Before moving forward, determine whether platting is required for the property. In general, platting is required when:

• You are subdividing land into two or more lots.
• You are combining or reconfiguring property boundaries.
• You need a legal lot of record for development or to obtain permits.

NOTE: Consult and hire a licensed civil engineer to prepare the plat for submittal. 

We recommend meeting with the Planning Department before applying, especially for:

• Large or phased developments
• Complex or unusual subdivisions

Contact the department at (956) 794-1613 and/or planning@ci.laredo.tx.us

Prepare and submit a complete plat application package. 

Please see the Plat Requirements and Checklist (PDF).

Application Forms:

• General Masterplan/Preliminary Plat Application (PDF)
• Final Plat Application (PDF)

Plat Fee Schedule:

• Subdivision Plat Fee Schedule (PDF)

Submittal Deadline:

• Plat Application Deadlines Calendar (PDF)

Upload Digital Documents:

• Hightail Upload 

NOTE: All plat application materials must be submitted to the Planning Department at least 15 days before the scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. 

After your completed application is received, the plat will undergo a coordinated technical review by city departments.

During this stage, staff will evaluate the plat for compliance with the Subdivision Ordinance, Land Development Code, and other applicable standards. Preliminary comments will be compiled and presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission. 

The preliminary plat will be scheduled for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission may take one of the following actions:

• Approve the plat.
• Approve with conditions.
• Deny the plat.

NOTE: Preliminary plat approval is required before proceeding to the One-Stop Shop (OSS) or submitting a Final Plat - unless the project qualifies for simultaneous preliminary and final approval under the Subdivision Ordinance. 

Once preliminary plat approval is granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the applicant may proceed to the One-Stop Shop (OSS) - Engineering Department for technical clearance.

At this stage, formal final approvals are issued by the following departments:

• Engineering Department
• Traffic Safety Department
• Utilities Department
• Environmental Department
• Fire Department

To submit to the One-Stop Shop, please visit the OSS Webpage/Portal. 

Once all final approvals have been secured through the One-Stop Shop (OSS), the applicant may submit the final plat for final consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

At this stage, the Commission may take one of the following actions:

• Approve the final plat.
• Approve with conditions.
• Deny the final plat. 

NOTE: Final plat approval is required prior to plat recordation. 

The Model Subdivision Rules, adopted under Texas Water Code, Section 16.343, established minimum standards for residential subdivisions to ensure safe water supply, wastewater disposal, drainage, and legal street access.

In the City of Laredo, Model Rules Subdivision Compliance is required for all residential subdivisions undergoing the platting process, whether located inside city limits or in the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

As part of the compliance process, the subdivider and the City of Laredo Utilities Department must enter into: 

• A Water Service Agreement, confirming that the Utilities Department has reviewed the subdivision plans and has calculated the anticipated drinking water demand under full build-out conditions.
•  A Wastewater Service Agreement, confirming that the Utilities Department has reviewed the subdivision plans and has estimated the projected wastewater flow under full build-out conditions.

 What to Submit:

• A cover page. 
• A digital copy (PDF) the subdivision plat (include the water distribution system and sanitary sewer system page). 
• The signed Water Service Agreement. 
• The signed Wastewater Agreement. 

These documents must be submitted to the Planning Department for Planning and Zoning Commission approval prior to plat recordation.

You may either submit them in person at our office or upload them using the Hightail Upload. 

After receiving final plat approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the applicant may proceed with plat recordation.

To begin the recordation process, the applicant must:

• Submit the original plat (on approved material, such as Mylar) with all required signatures to the Engineering Department.
• Provide the required documents listed below to the Planning Department.

Required Documents:

Tax Certificates:

• Signed and sealed from all applicable taxing authorities (City, County, School District, etc.)
• Must show a zero (0) balance.
• Fee: $25.00 for the first page, plus $4.00 for each additional page (per account). 

Plat Recordation Fee (made payable to Webb County Clerk):

• $120.00 for the first page. 
• $50.00 for each additional page.

Next Steps:

Upon verification and acceptance, the Planning Department will forward the plat for official filing with the Webb County Clerk. Once recorded, the plat becomes a legal document, and the applicant may proceed with applying for building permits and utility connections.