The purpose of this section is to allow and appropriately regulate urban lot splits in accordance with Government Code Section 66411.7. This chapter only applies to projects under Government Code Section 66411.7.
(Ord. 22-02 § 7; Ord. 25-10, 12/2/2025)
Pursuant solely to this chapter, the following definitions apply:
A. 
Director.
The Director of the Planning and Environmental Review Department.
B. 
Urban Lot Split.
The subdivision of an existing, legally subdivided lot into two lots in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 22-02 § 7; Ord. 25-10, 12/2/2025)
The following apply to urban lot split applications:
A. 
The applicant must submit an application for a tentative parcel map in compliance with Section 16.02.010.
B. 
An application for an urban lot split must be submitted on the City's approved form. Only a complete application will be considered. The City will inform the applicant in writing of any incompleteness within 30 days after the application is submitted.
C. 
The applicant must agree, as part of the application, to hold the City harmless from all claims and damages related to the approval of a subdivision under this chapter and its subject matter and reimburse the City for all costs of enforcement, including attorneys' fees and costs associated with enforcing the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 22-02 § 7; Ord. 25-10, 12/2/2025)
A. 
Tentative Parcel Map.
1. 
Decision-Maker. The tentative parcel map shall be approved or denied ministerially, by the Director, without discretionary review. If approved, the tentative parcel map shall not be recorded.
2. 
Findings Required. The Director must make the following findings to approve a tentative parcel map for an urban lot split:
a. 
The urban lot split conforms to all applicable objective requirements of the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Section 66410 et seq.), including implementing requirements in this title and chapter, except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter.
b. 
In concurrence with the Building Official, the urban lot split would not have a specific, adverse impact, as defined in California Government Code Section 65589.5(d)(2), on public health and safety or, if there is such an impact, there is a feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact.
3. 
Finding for Denial. If the Director fails to make the finding in subsection A.2.b above, the denial shall include a finding from the Building Official that, based on a preponderance of the evidence, there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact and the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact.
B. 
Final Map. Approval of a Final Parcel Map shall be processed consistent with Chapter 16.02.
C. 
Timing. An application under this Chapter shall be considered and approved or denied within 60 days from the date the City receives a completed application. If the City has not approved or denied the completed application within 60 days, the application shall be deemed approved.
D. 
Denial Comments. If the City denies an application for an urban lot split pursuant to subsection A.3 above, the City shall, within 60 days of receipt of the completed application, return in writing a full set of comments to the applicant with a list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the application can be remedied by the applicant.
(Ord. 22-02 § 7; Ord. 25-10, 12/2/2025)
An urban lot split must satisfy each of the following requirements:
A. 
Off-Site Improvements. Notwithstanding Government Code Section 66411.1, no dedication of rights-of-way or construction of off-site improvements is required.
B. 
Zone. The lot to be split is in the RS Zone District.
C. 
Lot Characteristics. The parcel being subdivided satisfies the requirements of Government Code Section 66411.7(a)(3)(C) (referencing Government Code Sections 65913.4(a)(6)(B through (K) as that section read on September 16, 2021).
D. 
Historic Resources. The lot to be split must not be proposed within either:
1. 
A historic district or property that is included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, or
2. 
Within a site that is designated by the City as a historic resource pursuant to Chapter 17.33.
E. 
No Prior Urban Lot Split.
1. 
The lot to be split was not established through a prior urban lot split.
2. 
The lot to be split is not adjacent to any lot that was established through a prior urban lot split by the owner of the lot to be split or by any person acting in concert with the owner.
F. 
No Impact on Protected Housing. The urban lot split must not require or include the demolition or alteration of any of the following types of housing:
1. 
Housing that is income-restricted by recorded covenant, ordinance or law at levels affordable to households of moderate, low, or very low income.
2. 
Housing that is subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity's valid exercise of its police power.
3. 
A parcel or parcels on which an owner of residential real property has exercised the owner's rights under Chapter 12.75 (commencing with Government Code Section 7060) of Division 7 of Title 1 to withdraw accommodations from rent or lease within 15 years before the date that the development proponent submits an application.
4. 
Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last three years.
G. 
Lot Size.
1. 
The newly created parcels must be no smaller than 1,200 square feet.
2. 
Each of the resulting lots must be between 60% and 40% of the original lot area.
H. 
Easements.
1. 
The owner must enter into an easement agreement with each public-service provider, as needed, to establish easements for the provision of public services and facilities to each of the resulting lots. On-site wastewater treatment systems are not allowed.
2. 
Each easement must be shown on the tentative parcel map.
3. 
Copies of the unrecorded easement agreements must be submitted with the application. The easement agreements must be recorded against the property before the final map will be approved.
I. 
Lot Access. Each resulting lot must have access to, provide access to, or adjoin the public right-of-way.
1. 
Parking Access. Lots not adjoining the public right-of-way have parking access, where parking is required pursuant to Goleta Municipal Code Section 17.07.040C.9.g.
J. 
Nonconforming Conditions. Nonconforming zoning conditions need not be corrected prior to or as a condition of approval of an urban lot split.
K. 
Nonresidential Use Prohibition. No nonresidential use is permitted on any lot created by urban lot split.
L. 
Owner Occupancy. The applicant for an urban lot split must sign an affidavit stating that the applicant intends to occupy one of the dwelling units on one of the resulting lots as the applicant's principal residence for a minimum of three years after the urban lot split is approved unless the applicant is a community land trust (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 402.1(a)(11)(C)(ii) or a qualified nonprofit corporation (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 214.15).
M. 
Deed Restriction. The owner must record a deed restriction, on a form provided by the City, that does each of the following:
1. 
Expressly prohibits any rental of any dwelling on the property for a period of less than 30 days.
2. 
Expressly prohibits any nonresidential use of the lots created by the urban lot split.
3. 
Expressly prohibits further subdivision of either of the resulting lots using the urban lot split procedures provided in this Chapter.
(Ord. 22-02 § 7; Ord. 25-10, 12/2/2025)