Plat Process & Information

Overhead view of a New Braunfels neighborhood under construction

Step By Step - Platting Process Guide

Step 1: Acquire Letters of Certification (LOC) from required entities, as defined by current development process.

Step 2: Complete the Fee Calculations using provided calculator. Fees can be paid at submittal.

Step 3: Complete Application in its entirety, to include: Checklist, Calculated Fees, LOC's. See what’s required for a Plat Application.

Step 4: Submit Completed Package to City Staff. Staff will inspect package for completeness.

  • If Accepted: A Case Manager is assigned, and Technical Completeness Review starts.
  • If Returned: Applicant shall make adjustments and resubmit.

Once the application has been submitted, further instructions will be emailed to the user with the steps necessary to upload the required documents. All documents will need to be uploaded to the separate ePlan site to complete the plat submittal. Application fees will become available for payment on the permitting portal once the full application has been accepted as complete. 

If the applicant is a new user to the City’s ePlan review platform, an account must be created to submit plat drawings and documents on the ePlan site. The email address associated with the applicant from the permitting portal will be automatically invited to the ePlan site via email with a link to the site. 

The proposed subdivision plat must be uploaded to the ePlan review site as follows: 

  1. The plat drawing will be the only document uploaded to the “Plat Drawings” folder 
  2. The page format must be 18 inches high by 24 inches wide 
  3. The file type must be PDF
  4. Each page/sheet of the plat must be one individual file a. Each file shall be named with the subdivision title and page number, i.e., “Green Acres, Unit 1 – Page 1”

Supplementary documents must also be uploaded to the ePlan review site. These may be multiple-page files and are to be uploaded to the folder labeled “All Other Documents.” Please name these files so that they can be quickly and easily identified.  

Step 5: Staff performs Technical Completeness Review

  • If Complete: The application is filed.
  • If Incomplete: Applicant shall make adjustments and resubmit.

Step 6: Application is distributed to reviewing entities. Entities will notify Case Manager of any deficiencies.

Step 7: Case Manager compiles deficiencies into a report and proceeds in one of two ways:

The Report is added to the Planning Commission agenda, resulting in one out of three outcomes below:

  • Approved
    • Approved with conditions - Applicant can resubmit at any time
  • Denied - Resubmit
  • Administrative Review
    • Approved
    • Approved with conditions - Applicant can resubmit at any time
    • Denied - Resubmit

Platting Entitlement Process Flowchart - Current Anticipated Timeline for Plat Application Processing

Preliminary Plats

A preliminary plat is a tentative plat, including supporting data, indicating a proposed subdivision design. The preliminary plat and the review thereof are intended to produce a subdivision design in which all planning factors are recognized and reconciled, prior to submission of the final plat. A preliminary plat is intended to provide the next step in the refinement of the proposed overall project. Preliminary plats often include two or more phases (intended final plats).

  1. Step 1 - LOC's
  2. Step 2 - Calculate Fees
  3. Step 3 - Submittal Preparation
  4. Step 4 - Submit

Step 1 - LOC's


The following Letters of Certification (LOC) are required for a Preliminary Plat to be submitted:

Once the above items are complete you can submit online via the Permitting Portal
Questions? Contact - engineeringtechs@newbraunfels.gov or (830) 221-4253

Utility Providers

To include water and wastewater availability, capacity, and distance to the existing line(s) from the project.
View Utility Providers and LOC Forms
View Sample LOC

Texas Department of Transportation

As it pertains to Access and Right of Way
View Sample LOC

Local Counties

Conditional Approval if installing Private Wells, and/or Onsite Sewage Facilities

Final Plats

The culminating step in the platting process to achieve a map of certain described land prepared in accordance with the platting ordinance as an instrument for the recording of real estate interests in the county recorder’s office. A final plat shows the exact layout of the individual lots, blocks and streets, and contains all other descriptions, locations, specifications, dedications, provisions, and information concerning parks, school sites, drainage ways, easements, alleys, and/or any other elements as required by the platting ordinance. The information indicated on the plat is binding and can only be revised through the approval of a new plat to replace it. To be recorded upon completion and acceptance of public improvements or authorized financial security is posted.


  1. Step 1 - LOC's
  2. Step 2 - Calculate Fees
  3. Step 3 - Plat Preparation
  4. Step 4 - Submit

Step 1 - LOC's


The following Letters of Certification (LOC) are required for a Final Plat to be submitted:

Engineering

With Public Improvements
Approved Public Infrastructure Permit must be presented with Final Plat Application

Without Public Improvements - Letter of Certification
Traffic Impact Analysis Process

Final Plat (Public Improvements Not Required) Letter of Certification

Once the above items are complete you can submit online via the Permitting Portal

Questions? Contact - engineeringtechs@newbraunfels.gov or (830) 221-4253

Utility Providers

To include water and wastewater availability, capacity, distance to the existing line(s) from the project.
View Utility Providers and LOC Forms
View Sample LOC

Texas Department of Transportation

As it pertains to Access and Right of Way.
View Sample LOC

Local Counties

Conditional Approval if installing Private Wells, and/or Onsite Sewage Facilities

Additional Resources

  1. Construction Plans
  2. Recordation Process
  3. Plat Waiver Requests

Construction Plans


Construction plans are the drawings and technical specifications, including bid documents and contract conditions, where applicable, providing a graphic and written description of the character and scope of the work to be performed in the construction of a phase of subdivision (final plat).

Floodplain Permit - Application & Details
If you are proposing a development of any kind (constructing a new building, adding on to an existing building, clearing land, placing fill, grading land, mining, dredging, drilling, etc...) in a floodplain, you MUST submit this application for a Floodplain Development Permit to the Building Division.

Depending upon the type of development you are proposing, additional forms may be required. For example, all new buildings in a Special Flood Hazard Area require an Elevation Certificate to document that the lowest floor of the building is elevated to a certain height relative to the anticipated flood crest of the “base flood” event. The Elevation Certificate and other forms are provided online and at the Building Division, but should only be completed if they are required for the proposed development.

Public Infrastructure Permits - Application & Checklist - Plan Set & Report Requirements

Public infrastructure permits are required for the construction of public improvements necessary when platting property, upgrading facilities or for a proposed development without adequate public infrastructure.
 
Improvements include the construction of public and private streets, alleys, sidewalks, and drainage, water and wastewater systems.
 
Inspections are led by Engineering Construction Inspectors.  Preconstruction meetings are required prior to construction commencing. Construction improvements require City Engineer approval/acceptance for completion in pursuit of City Ordinance Section 118.

Once the above items are complete you can submit online.