Article 5 — Final Maps and Parcel Maps

Within two years after the approval or conditional approval of a tentative map, the subdivider shall cause the proposed division of land to be accurately surveyed and a final map prepared and filed for approval with the City Council. The time limit for such filing may be extended by the Council for a period or periods not exceeding a total of three years. (Ord. 230, § 401; Ord. 527, § 5)

Except as otherwise provided in Section 9-1.503 of this article, parcel maps shall be required for all subdivisions for which a final map is not required by the Subdivision Map Act. Within two years after the approval or conditional approval of a tentative parcel map, the subdivider shall cause the proposed division of land to be accurately surveyed and a final parcel map prepared and filed for approval by the City Council. Such survey may be waived if the City Engineer determines that data is available as to the sufficiency of the survey information relative to the locating and retracement of the exterior boundary lines of the parcel map. The time limit for such filing may be extended by the Council for a period or periods not exceeding a total of three years. (Ord. 230, §§ 400, 402; Ord. 527, § 6)

Parcel maps may be waived for any proposed subdivision entirely within a Single-Family Residential (R-1) Zone, and so designated in the General Plan, provided the Council shall find that such proposed subdivision of land complies with all of the requirements of Division 2 of the Subdivision Map Act, and other laws enacted pursuant thereto, relating to area, improvement and design, flood water drainage control, appropriate improved public roads, sanitary disposal facilities, water supply availability, and environmental protection.

(Ord. 230, § 400)

Final maps or parcel maps shall conform with the approved tentative maps and with the requirements and conditions contained on reports approving the tentative maps. No final map or parcel map shall be accepted by the City Engineer unless a tentative map has been approved by the Council.

(Ord. 230, § 403)

• (a) Final maps and parcel maps shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act and the provisions of this article.

• (b) Final maps and parcel maps shall be prepared by, or under the direction of, a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor.

• (c) The division of parcels which are not abutting shall be shown on separate maps, unless such parcels are separated because of the interposition of a highway, street, alley, railroad, public utility, or flood control right-of-way.

• (Ord. 230, § 414)

• (a) The title sheet of each map shall contain a title, consisting of the words "Tract No." and the map number for final maps, or the words "Parcel Map No." and the map number for parcel maps. The title shall also contain the words "In the City of Artesia" or "partly in the City of Artesia and partly in (inserting the name of the political division involved)."

• (b) The title sheet shall also contain a subtitle consisting of a description of all the property being divided by reference to maps previously filed or recorded in the office of the County Recorder or previously filed with the County Clerk pursuant to a final judgment in any action in partition or by reference to the plat of a United States survey. The subtitle on the title sheet of each map filed for the purpose of reverting subdivided land to acreage shall consist of the words "Being a Reversion to Acreage of (inserting a legal description of the land being reverted)." Each reference to such subtitles shall be spelled out and worded identically to the original record thereof. A complete reference to the book and page of the cited record shall be included.

• (c) The title sheet of parcel maps shall contain the certificate of the surveyor or engineer referred to in Section 66449 of the Government Code of the State. The title sheet of final maps shall contain the certificate of the surveyor or engineer referred to in Section 66441 of the Government Code of the State. The title sheet or at least one map sheet shall contain the basis of the bearings, making reference to a filed tract map, County Surveyor's map, or other record acceptable to the City Engineer, where the map is based upon a field survey.

• (d) The required certificates, affidavits, and acknowledgements may be legibly stamped or printed on the title sheet of a final or parcel map with opaque ink. All required signatures shall be written with opaque ink. All such entries shall be readily reproducible by any normal method of reproduction.

• (Ord. 230, § 415)

Each map sheet of final maps and parcel maps shall conform to the following format:

• (a) Each map sheet and the lettering thereon shall be oriented so that, with the north point directed away from the reader, the map may be read most conveniently from the lower right-hand corner of the sheet.

• (b) Each map sheet shall bear the main title of the map, the scale, the north point, the sheet number, and the designation of the relation, if any, between the sheet and each other sheet comprising the final map or parcel map.

• (Ord. 230, § 416)

If the Council approves a variance pursuant to the provisions of Section 9-1.415 of Article 4 of this chapter because a division of land is for lease only, there shall appear on the final map or parcel map of the division, in letters not less than 1/4 inch in height, the words "Division of Land for Lease Only."

• (Ord. 230, § 417)

• (a) All lots shown on final maps and parcel maps shall be numbered. The lot numbers shall begin with the numeral "1" and continue consecutively without omission or duplication throughout the entire map. No prefix, suffix, or combination of letters and numbers shall be used. Each lot shall be shown entirely on one sheet.

• (b) The acreage of the lot to the nearest one-hundredth of an acre shall be designated on each lot containing an area of 3/4 of an acre or more.

• (Ord. 230, § 418)

• (a) The bearing and length of each lot, block, and boundary line shall be shown on final maps and parcel maps; provided, however, where the bearings and lengths of the lot lines in a series of lots are the same, the bearings or lengths may be omitted from each interior parallel lot line of the series. Each required bearing or length shall be shown in full, and no ditto mark or other designation of repetition shall be used.

• (b) The length, radius, and total central angle or bearings of terminal radii of each curve, and the bearing of each radial line to each lot corner on each curve, or the central angle of each segment within each lot, shall be shown.

• (Ord. 230, § 419)

• (a) Final maps and parcel maps shall show the center line, the total width, and the width on each side of the center line of each street, highway, alley, or other way appearing on the map. The bearing and length of each tangent and the radius, central angle, and length of each curve shall be shown on each center line.

• (b) Final maps shall also show the width of right-of-way to be dedicated on the map when only a portion of a street, highway, alley, or way is within the map boundary.

• (Ord. 230, § 420)

• (a) Final maps and parcel maps shall show sufficient mathematical data to clearly indicate the portion of each lot which is within private or future streets and alleys, in addition to the width and center line detail required by the provisions of Section 9-1.511 of this article.

• (b) Right-of-way lines for private or future streets and alleys shall be dashed.

(c) Each private or future street and alley shall be clearly identified as such. (Ord. 230, § 421)

• (a) Final maps and parcel maps shall show the name of each highway or street, other than a future street, appearing on the map. Street and highway names shall be shown in, or arrowed to, the right-of-way.

• (b) If only a portion of a street or highway is to be dedicated on a map, the street or highway name shall be shown in, or arrowed to, both the portion to be dedicated and the existing portion of the street or highway.

• (c) Street and highway names shall be subject to the approval of the City Engineer.

• (d) The words "Avenue," "Street," and "Place" and other street and highway designations shall be spelled in full.

• (Ord. 230, § 422)

Final maps and parcel maps shall show the width and location of each railroad and transmission line right-of-way, flood control channel, and other similar rights-of-way appearing on the map. Rights-ofway which appear on a map as a lot or a series of lots shall be shown as provided in Sections 91.509 and 9-1.510 of this article.

(Ord. 230, § 423)

Final maps and parcel maps shall show all easements which are a burden upon lots in the division or reversion or which are required as a condition precedent to filing the map. (Ord. 230, § 424)

Easements appearing on final maps and parcel maps shall conform to the following requirements:

• (a) The sidelines of each easement shall be shown. The widths, center lines, center line or sideline data, and ties shall be shown, as necessary, to definitely locate each easement. easement.

• (b) Easement sidelines shall be shown as fine, dashed lines.

• (c) Distances and bearings on the sidelines of lots which are cut by easements shall be arrowed or otherwise shown so as to clearly indicate the actual length of each lot line.

• (d) Each easement shall be clearly labeled and identified, and, if of record, the record reference shall be shown thereon. If an easement is to be granted by a separate instrument, the record reference shall be shown on the map prior to the time of filing the map.

• (e) Notes and figures pertaining to easements shall be subordinated in form and appearance to other notes and figures on the map.

• (Ord. 230, § 425)

Final maps and parcel maps on which easements are offered for public use shall have written thereon, in addition to or as a part of any other certificate required, a certificate signed by all persons claiming an interest in the lands included within the division or reversion shown on the map, other than an interest which cannot ripen into a fee, in substantially the following form:

"We hereby certify that, except as shown on a copy of this map on file in the office of the Superintendent of Streets, we know of no easement or structure existing within the easements hereby offered for dedication to the public, other than publicly-owned water lines, sewers, or storm drains, and that we will grant no right or interest within the boundaries of such easements offered to the public except where such right or interest is expressly made subject to such easements." (Ord. 230, § 435)

Final maps and parcel maps shall show each City boundary line crossing or adjoining a division or reversion. Each such line shall be clearly designated and tied. (Ord. 230, § 426)

If any portion of a lot shown on a final map or parcel map is subject to flood hazard, inundation, or geological hazard, and the hazard is not to be removed as a condition precedent to filing the map, the hazard area and a prominent note identifying the hazard shall be shown on the map. (Ord. 230, § 427)

In the event the dedication of rights-of-way for storm drainage purposes is not required, the Council may require that a final map or parcel map show the location of any natural watercourse, stream, channel, swale, or creek which traverses the map. (Ord. 230, § 428)

If a parcel map is compiled from record data, the source of information used shall be contained in a note on one sheet of the map. (Ord. 230, § 429)

Each final map and each parcel map for which a survey is required shall show evidence found on the ground of sufficient corners of prior surveys or such other evidence as may be suitable to precisely locate the boundaries of the division or reversion shown on the map. Each stake, monument, or other object found shall be fully described and referenced. The method used to establish each point or line shall be clearly shown and explained on the map. (Ord. 230, § 430)

The procedure and practice for all survey work done for the preparation of a final map or parcel map shall conform to the standards and details set forth in Chapter 15 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code of the State (Land Surveyor's Act). The allowable error of closure on any portion of a final map or parcel map shall be 1/10,000.

In the event the County Engineer, County Road Commissioner, State Highway Engineer, or City Engineer shall have established the center line of any highway, street, or alley shown on a final map or parcel map, the map shall show such center line and the monuments which determine its position. If determined by ties, that fact shall be stated upon the final map or parcel map. (Ord. 230, § 431)

• (a) Each final map and each parcel map for which a survey is required shall show durable monuments found or set at or near each boundary corner and at intermediate points, approximately 1,000 feet apart, or at such lesser distances as may be made necessary by the topography or culture to insure accuracy in the reestablishment of any point or line without unreasonable difficulty. The precise position and the character of each such monument shall be shown on the map. Such durable monuments shall be not less substantial than an iron pipe of a two inch outside diameter, not less than two and one-half (2½) feet in length, with plug and tack, and set at least two feet into the ground or of such other character and stability as may be approved by the City Engineer. For the purposes of this section, a lead and tack set in permanent concrete or masonry shall be considered a durable monument. The approximate elevation of the top of each such monument with respect to the surface of the ground shall be shown on the final map and parcel map.

• (b) Whenever it is necessary, in the opinion of the City Engineer, center line monuments shall be set to mark intersections of streets or intersections of streets with the map boundary or to mark either the beginning and end of curves or the points of intersection of tangents thereof or other intermediate points.

Each such monument shall be not less durable and substantial than:

• (1) In an asphaltic concrete or cement pavement, a lead and tack;

• (2) In an unsurfaced graveled or oiled surface, a two inch iron pipe set not less than 12 inches below the surface or at such depth as may be approved by the City Engineer; and

• (3) In a bituminous macadam pavement, a spike not less than six inches long.

For each center line monument set, the engineer or surveyor under whose supervision the survey has been made shall furnish to the City Engineer a set of notes clearly showing the ties between the monument and a sufficient number (four normally) of durable distinctive reference points or monuments.

Such reference points or monuments may be leads and tacks in sidewalks, or two inch by two (2″ x 2″) inch stakes set back of the curb line and below the surface of the ground, or a substitute therefor which appears to be not likely to be disturbed.

Each set of notes submitted shall conform in all respects to the standardized office records of the City Engineer. All such notes shall be indexed and filed by the City Engineer as a part of the permanent public records of his or her office.

• (c) All monuments set as required by the provisions of this section shall be permanently and visibly marked or tagged with the registration or license number of the engineer or surveyor under whose supervision the survey was made.

• (d) All boundary monuments shall be set prior to filing the final map or parcel map. Interior street center line monuments may be set subsequent to the filing of the final map or parcel map. The final map or parcel map shall show which monuments are in place and which are to be set. Prior to the certification of the final map or parcel map by the City Engineer, the subdivider shall submit a written agreement in which he or she agrees that the monuments deferred will be set within a specified time and that the notes required by Subsection (b) of this section will be furnished within a specified time. Such agreements shall be accompanied by improvement security as set forth in Section 9-1.803 of Article 8 of this chapter.

(e) All monuments shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the City Engineer. (Ord. 230, § 432)

Evidence of title shall be submitted with all final parcel maps. The evidence of title shall show all fee interest holders, all interest holders whose interest could ripen into a fee, all trust deeds, together with the names of the trustees, and all easement holders. (Ord. 230, § 438)

When a soil report has been prepared, this fact shall be on the final map, together with the date of the report and the name of the engineer making the report. Preliminary soil reports shall be required in accordance with the provisions of Section 17953 of the Health and Safety Code of the State. (Ord. 230, § 439)

Final maps and parcel maps shall be submitted to the City Engineer. A subdivider shall submit sufficient copies of the final map or parcel map to permit the City Engineer to furnish copies to City officers and departments and to other public agencies which, in the opinion of the City Engineer, may have an interest in the map. (Ord. 230, § 404)

Each City officer or department, within 15 days after the receipt of a print of a final map or parcel map, shall report in writing to the City Engineer as to the compliance or noncompliance of the map with the approved or conditionally approved tentative map. (Ord. 230, § 405)

Dedications or grants of easements required as a condition precedent to filing a parcel map may be made either by a certificate on the final parcel map or by a separate instrument, accepted and recorded prior to or concurrently with the filing of the parcel map. (Ord. 230, § 406)

The Council may require dedications as a condition precedent to the filing of a final map or parcel map for the purpose of reverting to acreage land previously subdivided. (Ord. 230, § 407)

Except as otherwise provided by this section, streets, highways, alleys and other vehicular and pedestrian rights-of-way, or portions thereof, which are required as a condition precedent to the filing of a final map or parcel map shall be offered for public use.

With the approval of the Council, a street or alley which is intended to be kept physically closed to public travel or posted as a private right-of-way may be shown as a private street or alley. Private streets and alleys shall be conditionally dedicated, which offer may be accepted by the Council, if the street or alley ceases to remain physically closed or posted and is open to public travel for a period of three months or more.

(Ord. 230, § 408)

Future streets and alleys shown on final maps and parcel maps shall be offered for public use, which offer shall remain open for an indeterminate period of time until the Council determines that the opening of the street or alley is warranted. The owners of the underlying fee to any portion of a future street or alley shall retain the right to any, and all ordinary uses of such land, except the erection or construction thereon of any structure not ordinarily placed in public streets or alleys, until such time as the Council shall open the street or alley for public use. (Ord. 230, § 409)

Access rights to major and secondary highways and to one street for double frontage lots, except corner lots, shown on final maps and parcel maps shall be dedicated, unless abutting lots are to be used for commercial or industrial development. (Ord. 230, § 410)

The right to restrict the erection of buildings or other structures within those portions of lots which are shown as being subject to flood hazard, inundation, or geological hazard on a final map or parcel map shall be dedicated. Such restrictions shall remain in effect until such time as such flood hazard, inundation or geological hazard shall be eliminated to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. (Ord. 230, § 411)

If sewers or drains, or both, are required for the general use of lot owners in a division of land, and such sewers or drains are not to be installed within public highways, streets, or alleys, the necessary easements shall be granted. (Ord. 230, § 412)

In the event a division of land is traversed by a major watercourse, channel, stream, swale, or creek, the Council may require that an adequate right-of-way be dedicated for storm drainage purposes. (Ord. 230, § 413)

The evidence of title required for final maps and parcel maps, where dedications are made by a certificate on the parcel map pursuant to the provisions of Section 66465 of the Government Code of the State, shall be a certificate of title or a policy of title insurance issued by a title company authorized by the laws of the State to write such certificates and policies, showing the names of all persons having any record title interest in the land to be subdivided, together with the nature of their respective interests therein. In the event land in the City is to be dedicated, the certificate of title or policy of title insurance shall be issued for the benefit and protection of the City. Such certificate or policy shall be dated and delivered, upon the request of the City Engineer, when the map is ready for filing.

(Ord. 230, § 433)

Separate instruments shall be prepared by a title company or by the City Engineer. When dedicating by a separate instrument, the subdivider shall submit a title report, prepared in favor of the City, which indicates who is required to sign the separate instrument to pass clear title to the City. The title report shall be kept upto-date, and the City shall be notified of any change until such time as the separate instrument is recorded.

(Ord. 230, § 436)

The signatures of all parties having any record title interest in the real property being subdivided shall not be required on any final parcel map unless dedications or offers of dedication are made by certificate on the final parcel map.

(Ord. 230, § 437)

Where dedications are made by a certificate on the parcel map, if the owner of an easement in a right-of-way offered for public use on a final map or parcel map, which owner has no other interest whatever in any part of the land included within the division or reversion to acreage, refuses to make the easement subject to the right-of-way offered to the public, but the map in all other respects complies with the provisions of this chapter, with the Subdivision Map Act, and with other applicable statutes and laws, and the Council finds that the subdivider, in good faith, has attempted to obtain the necessary signature from such owner and has been unable to do so and a refusal to accept the map for filing would work an undue hardship on the subdivider, the Council may accept the final map or parcel map for filing by a majority vote of all the members of the Council. (Ord. 230, § 434)