This chapter establishes requirements for the preparation, filing, processing, approval, conditional approval, denial, and expiration of tentative and vesting tentative maps, consistent with the Map Act.
Subdivision of Unincorporated Territory. A subdivider may file with the city a tentative map of a proposed subdivision of unincorporated territory adjacent to the city in compliance with Government Code Section 66454.
Application and fees shall be filed with the department in accordance with the provisions of BMC § 16.04.070 (Application filing) and 16.04.080 (Fees).
Submission of a tentative map shall not constitute filing with the city until all required plans, statements, forms and clearances, and a completed application with appropriate fees are deposited with the department.
Failure to submit all materials and statements required by this section, and the application and fee requirements of BMC § 16.04.070 (Application filing) and 16.04.080 (Fees), shall constitute grounds for rejection of the application. Applications may be deemed incomplete by the city instead of being rejected.
Included with the application shall be a signed statement indicating whether the project site is located on a site included on any of the local lists prepared by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in compliance with Government Code Sections 65962.5(d) and 65962.5(f).
The tentative map shall be prepared in a manner acceptable to the department in accordance with the applicable adopted submittal checklist and/or standards and shall be prepared, signed and sealed by a licensed land surveyor.
A vicinity map showing streets, adjoining subdivisions, shopping centers, schools, and other data sufficient to locate the proposed subdivision and show its relation to the community;
Existing topography of the proposed site and at least 50 feet beyond its boundary and 100 feet along the fronting right-of-way or alley, and proposed changes in topography;
The contours of the land shall be shown at intervals of not more than one foot for ground slopes between level and five percent, and not more than five feet for ground slopes in excess of five percent;
Type, circumference, and dripline of all existing trees; other significant vegetation with a trunk diameter of four inches or more, measured 48 inches above existing grade. Any trees or other significant vegetation proposed to be removed shall be so indicated;
Existing culverts, drainage channels, irrigation ditches, springs, and wells, and the approximate location of all areas subject to inundation or storm water overflow, and the location, width, and direction of flow of each watercourse;
The location, pavement and right-of-way width, typical section, grade and name of existing streets, highways, and driveways within and/or contiguous to the proposed subdivision;
Engineering plan and data showing the finished grading of each parcel, the preliminary design of all grading, the elevation of proposed building pads, and the top and toe of all cut and fill slopes, to scale;
The location and size of fire hydrants, sanitary sewers, storm drains, and water mains, including all necessary provisions for handling sewage, storm water, and water supply. Proposed slopes, approximate elevation, direction of flow, and type of facilities for sanitary sewers, storm drains, and overland drainage releases shall be indicated; and
The name(s) and license number of any engineering geologist or soil engineer whose services were required in the preparation of the design of the tentative map;
The boundaries of areas subject to inundation or storm water overflows, and the location, width, and direction of flow of all watercourses including watercourses shown on maps prepared and maintained federal and state agencies (e.g., stream maps prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey, flood insurance rate maps of the Federal Emergency Management Agency); and
Energy Conservation Information. The design of a subdivision for which a tentative map is required, excluding a conversion, shall provide, to the maximum extent feasible, for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities in the subdivision. (Government Code Section 66473.1)
The director may waive any of the above tentative map requirements if the type of subdivision does not need to comply with such requirements or if other circumstances justify a waiver.
The director may require other data, drawings, or information as deemed necessary by the director to accomplish the purposes and adhere to the requirements of the Map Act and this municipal code.
A preliminary title report, not more than 90 days old and acceptable to the director, showing the legal owner(s) at the time of filing the tentative map;
Information required by the department to allow a determination on environmental review to be made in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
A signed statement of compliance under Government Code Section 65962.5(f) indicating whether the proposed project is located on a hazardous waste and substance site as defined in that section. See subsection (F)(4) of this section (Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement) (Government Code Section 65940);
For a vesting tentative map, the subdivider shall also submit all of the following information, unless a requirement is waived by the director after consultation with the city engineer (Government Code Section 66498.8):
Written verification of water availability from the public water system, when required for a subdivision of 500 or more dwelling units pursuant to Government Code Section 66473.7.
A preliminary geotechnical engineering report, prepared by a geotechnical engineer, based upon adequate test borings or excavations, shall be submitted with each application for a tentative map.
The report shall include any information appropriate for the site, including any information required by the city engineer in compliance with subsection (F)(3) of this section (Expanded Investigation). (Government Code Sections 66490, 66491, Business and Professions Code Section 6736.1)
A preliminary engineering geology report, prepared by a California licensed engineering geologist, shall be submitted with each application for a tentative map, unless waived by the city engineer.
The report shall include any information appropriate for the site, including any information required by the city engineer. (Government Code Sections 66490, 66491)
Expanded Investigation. If the preliminary soil report or the preliminary engineering geology report indicates, or the city engineer has knowledge of, the presence of soil or geologic conditions which, if corrective measures are not taken, could lead to structural defects, then a soil or engineering geology investigation of each proposed parcel shall be submitted with the final map. (Government Code Sections 66490, 66491)
Under Government Code Section 65962.5, the California Secretary for Environmental Protection is required to consolidate information regarding land where certain hazardous wastes or contaminants are present, and to distribute a list to each city and county in which sites on the list are located.
An applicant for any development project shall consult the list sent to the city and submit a signed statement to the city indicating whether the project and any alternatives are located on the list. (Government Code Section 65940)
Completeness. The director, in consultation with the city engineer, shall within 30 days after filing of the application determine whether the application is complete in compliance with the requirements of this title and the state Permit Streamlining Act. (Government Code Sections 65943, 66452)
Consistency. The subdivider shall make corrections and additions until the application is complete and demonstrates compliance with the requirements of this title, the general plan, any applicable specific plan, the provisions of this municipal code and applicable objective planning and design standards and standard engineering specifications.
Review by Affected Agencies. Within five days after the application is filed, the department shall forward copies of the tentative map to the affected public agencies which may provide comment in accordance with this section. (Government Code Sections 66453, 66455, 66455.1, 66455.7)
A local agency with service boundaries located within three miles of a proposed subdivision may make recommendations to the city regarding a tentative map if it does so within 15 days after the notice and map are mailed by the city.
A local agency which desires to make recommendations shall file with the city a written request and map indicating the territory in which it wishes to make recommendations. (Government Code Sections 66453, 66455.1)
California Department of Transportation. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) may make recommendations regarding a tentative map if the proposed subdivision is located within one mile of a state highway and if the recommendations are submitted to the city within 15 days after the notice and map are mailed by the city. (Government Code Sections 66413.7, 66455)
School Districts. Within five days after the application for a tentative map is accepted as complete, the department shall send a notice of the filing to the governing board of any affected school district.
Within 15 working days after the notice is mailed, the board may submit to the city a report and recommendation regarding the proposed subdivision and its impact on the school district.
Failure of the school district to respond within the 15-working-day period is considered a recommendation for approval. (Government Code Section 66455.7)
The notice shall include the identification of an existing or proposed runway within a distance specified by Education Code Section 17215. (Government Code Section 66455.9)
Water Supplier. Within five days after a tentative map application is accepted as complete, the department shall send a copy of the application to the public water system. (Government Code Section 66455.3)
Public Hearings. Following application evaluation and upon a determination that the application is complete, the review authority shall hold a public hearing on the tentative map. Notice of the public hearing shall be given in accordance with BMC § 16.08.040 (Public hearing notice).
Staff Reports. The department shall provide a report of recommendation on a tentative map to the review authority. Copies of the report shall be provided to the subdivider and to each tenant in the case of a proposed condominium, community apartment project, or stock cooperative, at least three days before any hearing or action. (Government Code Section 66452.3)
Continued Hearings. A public hearing may be continued from time to time and, if continued to a specific date, time and place, no new notice is required. (Government Code Section 65095)
Request for Modification. If a subdivider requests a change in a condition of approval either before or after a final map is filed, notice of the appeal or request shall heard by the appropriate review authority and notice be given in compliance with BMC § 16.08.040. (Public hearing notice)
Findings Required. In order to approve a tentative map and conditions of approval, or to deny a tentative map, the review authority, as designated in BMC § 16.08.030 (Responsibilities and review authority), shall first make the findings specified in subsection (C) of this section (Review Authority Determination).
The review authority shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny the tentative map in compliance with Government Code Sections 66451 and 66452. (Government Code Sections 66452.1(a), (c), 66452.2)
The time periods specified in Government Code Sections 66451 and 66452 begin after certification of the environmental impact report, adoption of a negative declaration or mitigated negative declaration, or a determination that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Government Code Section 66452.1(c))
If no action is taken within the time periods specified in Government Code Sections 66451 and 66452, or an extension has not been mutually approved, the tentative map is deemed approved insofar as it complies with the general plan, any applicable specific plan, this municipal code, objective planning and design standards, standard engineering specifications and the Map Act. (Government Code Section 66452.4)
The proposed map is consistent with the general plan and any applicable specific plan, any policy or guideline implementing the general plan, or other applicable provisions of this code;
The design of the subdivision or the proposed improvements will not cause substantial environmental damage or substantially and avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the review authority may approve a tentative map if an environmental impact report was prepared with respect to the project and a statement of overriding considerations was made to the effect that specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the environmental impact report;
The design of the subdivision or the type of improvements will not conflict with easements, acquired by the public at large, for access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision. The review authority may approve a tentative map if it finds that alternative easements for access will be provided, and that these will be substantially equivalent to ones previously acquired by the public. This subsection shall apply only to easements of record or to easements established by judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, and no authority is hereby granted to the commission to determine that the public at large has acquired easements for access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision; and
Any proposed phases and their proposed sequence of construction are identified on the filed tentative map. The city may impose reasonable conditions relating to the filing of multiple final maps in conjunction with the approval of the tentative map. (Government Code Section 66456.1)
The review authority may modify or delete a condition of approval recommended in the department's report, except a condition required by this municipal code. The review authority may add additional requirements as a condition of its approval. (Government Code Section 66474.10)
If the subdivision proposes 500 dwelling units or more and is not within an urbanized area previously developed for urban uses and is not a housing project exclusively for very low- and low-income households, the review authority shall include as a condition the requirement that a sufficient water supply shall be available, as required by Government Code Section 66473.7.
The review authority may require that the subdivider defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the city, its agents, officers, and employees from any action, claim, or proceedings against the city to attack the approval of a subdivision in compliance with Government Code Section 66474.9.
In determining whether to approve or deny a tentative map application, the city shall apply only those ordinances, policies, and standards in effect at the time the application was accepted as complete.
The city had formally initiated proceedings to amend the general plan or specific plan, or this municipal code, and published notice of the proposed change before the application was accepted as complete. (Government Code Section 66474.2)
Form of Approved Tentative Map. Within 90 days after approval of the tentative map, the subdivider shall submit a revised map to the department that conforms to any changes required by the conditions of approval.
Dedications and Improvements. Along with the approval of a tentative map, the review authority may adopt any conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this municipal code; provided, that all conditions shall be consistent with the requirements of the Map Act.
Conditions Modifying Subdivision Design – Time for Compliance. When modifications in design require a change in the conditions of approval, the subdivider shall, at least 30 days prior to filing a final map, submit the tentative map as modified to the department for review for confirmation by the director and city engineer.
(Ord. 25-01 § 1)
The approval of a tentative map shall become effective for the purposes of filing a final map, including compliance with the conditions of approval, on the tenth working day following the date of decision by the review authority, if no appeal is filed in accordance with BMC § 16.08.080 (Appeals).
Effect of Approval on Prior Approvals. The approval or conditional approval by the review authority of any revised or new tentative map shall annul all previous subdivision designs and approvals for the same site.
Compliance With Conditions, Improvement Plans. After approval of a tentative map in compliance with this chapter, the subdivider shall proceed to fulfill the conditions of approval within any time limits specified by the conditions and the expiration of the map and, where applicable, shall prepare, file, and receive approval of improvement plans in compliance with Chapter 16.12 BMC (Design and Improvement Standards) before constructing any improvements.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures necessary for the implementation of the provisions of the Map Act relating to vesting tentative maps.
General. Whenever a provision of the Map Act or this chapter requires the filing of a tentative map or tentative parcel map, a vesting tentative map may instead be filed. (Government Code Sections 66452, 66498.1 – 66498.9)
A vesting tentative map shall be filed in the same form and have the same contents, accompanying data and reports and shall be processed in the same manner as is required of tentative maps in compliance with this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this section.
Detailed circulation information (existing and proposed). This information may include area-wide traffic data sufficient for the city to determine future circulation needs;
Detailed vehicle miles traveled (VMT) information (existing and proposed). This information may include region-wide traffic and jobs data sufficient for the city to determine future VMT impacts;
The director may require the filing and concurrent review of other related development applications where it is necessary for the review and implementation of the vesting tentative map.
The approval or conditional approval of a vesting tentative map shall expire at the end of the same time period, and shall be subject to the same extensions, established by the Map Act and/or this chapter for the expiration of approved or conditionally approved tentative maps.
The approval or conditional approval of a vesting tentative map shall confer a vested right to proceed with development in compliance with Government Code Section 66474.2.
However, if Government Code Section 66474.2 is repealed, the approval or conditional approval of a vesting tentative map shall be deemed to have conferred a vested right to proceed with development in substantial compliance with the ordinances, policies, and standards in effect at the time the vesting tentative map was approved or conditionally approved.
The review authority may alter any condition(s) of a vesting tentative map through an amendment in compliance with BMC § 16.24.100 (Amendments) in order to protect against conditions dangerous to public health and safety or to comply with state or federal law.
Final map shall be approved before expiration of the vesting tentative map. The vested rights referred to in this section shall expire if a final map is not approved before the expiration of the vesting tentative map, as provided in the Map Act. (Government Code Sections 66498.1(d), 66463.5(g))
Period for Vesting Rights. If the final map is approved, the vested rights shall last for the following periods of time (Government Code Section 66498.5(b)):
If a project covered by a single vesting tentative map that has not expired is divided into phases and more than one final map is recorded, the 12-month period begins for each phase when the final map for that phase is recorded prior to expiration of the overall tentative map.
If the subdivider submits a complete application for a building permit during the 12-month period specified in subsection (E)(2) of this section (Period for Vesting Rights), the vesting rights of the vesting tentative map continue until the building permit expires. (Government Code Section 66498.5(d))
If a final map is recorded based upon a vesting tentative map, and the development rights expire, the final map remains in effect without the development rights.
If the city does not complete processing of an application for a grading permit or for design or architectural review within 30 days of the date such application is complete, the 12-month period specified in subsection (E)(2) of this section (Period for Vesting Rights) is automatically extended by the time exceeding the 30-day period used by the city to complete processing. (Government Code Section 66498.5(c))
Before the expiration of the 12-month period specified in subsection (E)(2) of this section (Period for Vesting Rights), a subdivider may apply to the city for an extension in compliance with BMC § 16.24.090 (Tentative map time limits, expirations and extensions). (Government Code Section 66463.5(g))
The failure to do so would place the residents of the subdivision or the community in a condition dangerous to their health or safety or both, as determined by the city engineer or building official; or
Authority. The time limits specified in this title and the Map Act for reporting and acting on maps may be extended by mutual consent of the subdivider and the city.
Waiver of Time Limits. The city may not require a routine waiver of time limits except as necessary to permit concurrent processing of related approvals or an environmental impact report on the same project. (Government Code Section 66451.1)
The approval or conditional approval of a tentative map expires 24 months after its date of approval, except when extended by state law or as set forth in this section.
The expiration of the map terminates all proceedings, and no final map may be filed without first processing a new tentative map. (Government Code Sections 66452.6(a), (d), 66463.5)
If the developer is subject to a public improvement requirement or requirements that meet the threshold of Government Code Section 66452.6(a)(1), then the map may be extended in accordance with the requirements of Section 66452.6.
Each filing of a phased final map extends the expiration of the tentative map by 48 months, not to exceed a total of 10 years. (Government Code Section 66452.6(a)(1))
For purposes of this section "filing" of a final map is the date of the council meeting at which the council receives the map. (Government Code Section 66457)
Development Moratorium. The period of time specified in subsection (B)(1)(a) of this section shall not include any period of time during which a development moratorium, defined by the Map Act, is in existence for up to five years. (Government Code Sections 66452.6(b), (f))
If a lawsuit has been filed and is pending in a court of competent jurisdiction affecting the validity of the approval or conditional approval of a tentative map, the subdivider may apply to the city within 10 days of the service of the initial petition or complaint upon the city for a stay of the time in which the map will expire. (Government Code Section 66452.6(c))
Within 40 days after receiving the request, the director may stay the map's expiration date until final conclusion of the action, if the director determines that the action affects the validity of the tentative map approval.
A tentative map remains valid during the period that the review of improvement plans by the city is underway, and the subdivider is actively pursuing approval of a final map.
In addition, if the city engineer determines at any time during the review of improvement plans that the subdivider is not actively pursuing the approval of the final map, as evidenced by subdivider's failure to adhere to time deadlines as specified in guidelines promulgated by the city engineer, the privileges granted by this subsection will end and the map will expire; provided, the expiration date of the tentative map has passed. (Government Code Section 66452.6(d))
An extension request shall be in writing and shall be filed with the development services department not less than 45 days before the date of expiration of the approval or previous extension, together with the required filing fee in compliance with the adopted fee schedule.
There have been no changes to the provisions of the general plan, any applicable specific plan, or this municipal code applicable to the project since the approval of the parcel map or tentative map;
There have been no changes in the character of the site or its surroundings that affect how the policies of the general plan, any applicable specific plan, or other standards of this municipal code apply to the project; and
There have been no changes to the capacities of community resources, including but not limited to roads, sewage treatment or disposal facilities, schools, or water supply, so that there is no longer sufficient remaining capacity to serve the project.
The planning commission may grant additional extensions to the initial time limit, only after first making the findings specified in subsection (D) of this section (Initial Extension).
Minor Changes to Approved Tentative Maps. A subdivider may request minor changes or amendments to an approved tentative map or its conditions of approval before recordation of a final map in compliance with this section.
Minor Changes Defined. Minor changes or amendments to a tentative map that may be requested by a subdivider in compliance with this section include minor adjustments to the location of proposed parcel lines and improvements, and reductions in the number of approved parcels (but no increase in the number of approved parcels), and any changes to the conditions of approval, consistent with the findings required by subsection (F) of this section (Required Findings for Approval).
Changes Other Than Minor Changes. All proposed changes or amendments not covered by subsection (A) (Minor Changes to Approved Tentative Maps) or (B) (Minor Changes Defined) of this section shall require the filing and processing of a tentative map in compliance with this chapter.
Application for Changes. The subdivider shall file an application and filing fee, in accordance with the provisions of BMC § 16.04.070 (Application filing) and 16.04.080 (Fees), together with the following additional information:
A statement identifying the tentative map number, the features of the map or particular conditions to be changed and the changes requested, the reasons why the changes are requested, and any facts that justify the changes; and
Processing of Application. Proposed changes to a tentative map or conditions of approval shall be processed using the same procedures as the original tentative map, except as otherwise provided by this section.
Required Findings for Approval. The director may approve changes or amendments to an approved tentative map or its conditions of approval if the director first finds all of the following to be true, and that all of the applicable findings for approval required by BMC § 16.24.040(C)(4) (Findings for Approval) can still be made:
Proposed public improvements for the subdivision have not been substantially altered, or improvements have been substantially improved by the proposed alteration of the tentative map;
Effect of Changes on Time Limits. Approved changes to a tentative map or conditions of approval shall not be considered as approval of a new tentative map and shall not extend the time limits provided by BMC § 16.24.090 (Tentative map time limits, expirations and extensions), nor extend any right(s) in compliance with a vesting tentative map.
Certification of Amendments. Minor changes or amendments shall be indicated on the approved amended tentative map and certified by the director and city engineer.