The requirements and standards of design for the subdivision of land set out in this chapter shall apply to subdivisions within the scope of this title.
(Code 1964 § 26-10; Code 1985 § 27-34)
Land subject to flooding and land deemed to be topographically unsuitable shall not be platted for occupancy nor for such other uses as may increase danger to health, life or property or aggravate erosion or flood hazard.
(Code 1964 § 26-35; Code 1985 § 27-35; Ord. 2010-08)
There shall be no private streets platted in any subdivision. Every subdivided property shall be served from a publicly dedicated street.
Charter reference – Dedication of streets in subdivisions, § 1.
Cross reference – Streets generally, Title 12.
(Code 1964 § 26-34; Code 1985 § 27-36)
Proposed streets that are in alignment with existing streets already named shall bear their names. No new street shall duplicate names of existing streets.
(Code 1964 § 26-16; Code 1985 § 27-38)
Street cross-sections shall be as determined by a traffic impact analysis as required in the city engineering department's design and construction standards. In no case shall the street cross-section be less than that established by the Virginia Department of Transportation to be eligible for urban street maintenance reimbursement funds.
(Code 1964 § 26-12; Code 1985 § 27-39; Ord. 2010-08)
No street shall exceed 12 percent in a residential zone, or eight percent in all other zoning classifications.
(Code 1964 § 26-13; Code 1985 § 27-40; Ord. 2010-08)
Where a deflection angle of more than 10 degrees in the alignment of a street occurs, a curve of reasonably long radius shall be introduced. On streets 60 feet or more in width, the center line radius of curvature shall not be less than 300 feet, and on other streets, not less than 100 feet.
(Code 1964 § 26-14; Code 1985 § 27-41)
Dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs shall be designed so that turnarounds for reversing traffic movements at the closed ends shall have a minimum radius of at least 50 feet. They shall not be over 400 feet in length.
(Code 1964 § 26-18; Code 1985 § 27-43)
Alleys shall be provided in the rear of lots to be used for business purposes, and in residential lots where the subdivider shows evidence to the commission or council of the need for alleys.
(Code 1964 § 26-17; Code 1985 § 27-44)
All lot corners shall be marked by iron pins, not less than one-half inch in diameter and 24 inches long, driven flush with the ground. A minimum of four of these markers shall be city standard survey markers tied to the city's vertical and horizontal control. A monument data sheet shall be provided to the city engineer.
(Code 1964 § 26-19; Code 1985 § 27-45; Ord. 2010-08)
Blocks shall not exceed 800 feet in length and they shall not be less than 400 feet in length, unless prevented by topographic conditions.
(Code 1964 § 26-20; Code 1985 § 27-46)
Blocks shall be wide enough for two tiers of lots of minimum depth, except where fronting on major streets, unless prevented by topographical conditions or size of the property, in which case the commission may approve a single tier of lots of minimum depth.
(Code 1964 § 26-21; Code 1985 § 27-47)
Each lot shall abut on a street dedicated by the subdivision plat, or on an existing publicly dedicated street, except as provided under SCC § 18.105.020, planned residential development. If the existing street width is less than required, the commission may require the subdivider to dedicate the extra width necessary to widen the street.
Cross reference – Zoning, Title 18.
(Code 1964 § 26-24; Code 1985 § 27-50; Ord. 2010-08)
The lot arrangement, design, and shape shall be such that lots will provide satisfactory and desirable sites for building. Lots shall not contain peculiarly shaped elongations which are designed solely to provide necessary square footage of area or frontage on a public road and which would be unusable for normal purposes.
The size and shape of residential lots shall be in accordance with the regulations established in the zoning code for the district in which the subdivision lies, except that, if a connection to either the public sewer or water systems, but not both, is provided, the lot size shall be increased to contain at least 10,000 square feet in those zones allowing for smaller sizes, and if a connection to neither the public sewer or water system is provided, the lot size shall be increased to contain at least 20,000 square feet, and the installation of a water system and a sewage disposal method shall be approved by the health department.
Cross reference – Zoning, Title 18.
(Code 1964 § 26-25; Code 1985 § 27-51; Ord. 1-11-96; Ord. 2010-08)
Corner lots shall be increased in size whenever necessary so as to provide that any structure to be placed thereon shall conform to the building setback lines on both streets.
(Code 1964 § 26-26; Code 1985 § 27-52)
All remnants of lots below minimum size left over after subdividing a tract must be added to adjacent lots or otherwise disposed of rather than allowed to remain as unusable parcels.
(Code 1964 § 26-33; Code 1985 § 27-54)
The commission may require subdividers of residential subdivisions to set aside land for parks, playgrounds, schools and similar public and semipublic uses, subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
Subdividers shall not be required to dedicate land for parks or playgrounds in an amount exceeding 10 percent of the area of the subdivision, exclusive of street and drainage reservations, without reimbursement by the city council.
(2) 
Subdividers shall not be required to reserve land for public purposes other than streets, drainage, parks and playgrounds, except on a reimbursement basis. They shall be reimbursed within 18 months following the recording of the plat for the reserved land, or it may be subdivided and sold as lots.
(Code 1964 § 26-29; Code 1985 § 27-56)
Except where alleys are permitted, the commission may require easements up to 10 feet in width for poles, wires, conduits, storm and sanitary sewers, gas, water and heat mains and other public utilities along all rear and side lot lines. Easements may be of a greater width for the extension of existing or planned utilities.
(Code 1964 § 26-30; Code 1985 § 27-57)
Building setbacks shall conform to those established in the zoning code for the district in which the subdivision lies.
Cross reference – Zoning, Title 18.
(Code 1964 § 26-31; Code 1985 § 27-58)
Where the regulations of the zoning code do not apply, parking facilities shall be provided and be approved by the planning commission.
Cross reference – Zoning, Title 18.
(Code 1964 § 26-32; Code 1985 § 27-59)