The owner(s) in fee simple of the property must sign the plat before a notary and have two (2) witnesses for EACH signature. The owner(s) in fee simple executing the plat must remain such until the subdivision is recorded.

If the owner is a corporation, the plat must be signed by two (2) officers who are designated by the corporation charter or by the Board of Directors to act for the corporation. A Corporation seal is required. The corporation seals must be firmly impressed to the plat and be legible. Stick-on seals are unacceptable.

If the owner is a partnership, the plat must be signed by a general partner.

If there is a mortgage(s) on any property involved in the subdivision, the trustee(s) must sign the plat in the space provided. Indicate the number of trusts in the space provided. The trustee(s) signature(s) do not have to be witnessed or notarized.

The applicant must take the plat to the Office of Tax and Revenue, Real Property Tax Administration, Customer Service Center, located at 1100 4th Street, SW, 3rd Floor, for certification as to the correctness of ownership shown on the plat and to verify that all current taxes and special assessments have been paid. When plats are to be recorded between April 1 and September 30, taxes must be paid through September 30; if recorded between October 1 and March 31, the taxes must be paid through March 31. Any questions regarding payment of taxes must be directed to the Office of Tax and Revenue at (202) 442-6696 or (202) 442-6790.

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) at DOB reviews all subdivisions to determine whether the land, included in the subdivision application is within a Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone A or AE).  All DOEE reviews should be initiated on the 2nd Floor at 1100 4th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20024.

1. If the land is within Zone X, DOEE will note the Zone X status (without elevation) and sign off a subdivision plat without collecting any fee.
2. If the land is within Zone A or AE, DOEE and DOB will direct the applicant to DOEE HQ to obtain a flood zone and flood elevation determination.
   • DOEE HQ will provide an official determination of a flood zone and flood elevation for a specific location for a fee of $100.
   • DOEE and DOB will sign off on the subdivision plat with a DOEE approved flood zone and Flood Plain Information Request Form.

DOEE requires, for review and approval for compliance with DCMR 20, Chapter 31 – Flood Hazard Rules, that any subdivision located in whole or in part in a Special Flood hazard (SFHA) that is greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever in the lesser, shall provide Base Flood Elevation* (BFE) data with the subdivision application, pursuant to 20 DCMR 3104.5

1. BFE data can be obtained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for the District of Columbia, effective date September 27, 2010.
2. Pursuant to 20 DCMR 3104.8, if BFE data is not available from the FIRM or FIS, the applicant shall develop BFE in accordance with current accepted hydrologic and hydraulic engineering practices.  When developed by the applicant, BFE data shall be certified by a District registered professional engineer (PE).
   • Base Flood Elevation is the elevation of the 100-year flood (the flood having a one percent) (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

The plat is then taken to the Historic Preservation Division desk (#5) in the Permit Center located at 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor for review and sign off. All subdivision plats are to be taken to the Historic Preservation Division for a determination concerning the historic nature of the subdivision's location.

The plat is then taken to the Office of the Zoning Administrator at 1100 4th Street SW, 3rd floor for certification as to compliance with Zoning Regulations. Note: The Office of the Zoning Administrator will hold the subdivision for review and signature by the Zoning Administrator. Upon signature, the Zoning Division will forward the subdivision to the Surveyor’s Office for final processing. Contact the Office of the Zoning Administrator at (202) 442-4576 to confirm delivery to the Surveyor’s Office.

Upon receipt from Zoning, the subdivision will be reviewed, signed given a new lot number and record in the Office of the Surveyor within 3 business days.

The Zoning Administrator requires the following information in order to review and sign any subdivision plat for zoning compliance. The provisions of DCMR 10, Section 2703 require a preliminary sketch, drawn to scale and including but not limited to the following:

1. Boundary of the land to be divided (Plat showing how the land is currently configured before subdivision);
2. Provide a building location survey (Man made features, such as buildings, structures, walls, fences, culverts and sewers must be shown, be sure to indicate length and width dimensions, setbacks, and number of stories);
3. If you are subdividing Assessment and Taxation lot(s), provide the date the lot(s) were created (Subdivision history).

When submitting the original Mylar plat for approval by the Zoning Administrator, the scaled sketch showing the above items must be provided with the subdivision plat.