Every owner of every tract of land located within the corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City, who intends to develop, or divide their tract into two or more parts, must have a plat approved in accordance with State and Locals laws. The plat must be prepared by a registered public surveyor. Many plats also require the design and installation of necessary infrastructure in accordance with City Design Standards and Criteria.

Subdivision development in the City of Benbrook follows a structured, step-by-step review process to ensure projects meet City standards for zoning, subdivision design, drainage, infrastructure, and floodplain development.

The City works closely with the Benbrook Water Authority (BWA) during all development processes.   BWA is separate from the City and has jurisdiction over all public water and sanitary sewer systems. BWA also reviews and approves all irrigation plans and permits. Contact BWA directly with any water or sewer related questions ([Benbrook Water Authority, TX | Official Website]; or call 817-249-1250).

Sketch Plat Review

Every new project begins with the Sketch Plat Review, which identifies potential concerns and determines which review path will apply. Either the:

• Standard Plat Process; or
• Minor Plat Process.

The required Sketch Plat Review is the first step in the subdivision development process. It allows City staff to conceptually review the layout, zoning compliance, drainage patterns, and other development related topics.  The sketch plat review aims to:

• Identify potential development constraints early.
• Verify consistency with existing zoning and the Comprehensive Plan.
• Determine whether the project follows the Standard or Minor plat process.
• Identify any other review process that may apply.

Note: The Sketch Plat Review must be completed before any Floodplain Development Permit, Engineering Plan Review, or Plat application is accepted for review.

Zoning and Land Use Approvals (if required)

If zoning inconsistencies are identified during Sketch Plat review, the applicant must obtain the necessary land use rights before submitting associated engineering plans  or moving forward with any other submittals.

All rezoning requests must align with the Comprehensive Plan and require public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.

Contact Planning Staff with zoning verification related questions.

Subdivision Approval Processes

After Sketch Plat review, the project will be assigned to one of two primary platting processes:

• Standard Plat Process – Typically for subdivisions or projects creating more than 4 lots or extending public infrastructure.
• Minor Plat Process – Typically for small-scale projects that do not require new public infrastructure or street extensions and meet the requirements of Section 16.16.010.B of the Benbrook Municipal Code

Standard Plat Process   

Step 1: Preliminary Engineering Review

Evaluates the feasibility of infrastructure design (grading, drainage, utilities, access, floodplain development, and stormwater management).

Approval is required before submitting a preliminary plat application.

Step 2: Preliminary Plat Approval

Establishes the general layout of streets, lots, easements, and rights-of-way.
 Reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission for consistency with zoning, and subdivision standards and processes.

Step 3: Final Engineering Review

Detailed construction plans for all public and private improvements are submitted for review, including:

• Public infrastructure such as streets, drainage, and utilities.
• Private lot grading, site drainage, stormwater management, and other civil improvements.

All technical comments must be resolved before the plat submitting a final plat application.

Step 4: Final Plat Approval

The Final Plat legally creates the lots, easements, and dedications consistent with the approved Preliminary Plat and Final Engineering plans.

Once approved and signed, the plat is recorded with Tarrant County.

Minor Plat Process

Step 1: Preliminary Engineering Review

Confirms grading, drainage, and utility feasibility; and will determine whether final engineering is required prior to platting or if it can be submitted with a building permit application.

Step 2: Final Plat Approval

Once all applicable engineering plan reviews are complete, a final plat may be submitted for review and consideration. 

Floodplain Reclamation Process

Projects that propose to reclaim land from the regulatory floodplain must complete these steps, which may be in addition to the above subdivision review processes.

1. Final Engineering Review – Engineering plans must be finalized and approved before any CLOMR submission.
2. Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) – Submitted to FEMA after Final Engineering approval. CLOMR approval is required before the City can issue a Floodplain Development Permit.
3. Floodplain Development Permit – Issued only after Final Engineering and CLOMR approval. Confirms compliance with City floodplain regulations.
4. Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) – If the project modifies the official 100-year floodplain boundary a LOMR must be obtain (see effective date on FEMA's issued letter).
5. Final Plat Recordation – If the project modifies the official 100-year floodplain boundary, a Final Plat cannot be fully approved, until the effective date of a FEMA approved LOMR and the newly approved floodplain is denoted on the final plat.

Note: The CLOMR is required if a project impacts the floodway, causes a rise in the base flood elevation (BFE), changes the shape of the regulated floodplain, or creates floodplain.