Land Development Division

To apply for a family land transfer the applicant must submit the following:

• Development Control Form
• Residential Site / Subdivision Fee Calculation Sheet
• Final Plat Checklist
• Legal Instrument (Deed) Checklist (if applicable)
• Family Subdivision Application (must attach copy of birth certificate and deed)
• Family Land Transfer Checklist

Per Section 25 - 6 of the Prince William County Subdivision Ordinance:

Under provisions of the Subdivision Ordinance, owners may subdivide property in the A-1 zoning district resulting in lots at least one acre in size, and transfer the lots to immediate family members. This is referred to as a “Family Land Subdivision” or “Family Transfer.” 

Immediate family member is defined by law as “any person who is a natural or legally defined offspring, spouse, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew of the sub-divider.”  

The subject property must have been in the name of the current owner for a minimum of five years prior to submission of the application. Furthermore the new owner must hold the property for a minimum of five years following the transfer. 

There are additional requirements for a family transfer pertaining to frontage road design, sewage disposal systems and water supply among other things. Refer to Section 25-6 of the Subdivision Ordinance of the Prince William County Code for additional information. Other documents containing provisions relevant to the subdivision of land are the Prince William County Zoning Ordinance and the Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM).