§ 16.20.140. Lot line adjustments.

A.

Applicability. Subject to subsection 16.20.140.E., any affected property owner desiring a lot line adjustment between four or fewer existing adjoining parcels, where the land taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel, and where the number of parcels remains the same or is reduced and improves an existing situation, shall file an application for a lot line adjustment with the community development department.

B.

Submittal and Review Requirements.

1.

Lot line adjustment applications shall contain the following:

a.

Completed planning application form and required fee and attachments (see also Section 16.12.030);

b.

Ten (10) copies of a plot plan, neatly and accurately prepared and at a scale acceptable to the planning director (folded to nine inches by twelve (12) inches size) showing:

i.

North arrow, scale, date of preparation and area (in square feet and acres) of the project,

ii.

The existing and proposed area of the lots being adjusted, along with all bearings and distances, lot numbers, and assessor parcel numbers. Existing lot lines shall be shown by a solid line and proposed lot lines shall be shown by a dashed line. The number of lots being adjusted shall also be included,

iii.

All existing structures, walls, fences or trees that are located on the properties,

iv.

The placement, name and location of all existing streets, easements, and rights-of-way on the land area of the proposed lot line adjustment and those abutting such land,

v.

Sufficient contours to indicate the general elevations and the fall of the project area and adjacent area within one hundred (100) feet,

vi.

Proposed uses of all portions of the project area,

vii.

Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the record owner or lien holder, applicant, and registered civil engineer or land surveyor (and registration or license number) preparing the map;

c.

The following supplemental statements and data shall accompany the lot line adjustment:

i.

Two copies of a preliminary title report dated within the last six months,

ii.

Legal descriptions of all existing parcels and the newly adjusted parcels,

iii.

For lot line adjustments within a mobile home park, written authorization from occupants of affected lots, in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 18610.5.

2.

Upon determination that an application is complete, the proposed project shall be forwarded to the staff advisory committee for their review and comment.

3.

Following a review of the application by community development and public works, the planning commission shall adopt a resolution stating their decision and containing the findings of fact upon which such decision is based. Such decision is subject to the appeal provisions of Section 16.12.150 of this title.

4.

Following approval, all parties of interest in the subject parcels shall sign a certificate of lot line adjustment that eliminates the old lot lines and that contains a legal description and illustration or drawing of the adjusted parcels. This certificate shall be recorded with the county recorder.

C.

Findings. The planning commission shall approve or conditionally approve a lot line adjustment if it does not:

1.

Create any new lots;

2.

Include any lots or parcels created illegally;

3.

Impair any existing access or create a need for access to any adjacent lots or parcels;

4.

Impair any existing easements or create a need for any new easements serving adjacent lots or parcels;

5.

Constitute poor land planning or undesirable lot configurations due to existing environmental conditions or current zoning development standards;

6.

Require substantial alteration of any existing improvements or create a need for any new improvements;

7.

Create a nonconforming lot in the development district in which it exists, except as allowed in Section 16.48.110 of this title.

D.

Conditions of Approval. The planning commission may only impose such conditions of approval necessary to conform to this title or city building ordinances or to facilitate the relocation of existing utilities, infrastructure or easements. A record of survey or other records shall be required pursuant to Section 8762 of the Business and Professions Code if monuments are set at the adjusted lot lines.

E.

This section is intended to prevent serial lot line adjustment applications of more than four adjacent lots.

1.

The total number of lots involved in any proposed lot line adjustment plus all lots that have been adjusted within the five years preceding the proposed lot line adjustment application that are under common ownership or control and that adjoin any of the lots involved in the proposed lot line adjustment may not exceed four lots.

2.

No lot that has previously been adjusted may be part of a subsequent lot line adjustment if it would result in more than four adjoining lots being adjusted within a five-year time period.

(Ord. 573 Exh. A (part), 2005; prior code § 9-04.140)

(Ord. No. 643, §§ 1, 2, 2-14-2012)