Chapter 17.86 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS

This Chapter provides procedures for the preparation, filing, review, and approval or denial of applications for Lot Line Adjustment, in compliance with Government Code Section 66412(d) .

The Lot Line Adjustment procedure shall be used for the purpose of relocating lot lines between four or fewer adjoining parcels, where land taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel and where no more parcels are created than originally existed. A Lot Line Adjustment may result in fewer parcels than originally existed. A Lot Line Adjustment shall be processed in compliance with this Chapter. For the purposes of this Chapter, an "adjacent parcel" is one that directly touches at least one of the other parcels involved in the adjustment. (Ord. 723 §17, 2022)

A Lot Line Adjustment application shall be prepared, filed, and processed in compliance with this Section.

• A. Application content. A Lot Line Adjustment application shall include all information and other materials required by the Lot Line Adjustment process guidelines provided by the Planning Department.

• B. Processing. Lot Line Adjustment applications shall be submitted to the City Planner and shall be processed according to the procedures specified by Chapter 17.70 (Applications, Processing and Fees). An environmental assessment in compliance with Section 17.70.060 (Initial Application Review/Environmental Assessment) may be required or may be waived in compliance with Section 15305 of the CEQA Guidelines.

• (Ord. 723 §18, 2022)

The parcels proposed in a Lot Line Adjustment shall be designed to conform with all applicable standards of Articles II (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses) and III (Site Planning and General Development Standards); except that an adjustment involving existing nonconforming parcels and/or parcels with existing nonconforming development may be approved provided that:

• A. The adjustment will not have the effect of creating a greater number of nonconforming parcels than existed before adjustment and will not cause a parcel that was nonconforming before the adjustment to become more nonconforming as a result of the adjustment, except where the review authority determines that the adjustment will substantially improve the conditions of the pre-adjustment parcel and development;

• B. Any existing conforming development on a parcel will not become nonconforming as a result of the adjustment; and

• C. Where existing development was nonconforming before the adjustment, the adjustment itself will not increase the nonconformity, except where the review authority determines that the adjustment will substantially improve the conditions of the pre-adjustment parcel and development.

• A. Public hearing. A public hearing shall not be required for a Lot Line Adjustment.

• B. Findings and decision. The City Council, may approve a Lot Line Adjustment, with or without conditions, only if all of the following findings can be made:

  1. The Lot Line Adjustment does not create a greater number of parcels than originally existed;

  2. The parcels resulting from the Lot Line Adjustment and development on those parcels conform to all applicable requirements of this Chapter, this Development Code, and Title 14 (Building and Construction) of the Municipal Code;

  3. Existing utilities, infrastructure, and easements, including but not limited to streets, driveways, sewer mains, water mains, and electrical lines, will not be adversely affected by the Lot Line Adjustment, or if utilities, infrastructure, or easements will be adversely affected, conditions have been applied to the approval of the Lot Line Adjustment to facilitate their relocation.

In approving a Lot Line Adjustment, the City Council as applicable may impose specific development conditions as it finds are reasonable and necessary to ensure that the approval will be in compliance with the findings required by Section 17.86.050(B) (Approval or Denial of Adjustment Findings and Decision), and Government Code 66412(d).

(Ord. 723 §19, 2022)

Within 24 months after approval of a Lot Line Adjustment, the adjustment process shall be completed as set forth in this Section through the recordation of a deed or parcel map, after all conditions of approval have been satisfied.

• A. Completion by deed.

  1. A Lot Line Adjustment shall not be considered legally completed until either a grant deed or a quit claim deed signed by the record owners has been recorded in compliance with this Section.

  2. The applicant shall submit deeds and a plat map to the City Engineer for review, approval, and signature in compliance with subsection B of this Section, before recordation of the grant deed or quit claim deed.

  3. The legal descriptions provided in the deeds shall be prepared by a qualified registered civil engineer, or a land surveyor licensed in California.

• B. Review and approval by City Engineer. The City Engineer shall:

  1. Examine deeds to ensure all record title owners have consented to the adjustment;

  2. Examine deeds to ensure any deeds of trust or similar encumbrances will be modified to reflect new parcel descriptions;

  3. Verify all conditions of approval have been satisfactorily completed and deeds and exhibits are in substantial compliance with the Lot Line Adjustment approved by the review authority;

  4. When satisfied that deeds and exhibits comply with above requirements, provide an endorsed approval to the City Clerk; and

  5. After approval of legal descriptions and exhibits, assemble and return them to the City Clerk for recording.

• C. Expiration. The approval of a Lot Line Adjustment, including a Lot Line Adjustment that was approved before the effective date of this Development Code, shall expire and become void if the adjustment has not been completed in compliance with this Section within 24 months of approval.

• (Ord. 723 §20, 2022)