For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates, or requires, a different meaning.
ACQUISITION PLAT. The graphical representation of the division of land or rights in land, created as the result of a conveyance or condemnation for right-of-way purposes by an agency of the government or other persons having the power of eminent domain (per Iowa Code § 441.29).
ALIQUOT PART. A fractional part of a section within the United States public land survey system. Only the fractional parts one-half, one-quarter, one-half of one-quarter, or one-quarter of one-quarter shall be considered an ALIQUOT PART of a section (per Iowa Code § 354.2(2)).
ALLEY. Public property dedicated to public use primarily for vehicular access to the back or side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.
AUDITOR’S PLAT. A subdivision plat required by either the Auditor or the Assessor, prepared by a surveyor under the direction of the Auditor (per Iowa Code § 354.2(3)).
BLOCK. An area of land within a subdivision that is entirely bounded by streets, railroad rights-of-way, rivers, tracts of public land, or the boundary of the subdivision.
BUILDING LINES. A line on a plat between which line and public right-of-way no building or structures may be erected.
CITY ENGINEER. The professional engineer registered in the state designated as the CITY ENGINEER by the governing body or other hiring authority.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. The general plan for the development of the community that may be titled master plan, comprehensive plan, or some other title, which plan has been adopted by the governing body. Such COMPREHENSIVE PLAN shall include any part of such plan separately adopted, and any amendment to such plan or parts thereof.
CONVEYANCE. An instrument filed with the Recorder as evidence of the transfer of title to land, including any form of deed or contract (per Iowa Code § 354.2(5)).
CUL-DE-SAC. A street having one end connecting to another street, and the other end terminated by a vehicular turn around.
DIVISION. Dividing a tract or parcel of land into two parcels of land by conveyance or for tax purposes. The conveyance of an easement, other than public highway easement, shall not be considered a division for the purpose of this chapter (per Iowa Code §§ 354.2(6) and 355.1(2)).
EASEMENT. An authorization by a property owner for another to use a designated part of said owner’s property for a specified purpose.
FORTY-ACRE ALIQUOT PART. One-quarter of one-quarter of a section (per Iowa Code § 354.2(7)).
GOVERNING BODY. The City Council (per Iowa Code § 354.2(8)).
GOVERNMENT LOT. A tract, within a section, that is normally described by a lot number as represented and identified on the township plat of the United States public land survey system (per Iowa Code §§ 354.2(9) and 355.1(3)).
IMPROVEMENTS. Changes to land necessary to prepare it for building sites including, but not limited to, grading, filling, street paving, curb paving, sidewalks, walkways, water mains, sewers, drainageways, and other public works and appurtenances.
LOT. A tract of land represented and identified by number or letter designation on an official plat (per Iowa Code § 354.2(10)).
LOT, CORNER. A lot situated at the intersection of two streets.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE. Any lot that is not a corner lot that abuts two streets.
METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION. A description of land that uses distances and angles, uses distances and bearings, or describes the boundaries of the parcel by reference to physical features of the land (per Iowa Code § 354.2(11)).
OFFICIAL PLAT. Either an auditor’s plat or a subdivision plat that meets the requirements of this chapter and has been filed for record in the offices of the Recorder, Auditor, and Assessor (per Iowa Code § 354.2(12)).
ORIGINAL PARCEL. Forty acres or part thereof entered of record in the office of the County Recorder as a single lot or parcel on or before April 2, 1985.
OWNER. The legal entity holding title to the property being subdivided, or such representative or agent as is fully empowered to act on its behalf.
PARCEL. A part of a tract of land (per Iowa Code § 354.2(13)).
PERFORMANCE BOND. A surety bond or cash deposit made out to the city in an amount equal to the full cost of the improvements which are required by this chapter, said cost estimated by the city and said surety bond or cash bond being legally sufficient to secure to the city that the said improvements will be constructed in accordance with this chapter.
PERMANENT REAL ESTATE INDEX NUMBER. A unique number or combination of numbers assigned to a parcel of land pursuant to Iowa Code §§ 441.29 and 352.2(14).
PLAT. A map drawing, or chart on which a subdivider’s plan for the subdivision of land is presented, that said subdivider submits for approval and intends, in final form, to record.
PLATS OFFICER. The individual assigned the duty to administer this chapter by the governing body or other appointing authority.
PLAT OF SURVEY. The graphical representation of a survey of one or more parcels of land, including a complete and accurate description of each parcel within the plat, prepared by a registered land surveyor (per Iowa Code §§ 354.2(15) and 355.1(9)).
PROPRIETOR. A person who has a recorded interest in land, including a person selling or buying land pursuant to a contract, but excluding persons holding mortgage, easement, or lien interest (per Iowa Code § 354.2(16)).
RESUBDIVISION. Any subdivision of land that has previously been included in a recorded plat. In appropriate context it may be a verb referring to the act of preparing a plat of previously subdivided land.
STREET. Public property, not an alley, intended for vehicular circulation. In appropriate context the term STREET may refer to the right-of-way bounded by the property lines of such public property, or may refer to the paving installed within such right-of-way.
STREET, ARTERIAL. A street primarily intended to carry traffic from one part of the city to another, and not intended to provide access to abutting property.
STREET, COLLECTOR. A street primarily designed to connect smaller areas of the community, and to carry traffic from local streets to arterial streets.
STREET, LOCAL. A street primarily designed to provide access to abutting property.
SUBDIVIDER. The owner of the property being subdivided, or such other person or entity empowered to act on the owner’s behalf.
SUBDIVISION.
(1) The accumulative effect of dividing an original lot, tract, or parcel of land, as of April 2, 1985 into three or more lots for the purpose of immediate or future sale or transfer for development purposes excluding public roadways, public utility extensions, and land taken by condemnation.
(2) The term includes a RESUBDIVISION or REPLATTING. When appropriate to the context, the word may relate to the process of subdividing or the land subdivided.
(3) Any person not in compliance with the provisions of this definition at the time of its effective date (April 2, 1985), shall not be required to comply with such provisions unless or until a new division, re-subdivision, or replatting occurs following that effective date (per Iowa Code §§ 354.2(17) and 355.1(10)).
SUBDIVISION PLAT. The graphical representation of the subdivision of land, prepared by a registered land surveyor, having a number or letter designation for each lot within the plat and succinct name or title that is unique for the county where the land is located (per Iowa Code §§ 354.2(18) and 355.1(11)).
SURVEYOR. A registered land surveyor who engages in the practice of land surveying pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 542B and §§ 354.2(19) and 355.1(12).
TRACT. An aliquot part of a section, a lot within an official plat, or a government lot (per Iowa Code § 354.2(20)).
UTILITIES. Systems for the distribution or collection of water, gas, electricity, wastewater, and stormwater.
(Prior Code, § 6-7-5)