An adjustment of boundary lines between existing adjacent parcels, where land taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel, and where a greater number of parcels than originally existed is not thereby created, referred to in this chapter as a “lot line adjustment,” may be filed for record only pursuant to the provisions of this title and upon the approval by the decision-maker containing findings that the lot line adjustment does, or will upon satisfaction of appropriate conditions, conform to the requirements of this title.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
An applicant for a lot line adjustment shall submit all of the following upon initial application:
A. 
A map or drawing to such scale as will show all of the details and dimensions clearly and shall show:
1. 
The location of the previous lot line or lines to be affected, the location of the lines to be approved, the date, the north point, the scale, the acreage of the parcels affected, and a description to identify the property with respect to maps or documents of record;
2. 
The names and addresses of the applicant and any engineer or licensed surveyor representing applicant;
3. 
A small scale vicinity map portraying and orienting the boundaries of the proposed lot line adjustment with respect to surrounding areas and roads;
4. 
The exterior boundary line of the parcels affected conforming with existing records, with essential information as to dimensions and bearings;
5. 
The location, names, widths, approximate grade and curve radii of all existing and proposed roads, streets, and access easements within or affecting the parcels and the existing roads, streets and easements serving the parcels;
6. 
The location, width, nature and status of all existing and proposed easements, reservation and rights-of-way, whether or not of record, to which the property is or will be subject;
7. 
The location of any existing buildings or structures within the affected parcels with a notation of set back distances from lot lines shown;
8. 
Contour lines at five foot intervals where the average slopes exceed 15%;
9. 
All identified flood hazards;
10. 
The location, width, depth and direction of flow of all existing water courses affected by the application;
11. 
The location of existing wells and septic systems; and
12. 
Any documents that may be required to be prepared by a licensed land surveyor or registered civil engineer licensed to practice land surveying if locations or information shown cannot be adequately defined from existing records as determined by the City Surveyor. Maps, plats and other drawings prepared for a record of survey may be submitted for processing so long as all of the foregoing information is supplied in usable form.
B. 
The fee or fees for processing, recording and other services, as established from time to time by the City by resolution or order, shall be paid by the applicant as provided in such resolution or order. The City may for good cause shown amend, reduce or waive the fee for a lot line adjustment.
C. 
Two copies of a preliminary title report of a title insurance company, issued within 60 days of application and maintained in current status, or other assurance of the title to the real property approved by the City by resolution. If the applicant is not the owner of the real property, the applicant shall also submit evidence of written authority from all owners for the application.
D. 
A completed application on a form approved by the Planning and Environmental Services Department, including all information of concern to the decision-maker, including, but not limited to:
1. 
The source of domestic water supply and the method of providing an adequate water supply to each parcel affected;
2. 
The proposed method of sewage disposal;
3. 
Other utilities which are to serve the parcels affected; and
4. 
A preliminary soil test report for a septic report, prepared by Civil Engineer registered as such and qualified to do soils engineering, based upon test borings or excavation deemed adequate by the City’s designated Health Officer. Such preliminary report may be waived by the Health Officer upon determination that no preliminary analysis is necessary.
E. 
Documentation supporting that the parcels involved in the lot line adjustment were created in compliance with the California Government Code and local ordinances.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1; Ord. 12-02 § 25)
A. 
The Planning and Environmental Services Department may distribute copies of the application materials to the Development Review Committee for review and recommendation.
B. 
The Development Review Committee may consider and make recommendations on applications for lot line adjustments to the decision-maker. One copy of such recommendation shall be forwarded to the applicant at least 10 days prior to the date on which the matter is considered by the decision-maker.
C. 
The decision-maker approval with appropriate conditions as may be required under this chapter shall authorize the City Surveyor to file for record the appropriate documents reflecting the lot line adjustment as approved. A notice of the lot line adjustment shall be recorded with the deed of each property to be adjusted. Said notice shall include the following:
1. 
Legal description for each adjusted parcel; and
2. 
Statement of the findings and conditions approving the lot line adjustment; and
3. 
For a lot line adjustment resulting in nonconforming (as to size) parcels which were deemed not residentially developable, a statement that “Parcel(s) _____ were deemed not residentially developable pursuant to the findings approving this lot line adjustment (Project Case No. __________).”
D. 
When the City Surveyor is satisfied that the documents that are to be recorded to complete the lot line adjustment are technically correct, conform to the approval by the decision-maker, comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and that all agreements and securities have been provided, the City Surveyor shall note and execute the City Surveyor’s certificate on the face of the appropriate documents, to indicate that the document(s) appears to be in conformity with the provisions of this title and shall transmit the same to the County Recorder for filing.
E. 
All deeds necessary to record the lot line adjustment shall be deposited with the City Surveyor for recording.
F. 
A lot line adjustment and all conveyances necessary to bring it into effect shall expire unless recorded within 36 months of approval. This period of time may be extended for an additional period or periods of time not to exceed a total of 36 months, provided an application for a time extension(s) is submitted prior to the date of expiration of the lot line adjustment.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
A. 
A lot line adjustment application shall only be approved provided the following findings are made:
1. 
The lot line adjustment is in conformity with the General Plan and purposes and policies of the Zoning Ordinance;
2. 
No parcel involved in the lot line adjustment that conforms to the minimum parcel size of the zone district in which it is located shall become nonconforming as to parcel size as a result of the lot line adjustment.
B. 
Except as provided herein, all parcels resulting from the lot line adjustment shall meet the minimum parcel size requirement of the zone district in which the parcel is located. A lot line adjustment may be approved that results in nonconforming (as to size) parcels provided that it complies with subsection (B)(1) of this section:
1. 
The lot line adjustment satisfies all of the following requirements:
a. 
Four or fewer existing parcels are involved in the adjustment, and
b. 
The lot line adjustment shall not result in increased subdivision potential for any affected parcel, and
c. 
The lot line adjustment shall not result in a greater number of residential developable parcels than existed prior to the adjustment. For the purposes of this subsection only, a parcel shall not be deemed residentially developable if the documents reflecting its approval and/or creation identify that: (1) the parcel is not a building site, or (2) the parcel is designated for a nonresidential purpose including, but not limited to, well sites, reservoirs and roads.
C. 
A parcel shall be deemed residentially developable for the purposes of this section if it has an existing single-family dwelling constructed pursuant to a valid City permit. Otherwise, to be deemed a residentially developable parcel for the purposes of this section only, existing and proposed parcels shall satisfy all of the following criteria as set forth in the City General Plan and zoning and building ordinances:
1. 
Water Supply. The parcel shall have adequate water resources to serve the estimated interior and exterior needs for residential development as shown in a letter of service from the appropriate district or company that shall document that adequate water service is available to the parcel and that such service is in compliance with the Company’s Domestic Water Supply Permit; or demonstrate existence of an approved on-site or off-site well or shared water system serving the parcel that meets the applicable water well requirements of the County Environmental Health Services.
2. 
Sewage Disposal. The parcel is served by a public sewer system and a letter of available service can be obtained from the appropriate public sewer district. A parcel to be served by a private sewage disposal (septic) system shall meet all applicable City requirements for permitting and installation, including percolation tests, as determined by the City Health Officer.
3. 
Access. The parcel is currently served by an existing private road meeting applicable fire roadway standards that connects to a public road or right-of-way easement, or can establish legal access to a public road or right-of-way easement meeting applicable fire roadway standards.
4. 
Slope Stability. Development of the parcel including infrastructure avoids slopes of 30% and greater.
5. 
Agriculture Viability. Development of the parcel shall not threaten or impair agricultural viability on productive agriculture lands within or adjacent to the property.
6. 
Environmentally Sensitive Habitat. Development of the parcel avoids or minimizes impacts where appropriate to environmentally sensitive habitat and buffer areas, and riparian corridor and buffer areas.
7. 
Hazards. Development of the parcel shall not result in a hazard to life and property. Potential hazards include, but are not limited to flood, geologic and fire.
8. 
Consistency with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance. Development of the parcel is consistent with the setback, lot coverage and parking requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and consistent with the General Plan and the public health, safety and welfare of the community. To provide notification to existing and subsequent property owners when a finding is made that the parcel(s) is deemed not to be residentially developable, a statement of this finding shall be recorded concurrently with the deed of the parcel.
9. 
The lot line adjustment will not increase any violation of parcel width setback, lot coverage, parking or other similar requirement of the applicable zone district or make an existing violation more onerous.
10. 
The subject properties are in compliance with all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to zoning uses, setbacks and any other applicable provisions of this chapter or the lot line adjustment has been conditioned to require compliance with such rules and regulations and such zoning violation fees imposed pursuant to applicable law have been paid. This finding shall not be interpreted to impose new requirements on legal nonconforming uses and structures under other ordinances.
11. 
Conditions have been imposed to facilitate the relocation of existing utilities, infrastructure and easements.
D. 
A lot line adjustment proposed on agricultural zoned parcels which are under agricultural preserve contract pursuant to the County Agricultural Preserve Program Uniform Rules shall only be approved provided the following findings are made:
1. 
The lot line adjustment shall comply with all the findings for lot line adjustments in subsection A of this section.
2. 
The new contract or contracts would enforceably restrict the adjusted boundaries of the parcel for an initial term for at least as long as the unexpired term of the rescinded contract or contracts, but for not less than 10 years.
3. 
There is no net decrease in the amount of the acreage restricted. In cases where two parcels involved in a lot line adjustment are both subject to contracts rescinded pursuant to this section, this finding will be satisfied if the aggregate acreage of the land restricted by the new contracts is at least as great as the aggregate acreage restricted by the rescinded contracts.
4. 
At least 90% of the land under the former contract or contracts remains under the new contract or contracts.
5. 
After the lot line adjustment, the parcels of land subject to contract will be large enough to sustain their agricultural use.
6. 
The lot line adjustment would not compromise the long-term agricultural productivity of the parcel or other agricultural lands subject to a contract or contracts.
7. 
The lot line adjustment is not likely to result in the removal of adjacent land from agricultural use.
8. 
The lot line adjustment does not result in a greater number of developable parcels than existed prior to the adjustment, or an adjusted lot that is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)
Hearings before the decision-maker and, upon appeal, before the City Council shall be noticed pursuant to California Government Code Sections 65090 through 65096 and as provided in Article I, Division 10, Section 21-71.3 (Public Hearing Notice). The action of the decision-maker shall be final subject to an appeal to the City Council as provided in Article I, Division 10, Section 21-71.4 (Appeals).
(Ord. 02-01 § 1)