Subdivision is the divisor of land into two or more plots/lots. Its purpose is to split a large tract of land into smaller ones that are easier to develop and can be developed independently of one another to increase growth and maximize the use of space. Physical Planning and Urban Development Department Contact Details

Apply In person
Step 1: Obtain a recommendation letter from the area chief

1. Some County Governments in Kenya e.g Uasin Gishu, will require applicants to visit the area’s local chief and obtain a recommendation letter.
2. Applicant is also advised to do a title deed search from Ardhisasa platform which shall provide him/her with any information related to the land such as; if the land has any restrictions that prevent him/her from subdividing it.

Step 2: Contract a surveyor

1. The process shall then commence with the applicant contacting a licensed surveyor, list of such persons can be obtained from the land surveyors board website, under the Membership Directory].
2. A Professional Fee is charged, which depends on the size of the project and the area the property is located.
3. The surveyor shall assist the applicant to get a Registry Index Map (RIM) which shows the map of the land to subdivide. The cost of surveying will depend on the size of the land.
4. The surveyor shall also take measurements to set the boundary mark and creates a subdivision plan that needs to be signed by a physical planner who will issue a Physical Planning Act (PPA1) form. Example forms for different county,
   • County Government of Uasin Gishu (PPA1) form
   • County Government of Meru (PPA1) form

Step 3: Obtain the subdivision scheme and apply for approval of the plan/scheme

1. Subdivision schemes are prepared by a registered Physical Planner with a valid practicing license from the Physical Planners’ Registration Board (PPRB)
2. The investor, through a registered physical planner makes an application to the relevant County Government/ Sub County Planning Office land office by filling in PPA 1 form and attaching the documents (listed below), the plan/scheme, and a planning brief explaining why the amalgamation or subdivision is in line with the policy

   • Ownership documents and certificate of official search or any other evidence of land ownership status from the respective Land Registry.
   • Survey map/Registry Index Map (RIM).
   • At least 4 copies of the subdivision scheme plan duly signed by the developer and the submitting planer.
   • Consent to subdivide from the Land Control Board; (freehold land).
   • Copy of Consulting Planner’s current practicing certificate.
   • Copy of land rates payment/clearance.

3. Application fee (Fee is charged per plot subdivided or amalgamated and varies in different counties).
4. Applicant is then issued a development permission document, is required to wait between 3-5 working days to obtain approval.

Step 4: Obtain approved subdivision scheme plan

1. Approvals are granted by the County Planning Technical Committee (PTC) in their routine meetings. The decision of the committee is communicated by the County Director of Physical Planning through Form PPA.2 (Notification of Approval/Refusal/Deferment of Development Permission) All subdivisions are granted conditional approval.
2. These conditions shall be binding upon the owner, successors, and assigns.
3. Standard performance conditions include but are not limited to:

   • Submission of Engineering drawings.

   • Civil engineering for the roads and stormwater drainage
   • Water supply (and where appropriate sewerage reticulation)

   • Reservation/surrender of land for

   • Public utility,
   • New roads and existing road widening and
   • Service wayleaves and riparian reserves

Step 6: Pay for subdivision

1. The requisite fee will be paid to the County government and the receipt annexed to the planning Brief presented to the County Government.

Step 7: Submit an application for subdivision

1. The investor (Developer) makes an application for the subdivision to the County Government and should submit the following supporting documentation for processing and consideration by the planning board of the area;
   • Mutation form (3 original)
   • Consent letter (copy)
   • Cadastral land map (copy)
   • Physical planning approval (copy)
   • Surveyors practicing certificate (copy) Should be valid
   • Identity card (copy) Of the registered proprietor
   • Contact details of the registered proprietor
2. The applicant then awaits a response to his/her application. The waiting period for the responses by the land board committed depends on the planning board of the area where your land is situated.

Step 8: Obtain parcel numbers

1. After getting consent from the Land Control board, the surveyor will set the boundary marks.
2. The surveyor and landowner sign the land transfer documents and take all the documents mentioned above to the local survey office who will assign new plot numbers.
3. The documents are then taken to the County Registries to register the title deeds.
4. The new title registration documents are taken to the Survey of Kenya office to amend the maps
5. The time frame accumulatively for processing the application is between 7-14 working days.

• Duly completed Application for Development permission (PPA1) form. e.g.

• County Government of Uasin Gishu (PPA1) form
• County Government of Meru (PPA1) form

• Duly completed and signed Mutation form
• Subdivision scheme plan
• Proof of land ownership (title deed)
• KRA PIN Certificate
• Identity card
• Consent letter
• Cadastral land map
• Physical planning approval
• Surveyors practicing certificate.
• Contact details of the registered proprietor

Institute of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK)
Head Office.
10th Floor, Reinsurance Plaza, Taifa Road,
Aga Khan Walk,
Nairobi, Kenya,  East Africa
Telephone: +254-20-313490
Fax: +254-20-2214770
Mobile Phone Number: +254-724-929737 / +254-737-929737
Email: info@isk.or.ke
Website ISK Regional Office Contacts

Physical Planning and Urban Development Department
Head Office
Location: ARDHI HOUSE 1st Ngong Avenue, Off Ngong Rd
Nairobi, Kenya
Address: P.O. Box 30450-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 202718050 / 204803886 /20 271 80 50
Email: info@ardhi.go.ke
Website Link

Any land owner or developer who intends to apply for subdivision of land is eligible to make this application.

The following fees are applicable:

• Application fee (Fee is charged per plot subdivided or amalgamated and varies in different counties)
• PPA 1 form fee (Is always Ksh.1000 in all counties)
• Professional Fee (Depends on the size of the project and the area the property is located)

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

• Application for Development permission (PPA1) form. e.g.

• County Government of Uasin Gishu (PPA1) form
• County Government of Meru (PPA1) form

• Mutation form

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

• The time frame accumulatively for processing the application is between 7-14 working days.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is dkisplayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since January 1908.

• Full names of the land owner/developer
• Contact details
• Identification document number
• Surveyor details
• Plot/land details
• Surveyor registration/license number
• Reason for subdivision of the plot/land
• Declaration

• Subdivision of Land is the process of having one large piece of land usually with a single title deed, divided uniformly into smaller parcels, which will then be issued their own individual title deeds.
• Reasons for subdivision of land include;
• Resale of a portion of land to another individual for a profit.
• Inheritance
• For development.

Enter other information which might help.

Please explain what are other uses for obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

Physical planning and Land use Act No. 13 of 2019 (Section 69)

More information which might help people.