Land Divisions or Combinations

Transfer of Land Between Adjacent Properties

The sale or exchange of land between owners of adjoining property resulting in a property line change may occur through the use of a Quit Claim Deed. This method may not be used to create new lots. The City may require a Certified Survey Map prior to issuing permits for projects that cross a previously platted lot line.

Combine or Divide a Tax Parcel

Adjacent properties that are owned by the same entity may be combined into one tax parcel by a request made to the Assessor's Office of the City of Milwaukee. Platted lots currently linked into one tax parcel may be divided with a similar request. Property owners should seek professional assistance to draft new legal description(s) for the resulting tax parcel(s). This method may not be used to create new lots. The City may require a Certified Survey Map prior to issuing permits for projects that cross a previously platted lot line.

Joinder Deed Restriction

When parcels are combined or property lines are changed by one of the methods above rather than by certified survey map or subdivision plat, the Development Center of Department of Neighborhood Services may allow for a joinder deed restriction to be recorded against the property to prevent a division of property in the future that would result in a violation of the building or zoning codes. The Certified Survey Map process remains the preferred method for combining parcels. 

Subdivision of Land Creating Four Parcels or Less

A subdivision of land creating four parcels or less requires a final certified survey map and a final certified survey map application to be submitted to the Planning Administration Section of the Department of City Development. The City of Milwaukee no longer accepts preliminary certified survey maps. The certified survey map review and approval process takes approximately three months from the time of submittal until the map is recorded at the register of deed's office. A certified survey map is the preferred method for changing property boundaries.

• Final Certified Survey Map Application
• Final Certified Survey Map Customer Information

Please e-mail completed applications and the PDF version of the final certified survey map to: [email protected]

Once submitted, instructions on how to pay the application fee will be emailed to the applicant.

Subdivision of Land Creating More than Four Parcels

A subdivision of land creating more than four parcels requires a subdivision plat. A preliminary subdivision plat and a preliminary subdivision plat application along with required fees should be submitted to the Planning Administration Section of the Department of City Development. Once the preliminary subdivision plat is approved by the City a final subdivision plat may be submitted along with a final subdivision plat application and required fees.

• Subdivision Application  pdf
• Subdivision Creating 5 or More Parcels: Application Procedure  pdf