Article I — COMPLETION OF IMPROVEMENTS

326-1. Compliance with Conditions of Tentative Subdivision Map Approval.

Prior to filing the Final Map, Parcel Map or Instrument of Waiver, the subdivider must meet or comply with the conditions of approval of the Tentative Subdivision Map. If improvements were required, the subdivider shall either have completed the improvements or have executed an agreement with the County to complete the improvements. The form and requirements of the agreement are specified in Section 326-2 and 326-3. (Ord. 1146, § 60, 7/19/1977)

326-2. Improvement Agreement.

(a) If the subdivision improvements have not been completed prior to filing the Final Map, Parcel Map or Instrument of Waiver, the owner or owners of the subdivision shall enter into an agreement with the County of Humboldt agreeing to have the work described in the improvement plans completed. In the case of Final Map Subdivisions, the improvements must be completed within two (2) years following recordation of the Final Map. In the case of Parcel Map Subdivisions, the improvements must be completed within two (2) years following recordation of the Final Map. In the case of Parcel Map Subdivisions, the improvements must be completed within the period specified by the Advisory Agency.

The agreement may provide for the improvements to be installed in units (subject to the provisions of Section 66499 of the Map Act) for extensions of time under specified conditions, or for the termination of the agreement upon reversion of the subdivision or a part thereof to acreage. (Ord. 1246, § 1, 8/8/1978)

(b) The subdivision agreement shall guarantee that all streets and storm drain improvements and equipment deemed necessary for the use of such subdivision, or the proper drainage thereof and including, but not limited to, street surfacing, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, culverts, bridges, and storm drains, shall be free from defects of

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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material or workmanship and shall perform satisfactorily for a period of at least one (1) year from and after acceptance of such improvements as complete.

The subdivider shall agree to repair any defects in any such improvements and to replace any defective improvements which cannot be repaired and which occur or arise within said one (1) year period at his/her own expense. (rd. 1146, Section 61, 7/19/77)

326-3. Improvement Plans.

(a) If subdivision improvements are required, improvement plans may be required by the Department of Public Works for all or part of the improvements. The Department may require the plans to be prepared by a registered civil engineer.

(b) The improvement plans must be approved by the Department of Public Works prior to the making of any improvements.

(c) An itemized estimate of costs for all improvements required for the subdivision shall be submitted with the improvement plans if the improvements are not to be completed prior to the recording of the Final or Parcel Map or Instrument of Waiver or separate recorded instrument referenced thereto.

(d) To insure proper design and to simplify and speed checking procedures, it may be required that design calculations and related information be submitted with the improvement plans. (Ord. 1146, § 62, 7/19/1977)

326-4. Improvement Specifications.

All of the subdivision improvements required shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications therefor which are contained in the portion of the appendix to this division entitled “Design and Improvement Standards.” All of the subdivision improvements required by the County shall be carried out in full compliance with the specifications as set forth or referred to in said appendix. Nothing contained in said appendix shall be construed to prohibit the subdivider from constructing a higher type of improvement than specified herein. (Ord. 1146, § 63, 7/19/1977)

326-5. Utilities Placement.

Except as otherwise approved by the Advisory Agency, all utilities shall be placed as directed by the affected utility companies and approved by the Department of Public Works. (Ord. 1146, § 64, 7/19/1977)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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326-6. Subdivision Security Amounts.

Prior to the execution of the agreement (by the County) provided in Section 326-2, the subdivider shall furnish the County with the following securities: (Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/06/79)

(a) A good and sufficient security given for faithful performance of the agreement in an amount equal to the approved cost estimate. (Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/6/1979)

(b) A good and sufficient security securing the payment to laborers and materialmen in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the approved cost estimate. (Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/6/1979)

(c) A good and sufficient security securing the subdivider’s guarantee and warranty of workmanship and materials in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the approved cost estimate. (Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/6/1979)

(d) A good and sufficient security securing subdivider’s obligation to pay County’s reasonable expenses, fees and attorney fees incurred in successfully enforcing the subdivision agreement in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the approved cost estimate. (Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/6/1979)

(e) A good and sufficient security in an amount equal to estimated cost of setting all monuments. (Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/6/1979)

(f) A certificate from the County Tax Collector showing that all payable taxes are paid and, in the case of a Final Map Subdivision, a bond for the payment of taxes then a lien but not yet payable. (Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/6/1979)

(g) Evidence of cash payment of all fees required for the checking and filing of maps, for the inspection of improvements, and for the payment of street signs and traffic control devices to be furnished and installed by the County. (Ord. 1146, § 65, 7/19/1977; Ord. 1365, § 1, 11/6/1979)

326-6.2. Form of Security.

As used in Section 326-6, “good and sufficient security” means any of the following: (Ord. 1365, § 2, 11/06/79)

(a) A bond or bonds by one or more duly authorized corporate sureties. (Ord. 1365, § 2, 11/6/1979)

(b) A deposit, either with the County or a responsible escrow company or trust company, at the option of the County, of money or negotiable bonds of the kind approved for securing deposits or public moneys. (Ord. 1365, § 2, 11/6/1979)

(c) An instrument of credit from one or more financial institutions subject to the regulation by the State or Federal government and pledging that the funds necessary to carry out the act or agreement are on deposit and guaranteed for payment. (Ord. 1365, § 2, 11/6/1979)

(d) A lien upon the property to be divided, created by contract between the owner and the County, if the Advisory Agency expressly finds that it would not be in the public interest to require the installation of the required improvement sooner than two (2) years after the recordation of the map. (Ord. 1365, § 2, 11/6/1979)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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(e) In the case of parcel map subdivisions of four (4) or fewer lots, a lien upon real property if approved by the Director of Public Works. (Ord. 1365, § 2, 11/6/1979)

326-6.3. Real Property Liens.

(a) The Director of Public Works shall have the discretion to accept or reject liens upon real property offered as good and sufficient subdivision security. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

(b) In considering offered liens, the Director of Public Works may consider any factor he finds relevant and may require the subdivider to submit such information he deems necessary. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

• (c) An application to the Director of Public Works shall contain the following: (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/06/79)

  • (1) A current appraisal prepared by an independent appraiser commonly accepted by financial institutions or a certified copy of the Humboldt County Assessor’s appraisal. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

  • (2) A current preliminary title report. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

  • (3) A current credit report. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

  • (4) A contract for the installation of the subdivision improvements unless the subdivider is licensed to perform such work. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

  • (5) A loan commitment or other source of funding the construction. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

  • (6) Two (2) copies of the tentative map and letter of approval. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

  • (7) An application fee in the amount set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/ 1979)

(d) Subdivision real property liens shall be senior to all other liens and shall not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the appraised unsubdivided value of the property. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

(e) Upon approval, an escrow shall be opened providing for the preparation of the deed of trust, issuance of a standard form title policy in favor of the County of Humboldt in the amount of the lien, closure of escrow within forty-five (45) days and payment of all escrow cost fees and expenses by the subdivider. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

(f) The Director of Public Works may grant partial releases as long as the sufficient security remains to cover uncompleted improvements. (Ord. 1365, § 3, 11/6/1979)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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326-7. Non-Acceptance of Premature Work.

Any improvements made which have been done without complying with the procedures set forth in Sections 326-2 through 326-5 and Sections 326-11 through 326-16 of this chapter will not be accepted for maintenance by the County of Humboldt. (Ord. 1146, § 66, 7.19/77, 7/19/1977)