate groundwater availability, address applicable permitting requirements, and include proof of submission to the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District.

8. OSSF Approval, When Applicable

If individual On-Site Sewage Facilities are proposed, include approval of the OSSF Suitability Plat Review from the Collin County Development Services Department.

Additional Items That May Be Submitted Concurrently with the Plat Package

The following documents may be submitted with the Plat Package to help expedite the development review process. While some may be required for development, they are generally not required for administrative completeness or Plat approval and will be reviewed separately, as applicable.

• Development Phasing and Connectivity Exhibit: Identifies existing and future development phases, roadway connections, surrounding subdivisions, and proposed access.
• Traffic Impact Analysis: May be required under Collin County Roadway Standards. Any required analysis must be submitted as a separate plan through the County’s CSS Portal and approved before construction begins.
• Flood Studies and Floodplain Analyses: May be required for developments within or adjacent to floodplains. Studies must be submitted as a separate plan through the County’s CSS Portal and will be reviewed under the Collin County Floodplain Management Regulations. Required studies must be approved before construction can begin.
• Drainage Plans and Hydraulic Analyses: May include drainage studies, hydraulic calculations, and related construction documents. Required plans and analyses must be approved before construction begins.
• Street Sign Plan: Applicants are encouraged to submit the proposed street names, sign locations, and sign details with the Plat Package for concurrent Commissioners Court consideration.
• Subdivision Covenants: If applicable, proposed subdivision covenants may accompany the Plat Package but must meet County requirements before recordation, when required.

 After Plat Approval and Recordation

Plat approval does not necessarily complete the subdivision development process. Depending on the proposed improvements, additional requirements may apply before construction or Plat recordation.

• Engineering Review: Submit and obtain approval of required civil construction plans and supporting engineering studies.
• Permits and Construction: Obtain applicable permits and complete required roadway, drainage, utility, and other infrastructure improvements.
• Inspections and Bonding: Complete required County inspections, infrastructure acceptance, and applicable bonding requirements.
• Plat Recordation: The Applicant is responsible for satisfying applicable County and County Clerk requirements, paying outstanding fees, providing required final documentation, and filing the approved Plat with the Collin County Clerk.

If no roadway, drainage, or other infrastructure improvements are proposed, the approved Plat may proceed to recordation once all applicable requirements are satisfied.

Documents and Resources