Recorded Maps

Process Description
A recorded map is a legal instrument referenced to deeds and other legal documents. Often deeds will refer to a recorded map by listing the deed book & page number for reference. This helps future property owners by providing a visual reference of property configuration.

The Recorded Maps review process is intended to ensure that legal plats placed on record in the Wake County Register of Deeds office are properly prepared to meet State and local regulations, properly reflect any preliminary subdivision plans or preliminary site plan, recombination or master plans that may precede them, and properly establish property boundaries, addresses, etc. that will make possible subsequent construction of new buildings on these lots.

Maps for recording within the City Limits and ETJ must be submitted to the Development Services Customer Service Center and approved by the Department of City Planning prior to submission to the Wake County Register of Deeds, with the exception of Boundary Surveys.

Maps are submitted to the Development Services Customer Service Center. Once a map is formally submitted for review, a transaction # is issued to allow the applicant to track the progress of the review and comments entered by staff through our "Online Development Center". It is then assigned to a coordinating staff review officer who will then coordinate the entire review and approval. When submitted, the nature of the map will determine if the map will be placed in either a single track or a multi track review.

Single track - Boundary survey, exempt map, recombination, tree conservation, transit easement map or right of way dedication, not related to an approved or pending development plan. These types of maps typically require review by no more than two (2) departments, including the Department of City Planning.

Multi-track - Any type of map related to an approved development plan, subdivision, site plan or master plan. These types of plans typically need review by more than two (2) departments, including the Department of City Planning. (For multi track plans, maps are reviewed in paper form within ten (10) business days, with review of final mylars for signature taking an additional five (5) business days.

Plans are reviewed in accordance with City Code Part 10 Chapter 3 Sections 10-3014 through 10-3017, Section 10-3032 and with State Statutes regarding the proper form for maps submitted for recording. Maps go through a technical review by city staff from various departments in addition to Department of City Planning, such as the Public Works - Transportation and Stormwater Divisions, Parks & Recreation, Public Utilities, and Inspections. After a technical review by staff, comments are compiled and entered into the database to allow for electronic access. The client is notified of the completion of the review by telephone and must pick up the marked-up copy and comment sheet at the Development Services Customer Service Center. Some maps require approval of public Infrastructure Construction Plans, if required by the conditions of approval for a preliminary subdivision or site plan. These infrastructure construction plans must be approved prior to submission of a map for review.

Once the client or surveyor has complied with requests set forth in the recorded map comment sheet, the client submits three (3) copies of the map for recording on mylar along with the review redlines and comment sheet to the coordinating staff reviewer for final review processing and official City signature. Once final is approved, the client is notified by telephone that the map is ready for pick up at the Records Desk in the Development Services Customer Service Center and they are instructed to proceed with placing the plat on record at the Wake County Register of Deeds.

Maps must be placed on record within 14 days of City signature. If the client does not record the plat within the 14 days, the three (3) mylars of the plat must be re-submitted to the coordinating review officer who will review to ensure that changes have not been made, and re-authorize the recording, starting another 14 day window to record.

Once the client has officially recorded the plat, they will be given one (1) mylar for record keeping by the Wake County Register of Deeds. The Wake County Register of Deeds will keep a copy for the County's records and the City of Raleigh will obtain the 3^rd copy. The property information from the recorded plat will then be entered into the Wake County Property records by the City's GIS division. The official address and PIN (Property Identification Number) will then be established, and building or grading permits may be applied for on the new or newly-reconfigured lot.

Effective July 7, 2007, applicants will be required to submit copies of any legal documents associated with a recording to the Department of City Planning within 14 days of recording. These documents will be filed with the approved preliminary development plan. Failure to submit the recorded legal documents will delay the permitting process on that property.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

• If property is on a state road then all NCDOT driveway or encroachment permits must be obtained prior to building permit issuance
• For maps related to subdivisions or site plans where public infrastructure is to be constructed, Infrastructure Construction Plans must be approved by the Public Works Department prior to submittal of paper copies
• Maps related to developments for which a preliminary plan has been approved (site plans, subdivisions, or Master Plans) where conditions of approval note, “Prior to lot recordation”, must satisfy all of these conditions prior to submittal of paper copies, including the preparation and review of all legal documents that may be associated with these conditions
• If a submitted map dedicates a new public or private street, a street name application must be submitted to the Department of City Planning Staff for approval
• For maps with a tree conservation area, a tree conservation permit must be approved by the Inspections Department and a copy provided with the paper map upon submittal
• For any recording, a legally licensed North Carolina Professional Land Surveyor must stamp and seal the maps. Land surveyors act as consultants for the clients by preparing maps and performing the data research for map reviews
• Make sure the property meets the zoning requirements in terms of setbacks, minimum lot size requirements, lot widths and depth
• Any private use of public rights of way may require approval of an encroachment agreement by the City Council prior to submittal of a map for recording. Some types of downtown encroachments may be approved administratively. Reference the Private Use of Public Spaces Requirements document in the link to the right
• All previous property recordings must be provided on maps including the BOM and Deed References (include Book and Page references)

How do I start the process?

• Consult with a surveyor well in advance of the need to record the map. For any recording, you must engage a legally licensed North Carolina Professional Land Surveyor to prepare, stamp and seal any map for recording. Your licensed surveyor as well as your land use attorney can help you understand the feasibility of various property options in the development process
• The complete submittal package noted below is delivered to the Development Services Customer Service Center for review. Review fees are required upon submittal. An additional fee per lot is due upon the final submittal of the mylar copies for recording, if new lots are being created

What do I need to submit to the City?

RECORDED MAP SUBMITTAL PACKAGE
Required for Submittal	Recorded Map Application (doc) (pdf) Fee (see Development Fee Schedule)
Recommended for a Successful Review	Recorded Map Checklist
Required for Some Projects	Planning Plat Certificates to be used on a plat Stormwater Plat Certificate to be used on a plat Street Closing Petition (doc) or (pdf) when closing existing public rights-of-way (The Street Closing process requires City Council approval prior to submittal for map recording) Street Name Change (doc) or (pdf) when existing streets are proposed to be re-named. (The Street Name Change process requires City Council approval prior to submittal for map recording) Street Name Application when new streets are created as part of a subdivision map

What additional documents may be needed?

• Executed encroachment agreement, if applicable
• Book of Maps and Page number of any required legal documents already recorded that are related to public infrastructure: Stormwater documents, Off-site drainage or utility easements
• Copies of legal documents that may be required to be recorded in conjunction with the map for recording, including: Transit easements, Cross-access easements, Public access easements, Landscape easements
• Copy of Tree Conservation area permit
• Appeal Process Disclaimer (DSCSC form regarding project submittal during an appeal cycle)

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?

• Raleigh City Code Part 10 Chapter 3 Sections 10-3014 through 10-3017 and Section 10-3032
• Recorded Map Checklist

Where do I submit my application?

What are the keys to success?

• Review the Recorded Map Checklist carefully to ensure that you have included all documents, fees and requirements for information to be shown on the map
• Ensure that all required legal documents have been approved and recorded prior to submission of paper copies (except those legal documents that refer to the map to be recorded. These may be reviewed in conjunction with the map on the multi-track process and be recorded immediately after the map)
• Ensure that you have submitted your Infrastructure Construction Plans allowing adequate time for review and approval of these plans and associated legal documents BEFORE you attempt to submit a map for recording. This often takes several weeks
• Involve your surveyor early in the preparation of the development plan, and consult with them about property recordation issues and about the necessary legal property issues surrounding your development well in advance of submitting a map for recording
• Make sure your map properly reflects the underlying zoning requirements. A proper understanding of the underlying zoning district and any conditional use zoning conditions (reference Permitted Uses - Zoning Districts) will greatly facilitate the proper designation of land requirements such as setbacks, minimum lot size requirements, lot widths and depths on the map
• Make sure that the proper statements and certificates are included on the plat - Planning Plat Certificate and/or Stormwater Plat Certificate

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

• See Development Fee Schedule
• Fee payments are delivered to the Development Services Customer Service Center located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400, Raleigh NC
  
• Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
• An additional fee per lot will be due at the time of mylar submittal if new lots are created. Otherwise, the cost of the review includes the mylar signing

How long will this process take?
Single track process (Recombination, Boundary Survey, Exempt Subdivision, Right-of-Way, Plat of Corrections, not related to an approved or pending development plan or routed to more than two (2) departments, including the Department of City Planning:

• Initial review - Five (5) business days
• Subsequent reviews - Up to five (5) business days
• Mylar review and signature - Three (3) business days

Multi track process (Subdivision, Infill Recombination, Easement Dedication, Site plans and Greenway dedication):

• Paper reviews - Ten (10) business days
• Subsequent reviews - Ten (10) business days
• Mylar review - Five (5) business days