At what phase of subdivision development can lots be sold?

Selling lots in a subdivision development can only occur after the plat has been approved and officially recorded. This is a critical step in the subdivision process, as the recorded plat serves as the legal blueprint outlining the layout of the subdivision, including the dimensions and locations of individual lots, streets, and common areas.

Approval of the plat indicates that it has been reviewed and complies with local land use regulations and zoning laws. Once recorded, the plat provides public notice of the subdivision’s existence and its established boundaries, ensuring that buyers have a clear understanding of what they are purchasing.

Selling lots during the planning phase would be premature since the specific layout and legal descriptions of the lots have not yet been finalized or made official. Even after construction is completed, without a recorded plat, lots cannot be sold. Similarly, initial zoning approval does not allow for the selling of lots because it only confirms the permissible use of the land, not the detailed arrangement necessary for sales transactions.

Thus, having a recorded plat is essential for legitimizing lot sales and protecting both the developer and the purchasers.