(a) 
No subdivision of land shall be accomplished without proper submittal, approval and adoption of a final plat prepared by a registered public surveyor or professional engineer, and approval of construction plans and specifications for improvements prepared by a professional engineer in accordance with this chapter.
(b) 
All final plats must first be preceded by properly prepared and approved preliminary plats except as provided in division 5 of this article.
(c) 
Copies of all proposed final plats will be sent to the utility companies to determine if additional utility easements are necessary to serve the subdivision.
(d) 
Right-of-way for streets shall be dedicated on all plats in accordance with the thoroughfare plan.
(e) 
Utility easements shall be dedicated on the final plat necessary for the orderly development of the property.
(f) 
The subdivider shall make a formal application for approval of final plans at least 45 days prior to the date of the planning and zoning commission meeting at which the subdivider desires the final plat to be considered.
(g) 
No application shall be [accepted] or processed unless the city planner has made a determination that the application is complete in accordance with section 74-59.
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 5(A), 6-10-1997; Ord. No. 1063-06, § 10, 8-22-2006]
(a) 
The full size mylar of the final plat shall be executed and submitted to the city planner along with ten full size blue line prints, one 11 by 17 inch reduction, one inch equals 200 feet scale copy of the plat, and three copies of the construction plans and specifications and other required data at least 20 calendar days prior to the meeting of the planning and zoning commission at which such plat is to be considered. No final plat shall be accepted or considered by the city until the prescribed drawings have been submitted, the prescribed filing fees have been paid and a completed application form has been submitted.
(b) 
The final plat may constitute only that portion of the approved preliminary plat which the subdivider or developer proposes to record and develop. However, such portion shall conform to all the requirements of this chapter.
(c) 
If final plats are submitted for approval on portions or phases of the proposed subdivision, each portion or phase shall carry the name of the entire subdivision but shall bear a distinguishing letter, number or subtitle. Block letters shall run consecutively throughout the entire subdivision, even though such subdivision might be finally approved in sections.
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 5(B), 6-10-1997]
(a) 
When the final plat is filed with the city planner for consideration, it shall be accompanied by an executed application form and a filing fee as specified by city regulations. The deposit of such plat, application and fees shall constitute formal request for plat approval.
(b) 
The final plat shall be accompanied by certificates from the city, school district and county tax collectors showing that all city, school district and county taxes on the land being platted have been paid to the current year.
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 5(C), 6-10-1997]
(a) 
A fee of four percent of the actual costs of street, drainage, water and sewer improvements as approved by the city engineer shall be paid to the city by the subdivider prior to the beginning of construction on such infrastructure. Tests of material or construction may be ordered by the city. All such tests shall be paid for by the subdivider or developer. Should that test indicate that the material or construction does not satisfy the minimum requirements of the city, the costs of all additional tests on the material or construction or replaced or corrected material or construction shall be paid for by the subdivider or developer. Tests shall be taken until the item tested passes the test. All tests shall be performed by an independent engineer or laboratory approved by the city.
(b) 
No subdivision will be approved or building permit issued by the city until all fees and costs of tests have been paid to the city.
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 5(D), 6-10-1997]
(a) 
The final plat shall substantially conform to the preliminary plat as conditionally approved by the city council.
(b) 
The final plat shall be drawn in India or other permanent ink on quality reproducible sheets not larger than 36 inches wide and 22 or 24 inches high and a margin not less than 1½ inches on the left side of the sheet, and one-half inch on other sides. The plat shall be drawn at a scale of not more than 100 feet to one inch. Where more than one sheet is necessary to accommodate the entire area, an index sheet showing the entire subdivision at appropriate scale shall be attached to the plat.
(c) 
In addition to the various requirements for the preliminary plat, the final plat shall also include the following:
(1) 
The exact location, dimensions, name and description of all existing or recorded streets, alleys, reservations, easements, or other public rights-of-way within the subdivision, intersecting or contiguous with its boundary or forming such boundary, with accurate dimensions, bearings or deflection angles and radii and central angle, degree of curvature, tangent distance and length of all curves where appropriate.
(2) 
The exact location, dimensions, description and name of all proposed streets, alleys, drainage, rights-of-way, parks, other public areas, reservations, easement or other rights-of-way, blocks, lots and other sites within the subdivision with accurate dimensions, bearing or deflecting angles and radii and central angles, degree of curvature, tangent distance and length of all curves where appropriate.
(3) 
Owner's acknowledgment and dedications. (See Sample A following this section.)
(4) 
Engineer's or surveyor's certificate (See Sample B following this section.)
(5) 
A certificate of approval for execution by the planning and zoning commission. (See Sample C following this section.)
(6) 
A certificate for the city council's endorsement. (See Sample D following this section.)
(7) 
Deed restrictions for the subdivision, which may be shown on the plat or on 8½ by 11 inch paper attached as a supplement to the plat.
SAMPLE A
OWNER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DEDICATIONS
STATE OF TEXAS
)
 
)
OWNER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DEDICATION
COUNTY OF TARRANT
)
I (we), the undersigned, owner(s) of the land, as recorded in Vol. _____, Page _____, DEED RECORDS TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, shown on this plat within the area described by metes and bounds as follows:
(Metes and Bounds Description of Boundary)
and designated herein as the subdivision to the city, and whose name is subscribed hereto, hereby dedicates to the use of the public forever all streets, alleys, parks, water courses, drains, easements, rights-of-way and public places thereon shown for the purpose and consideration therein expressed.
 
Owner
 
Date
STATE OF TEXAS
)
)
COUNTY OF TARRANT
)
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared _____, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and considerations therein stated.
Given under my hand and seal of office this _____ day of _____, 20 _____
 
____________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
County, Texas
SAMPLE B
CERTIFICATE OF SURVEYOR OR ENGINEER WHO PREPARED PLAT
STATE OF TEXAS
)
 
 
)
CERTIFICATE OF SURVEYOR OR ENGINEER
COUNTY OF TARRANT
)
I, the undersigned, a (registered professional engineer/public surveyor) in the State of Texas, hereby certify that this plat is true and correct and was prepared from an actual survey of the property made under my supervision on the ground.
Engineer or Surveyor's SEAL
Registered Professional Engineer or
Registered Public Surveyor
 
Date
SAMPLE C
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
This plat has been submitted to and considered by the PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION of the City of Richland Hills, Texas, and is hereby approved by such Commission.
Date this _____ day of _____, 20 _____.
 
By:
Chairman
ATTEST:
Secretary
SAMPLE D
STATEMENT OF ADOPTION BY COUNCIL
THE CITY COUNCIL OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, ON _____ 20 _____, VOTED AFFIRMATIVELY TO ADOPT THIS PLAT AND APPROVE IT FOR FILING OF RECORD.
BY:
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 5(E), 6-10-1997]
(a) 
All improvements shall be designed in accordance with the specific design provisions detailed in this chapter and related standard details and specifications and any other requirements adopted by the city council.
(b) 
Two copies of complete plans, specifications, engineering calculations, and detailed cost estimates for streets, drainage, sanitary sewers, water distribution, and any other improvements to be performed shall be submitted with the final filing plat. All engineering issues shall be resolved before the final plat is approved by the city council.
(c) 
These plans shall be submitted on standard 22 or 24 inch by 36 inch sheets, shall be the same size as the final plat and shall include the major information required in this section.
(1) 
Paving plans.
A plan and profile of each street with top of curb grades, with existing and proposed ground line shown. Each sheet shall include north point, scale, date, and bench mark description to sea level datum. Scales shall be one inch equal 40 or 50 feet horizontally and one inch equal four, five, or ten feet vertically. The typical cross section of proposed streets showing the width of roadways and type of pavement and location and width of sidewalks shall be shown. Each plan shall show the seal and signature of the registered professional civil engineer who prepared the plans.
(2) 
Sanitary sewer and water plans.
A plan and profile of proposed sanitary sewers, with grades and pipe sizes indicated and showing locations of manholes, etc., and a plan of the proposed water distribution system showing pipe sizes and location of valves, fire hydrants, and fittings, etc., in conformance with the criteria as shown in article III of this chapter and the design provisions and standard details and any other requirements adopted by the city council. Each plan shall show the seal and signature of the registered professional civil engineer who prepared the plans. Each sheet shall include north point, scale, date, and bench mark description to sea level datum.
(3) 
Storm drainage plans.
a. 
A plan and profile of proposed storm sewers or channels, showing hydraulic data, pipe grades and sizes, manholes, inlets, pipe connections, outlet structures, etc., in conformance with the criteria as shown in article III of this chapter and the design provisions and standard details adopted by the city council. Each plan shall show the seal and signature of the registered professional civil engineer who prepared the plans. Each sheet shall include north point, scale, date, and bench mark description to sea level datum.
b. 
A general location map of the subdivision showing the entire watershed (a U.S.G.S. quadrangle is satisfactory).
c. 
Calculations showing the anticipated stormwater flow, including watershed area, percent runoff, and time of concentrations shall be submitted showing basis for design for a Q25 and Q100 storm.
d. 
Detailed plans shall be submitted for any bridges, culverts, catch basins, any other drainage structures, or any other improvements to be made.
e. 
Any existing adverse drainage situations shall not be made any worse than existing.
(4) 
Other utilities.
The subdivider must furnish a written statement to the city designating that the subdivision will be served with gas or will be totally electric service. If a gas distribution system is to be installed, then all distribution mains and service lines shall be installed before street construction is complete.
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 5(F), 6-10-1997]
(a) 
Once the city planner has determined that the application for final plat approval is complete, and the final plat with construction plans, the required filing fees, executed application form and tax certificates have been submitted, the city planner shall check the plat as to its conformity with the city's comprehensive land use plan, thoroughfare plan, zoning districts, lot size requirements, subdivision and street names and other applicable city standards.
(b) 
The city planner shall forward a copy of the application to the city engineer who shall check the final plat for conformity with applicable engineering standards and specifications set forth in this chapter as well as with generally accepted engineering principles when not covered specifically herein. The city engineer shall return the plat to the city planner with his suggestions as to modifications, additions, alterations or other matters pertinent to the plat.
(c) 
Within 30 days of the filing date, the planning and zoning commission shall act on the plat. The planning and zoning commission shall make a recommendation for approval or disapproval of the final plat. Failure to act within 30 days of the filing date shall be deemed approval of the final plat.
(d) 
The recommendations of the planning and zoning commission shall be considered for final action at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council. The city council shall either approve or disapprove any such final plat within 30 days of approval or disapproval by the planning and zoning commission.
(e) 
If the final plat is disapproved, the city council shall, upon request of the subdivider, state in writing its reasons for disapproval of the final plat. Disapproval action taken by the city council shall be final, regardless of any previous approval action by the planning and zoning commission.
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 5(G), 6-10-1997; Ord. No. 1063-06, § 11, 8-22-2006]
(a) 
Inspection generally.
All construction, such as street grading, street paving, drainage structures, curb and gutter, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and water mains, shall be subject to inspection during the construction period by the proper authorities of the city, and shall be constructed in accordance with the approved engineering plans, subdivision ordinance requirements and the city standard specifications governing such work. Upon completion of construction, the developer or subdivider shall request the city engineer to make a final inspection of the work and to file a report of the results of such inspection.
(b) 
Construction bonds.
All contractors employed by the subdivider shall furnish the city a good and sufficient performance bond, in an amount equal to 100 percent of the costs of the improvements required, and a good and sufficient two year maintenance bond, in an amount equal to 50 percent of the costs of the improvements required; both bonds shall be executed by a reputable and solvent corporate surety, holding a license to do business in the state, or other security approved by the city attorney, in favor of the city to indemnify the city against any claims, cost or expenses for project completion or repairs which may become necessary to any part of the construction work performed in connection with the subdivision, arising from defective workmanship or materials used therein, for a period of two full years from the date of final acceptance of the entire project. Final acceptance will be withheld until such maintenance bond is furnished to the city. Such bond or other security shall be approved as to form and legality by the city attorney.
(c) 
Acceptance by city.
Acceptance of improvements by the city shall be in the form of a letter from the city manager or other authorized city official to the subdivider stating that inspections were conducted as the facilities were completed in accordance with specifications and standards provided for in this chapter or approved by the city council at the time the final plat was approved for such subdivision. After the work has been accepted by the city, as-built construction drawings of such work shall be submitted to the city. One full size set of mylars and one full size set of prints shall be submitted to the city engineer.
(d) 
Issuance of building permits.
No building permit, water, sewer, plumbing or electrical permit or service shall be issued or allowed to a subdivider, owner or any other person with respect to any property in any subdivision covered by this chapter until such time as all of the applicable requirements of this chapter have been satisfactorily completed and the construction accepted by the city.
[Ord. No. 819-97, § 6, 6-10-1997]