Land Development Engineering Projects

California's Subdivision Map Act and local ordinance determines the process for legally dividing land and creating parcels.  In most cases, a division that results in four or fewer parcels is accomplished through a Parcel Map.

Mandatory Items

Upload the following documents:

• Engineering Standard Application PDF
• A copy of the Parcel Map
• Current Title Report (Less than three (3) months old)
• Copy of all deeds and easements referenced to the map
• Closure Calculations
• Conditions of Approval
• Dedications – if applicable (Fees Due upon submittal)
  • Current Deed of Parcel
  • Legal Description
  • Plat
• Fees to be paid (Additional LS fees will be paid prior to recording)
  • Parcel Map Check Fee
  • GIS Subdivision Mapping Fee
  • As-Built Process Fee

Due Prior to Map Recordation

• Cash Monument Deposit
• Survey Monument Letter (in lieu of Cash Monument Deposit)
• Map Recordation Fee Check (made out to Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder)

A lot-line adjustment is required to move a property line between two or more existing adjacent lots or parcels without creating a new lot. 

Example:  A lot-line adjustment may be used whenever minor adjustments are needed to a given lot or lots. For example, if 1 property owner wishes to purchase a portion of an adjoining lot, a lot-line adjustment can be used to move the property line to the new location, increasing the size of one parcel, and decreasing the size of the other. The overall number of parcels may be reduced by a lot-line adjustment, however no new parcels may be created. 

Process Overview

Upload the following documents:

• Engineering Standard Application PDF
• 8.5" x 11" detailed drawing of properties involved; drawing to reflect existing and proposed detail
• Legal Property Descriptions: existing and proposing lot-line adjustment
• Proposed Grant Deed(s) to be recorded
• Payment for Lot-Line Adjustment Fee

Once the application has been determined to be complete, most projects will take 30-45 business days to process.

Project Review

All application packets must be received by a Development Services Technician to determine if all submittal criteria have been met. A staff member will be assigned to work with the applicant(s); the application will be reviewed for completeness and referred to pertinent agencies to determine zoning compliance.

Project Approval

If the resulting lots conform to the City’s zoning regulations, and if no problems are found with the agreement or property descriptions, the lot-line adjustment will be approved by Planning Divisions staff; however, documents cannot be recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder until the appeal period has passed.

Appeal

Once the Lot Line Adjustment has been approved and signed, there is a 15-day appeal period in which parties may challenge staff’s decision.

Final Action

After the required 15-day appeal period, the Secretary of the Planning Commission signs the Certificate of Approval. The City will record the Certificate of Approval with the County Clerk-Recorder.

• Clerk-Recorder Fee (due at time of recordation)

Note:  Approval of the lot-line adjustment does not in itself transfer the title of the land.  A separate deed will have to be recorded by the property owners to effect the actual transfer of title.

General Requirements:

1. SITE Project Submittal Application - must be typed or printed and filled in completely.
   1. If the applicant is not the property owner, the property owner shall designate the applicant as the authorized agent to act on his or her behalf and both shall sign the application.
2. Proposed Grant Deeds to be recorded concurrently with lot line adjustment approval.
3. Four (4) copies of the legal descriptions of the existing parcels and the proposed parcels, as they will exist after the Adjustment is recorded.  Legal descriptions must be prepared by a Professional Land Surveyor or a Registered Civil Engineer with a Registration Number of RCE 33965 or lower and be accompanied by plot maps prepared by same.  Plot maps shall show the following:
   1. Sheet size:  8 ½” X 11”.
   2. Label all boundary and lot lines, including distances, within proposed lot line adjustment.
   3. Current property owner(s).
   4. Name and location of existing public rights of way adjacent to and within the project boundary.
   5. All structures, including those that are existing, proposed, or to be removed; existing and proposed parking spaces and driveways; all existing easements, including utility easements; existing utility lines, access ways and parking agreements.  Dimensions of the above to property lines before and after the Lot-Line Adjustment shall be delineated on the plot map.
   6. Legend for all symbols not otherwise labeled on the map.
   7. All maps are to be drawn to scale, including a north arrow and scale on each map sheet.  The maps shall identify the subject properties and include a vicinity map.
4. Title report or deed with legal description for subject property, dated within 3 months of application submittal.
5. All record information is used in preparation of the legal descriptions, including documents, maps and drawings as identified in the plat or legal description.
6. Traverse calculations, showing the mathematical closure of the boundary and revised lots/parcels of the lot line adjustment, to two decimal places.
7. If origin of existing lots is unknown (i.e., the lots were not created by a recorded map), a Certificate of Compliance will be required.
8. Applicable filing fee(s) (see adopted fee schedule) and Recording Fee.

 FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Staff may deem additional submittal information necessary to adequately analyze the project. Completion of the application does not presume approval of the application.  

All entitlement decisions are final unless appealed within fifteen (15) days of the date on which the decision is made.  Appeals to staff decisions shall be in writing and filed with the Community and Economic Development Department. The appeal must set forth the specific reasons for the appeal. All applicable fees must accompany appeals. Building permits, Certificates of Occupancy, or licenses will not be issued until the appeal period has elapsed. If the entitlement decision is appealed, building permits, certificates of occupancy, or licenses will not be issued until the final decision has been made on the appeal or the appeal is withdrawn.