Article I — GENERAL

327.5-1. Purpose.

The County of Humboldt had a merger ordinance in existence prior to January 1, 1984. This chapter is enacted for the purpose of amending the existing merger ordinance of the County of Humboldt (previously Humboldt County Code Section 317-64) to bring it into compliance with Article 1.5 of Chapter 3 of Division 2 of Title 7 of the California Government Code (Sections 66451.10 et seq.); to provide for the continued merger of certain resource lands merged by operation of law prior to January 1, 1984; and to provide for voluntary merger of parcels of land. Article II of this chapter shall only be implemented on parcels within the County which are zoned Timberland Production Zone and parcels which are enforceably restricted by a Williamson Act Contract. Article III of this chapter shall only be implemented on parcels within the County which are enforceably restricted by a Williamson Act Contract. In restricting the application of Article III of this chapter to parcels which are enforceably restricted by a Williamson Act Contract, the Board of Supervisors finds that the preservation of mergers of these resource lands which merged by operation of law prior to January 1, 1984, as provided for in Article III, is necessary to aid in preserving the integrity of the Williamson Act program in Humboldt County, to aid in the enforcement and prevention of violations of the Williamson Act (Government Code Section 51200 et seq.) and local regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

327.5-2. Definitions.

Except as otherwise provided, when used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (Ord. 1762, 12/09/86)

(a) “Advisory Agency” means the Planning Commission; provided, that the Planning Commission may designate the Planning Director to act as the Advisory Agency. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

(b) “Contiguous” means touching or adjoining at a point or along a boundary. Property shall be considered contiguous even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements or railroad rights-of-way. As to new and continued merger of resource lands pursuant to Article II and Article III of Chapter 7.5, “contiguous” parcels shall only merger when they are touching or adjoining at more than one point. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986; Ord. 2574, § 1, 5/ 9/2017)

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

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Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

(c) “Merged by operation of law” means the merger of parcels by or through the law without any direct action by the County (other than adoption of applicable ordinances) or by the property owner. As used in this section, “merged by operation of law” refers to the merger of parcels pursuant to the provisions of the Humboldt County Code and/or the State Subdivision Map Act in effect prior to January 1, 1984. The term “merged by operation of law” does not include voluntary mergers by action of the owner, or merger pursuant to the provisions of Article II of this chapter. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

used in this section, “merged by operation of law” refers to the merger of parcels pursuant to the provisions of the Humboldt County Code and/or the State Subdivision Map Act in effect prior to January 1, 1984. The term “merged by operation of law” does not include voluntary mergers by action of the owner, or merger pursuant to the provisions of Article II of this chapter. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

(d) “Merger” means the joining of two or more contiguous parcels or units of improved or unimproved land, which are held by the same owner or owners, into one parcel or unit of land pursuant to this chapter. Parcels or units include, but are not limited to, lots created by the division or subdivision of land, lots created by deed or record of survey, and U.S. patent parcels. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

(e) “Planning Director” means the Planning Director of the Planning Department of the County of Humboldt and his duly authorized deputies. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

(f) “Same Owner or Owners”: For the purpose of Article II of this chapter, contiguous parcels or units are considered to be held by the same owner or owners if the same owner or owners own the same property interest in each of the parcels subject to merger on the date when the Notice of Intent to Determine Status is recorded pursuant to Section 327.5-5. For the purpose of Article III of this chapter, contiguous parcels or units of land are considered to be held by the same owner or owners if the same owner or owner, or their predecessors in interest, owned the same property interest in each of the parcels subject to merger on the date when such parcels were merged by operation of law. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

(g) “Resource Land” or “Resource Parcel” means a parcel or unit of land that meets the conditions described in subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) of subsection (b) of Section 327.5-3 of the County Code. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/1986)

(h) “This chapter” means Chapter 7.5 of Division 2 of Title III of the Humboldt County Code. (Ord. 1762, 12/9/ 1986)