What is the purpose of a subdivision and land development ordinance?

First, the regulations help to make sure that development activity does not have detrimental impacts upon the surrounding community. For example, the ordinance requires that rain water from the developed lot does not run off at a rate that exceeds the rate from the lot prior to development. Such runoff could cause erosion on neighboring properties and flooding of adjacent roads. The ordinance also assures the orderly provision of services and infrastructure needed to support development. Streets, for example, are required for new lots in order to provide adequate access to the property now and in the future. Wastewater treatment facilities are another example of improvements required for new lots and developments. Finally, the ordinance requires that the plan be recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds to become part of the land records system. This helps current and future landowners understand where their property lines are located. This is a source of title information in ...