Part 1 — Tentative Maps Major and Minor Subdivisions

Tentative Tract and Tentative Parcel maps shall be prepared and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act and within the provisions of this Chapter.

• A. Map Number. Only a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor shall apply for a map number prior to submission of a tentative tract or tentative parcel map. Map numbers shall be assigned by the County Engineer.

• B. Preparation. Each map shall be prepared in accordance with the following requirements:

  1. Each map shall be prepared by or under the direction of a registered civil engineer or a licensed land surveyor.

  2. Each map shall clearly show the details of the plan thereon. Whenever practicable, map sheets should be no less than eighteen (18) by twenty-four (24) inches. In no case shall the scale be less than one inch to one hundred (100) feet.

  3. The Director of Community Development shall determine the number of copies of a map which a subdivider shall submit. One copy shall be a reproducible print of a type approved by the City Engineer.

  4. The Director of Community Development, prior to accepting an application for any map approval, shall first determine whether or not a report on the environmental impact is to be required.

• C. Identity of Subdivider. When a map is submitted, the Advisory Agency may require the subdivider to show any of the following:

  1. That he is the owner of the property shown on the map as proposed for subdivision.

  2. That he has an option or contract to purchase the property or that portion of which he is not the owner.

  3. That he is the authorized agent or one who can comply with the requirements of Subsections 1 . or 2., of this Section.

• D. Reversion to Acreage. Prior to the submission of a final tract map for the purpose of reverting to acreage land previously subdivided, a tentative tract map shall be prepared and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act and with the provisions of this Chapter. A final parcel map may be approved for reverting to acreage land previously subdivided and consisting of four or less contiguous parcels under the same ownership. In such a case, a tentative parcel map shall be prepared and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Subdivision map Act and this Chapter.

[Amended by Ord. 2021-8; 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-3]

• A. Matters Required. The tentative tract or tentative parcel map shall show and contain the following matters as an aid to the Advisory Agency in its consideration of the design of the subdivision:

  1. The tract or parcel map number, name, or designation.

  2. Sufficient legal description of the land as to define the boundaries of the proposed tract or minor subdivision.

  3. Name and address of subdivider and of registered civil engineer or licensed surveyor, if any.

  4. The locations, names, and existing widths of all adjoining highways, streets, or ways.

  5. The width and approximate grades of all highways, streets, and ways within such proposed subdivision.

  6. The widths and approximate locations of all existing or proposed easements, whether public or private, for roads, drainage, sewers, or public utility purposes.

  7. Approximate radius of all curves.

  8. The approximate lot layout and the approximate dimensions of each lot.

  9. Approximate radius of all curves.

  10. Source of water supply, if any.

  11. Proposed method of sewage disposal, if any. Also show location of existing sewage disposal components including house laterals with distance to old and new lot lines.

  12. Use of property proposed.

  13. Proposed public areas, if any.

  14. Approximate contours where topography controls the street layout. In addition, a 200 feet radius map of the site shall be provided showing topographic contours on the project site

and within the public right-of-way.

15. Date, north point, and scale.

16. Number for each lot.

17. Approximate location of each area covered by trees with a statement of the nature of the cover and the kind and approximate location of all trees standing within the boundaries of proposed public rights-of-way.

18. Approximate location and outline to scale of each building or structure which is not to be moved in the development of the subdivision. Distances of each building or structure to old and new lot lines shall also be shown.

19. Each street shown by its actual street name or by temporary name or letter for purpose of identification until the proper name of such street is determined.

20. Proposed and/or existing zoning of each lot shown on the tentative tract or parcel map.

If it is impossible or impractical to place upon the tentative tract or tentative parcel map any matter hereinabove in this section required, such matter or information shall be furnished in a written statement which shall be submitted with such map.

• B. Separated Parcels. No land shall be subdivided on any single map when such land is separated or divided into two or more parcels or portions by any parcel of land other than a street, alley, railroad right-of-way, public utility right-of-way, or flood control right-of-way, and when such land is so separated each separate parcel or portion thereof, if subdivided, shall be subdivided as a separate parcel and shown on a separate subdivision map.

on any single map when such land is separated or divided into two or more parcels or portions by any parcel of land other than a street, alley, railroad right-of-way, public utility right-of-way, or flood control right-of-way, and when such land is so separated each separate parcel or portion thereof, if subdivided, shall be subdivided as a separate parcel and shown on a separate subdivision map.

• C. Minimum Lot Area and Width. Each lot in any subdivision of lots shall contain the minimum lot areas and widths, as specified in Chapter 3 of Article 9 of the Lakewood Municipal Code, or as follows:

  1. Where the lot or parcel ("lot") to be subdivided is zoned R-1, or R-A, the minimum lot area shall be forty percent (40%) of the parent lot, as it existed on January 1, 2022, and shall be no less than 1,200 square feet.

  2. In the instance where the parent lot is divided horizontally with a second lot behind the first lot facing the street, then the second lot shall be required to provide access to the public sidewalk and to the public street by one of the two following methods:

     • a. Method One. Vehicular access may be provided to an abutting publicly maintained right-of-way (i.e., alley). Pedestrian access may be provided from the lot to the public sidewalk via a pedestrian access flag lot corridor, which shall be required to have a minimum frontage and width that is four (4') feet or wider and a paved private sidewalk constructed within that flag lot corridor, a minimum three feet (3') wide, from the public sidewalk to the rear lot. This shall be for access by delivery services, emergency personnel and for normal pedestrian access, or;

     • b. Method Two. Vehicular and pedestrian access to the public sidewalk and to the public street from the lot via a flag lot corridor with a paved driveway for both shall be required to have a minimum frontage and width that is nine (9') feet or wider.

     • c. Any structure on the front parcel shall have a minimum side yard of four feet (4') from any property line, including the flag lot corridor property line. If this side yard setback cannot be provided, then such a horizontal lot division parcel map shall not be approved.

  3. Any lot zoned R-1 or R-A that is divided, after January 1, 2022, shall require that the property owner sign, notarize and record a Notice of Condition that acknowledges and

certifies the following:

• a. That the property owner agrees that as a condition of parcel map approval that they shall reside as their primary residence in a dwelling unit, on one of the two lots created by the parcel map for three years or more after the recordation date of the related parcel map creating the land division.

• b. The property owner shall certify that the property was not occupied by a renter or lessee during the three (3) years preceding the acceptance date of the application for the related parcel map.

• c. The property shall be used solely for residential uses, which shall include all accessory uses and home occupations, as allowed by the underlying zoning district, R-1, or R-A.

• d. Dwelling units on either one of the two resultant lots shall only be rented in increments of time for more than 30 days (i.e., 31 days or more). There shall be no short-term rental (less than 30 days) of any dwelling units on any such lots created by the parcel map.

4. Where the parcel to be divided is zoned A (Agricultural), the minimum lot area shall be 6,000 square feet, with a frontage of not less than 60 feet and a depth of not less than 100 feet.

5. Where the parcel to be divided is zoned C-1, C-3, C-4, M-1, or M-2, the minimum lot area shall not be less than 6,500 square feet with a frontage of not less than 65 feet and depth of not less than 100 feet.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, lots of lesser frontage, depth, and area in a particular may be approved by the Advisory Agency in case of a minor subdivision or by the City Council in the case of a major subdivision. The Advisory Agency or City Council's determination may be warranted by reasons of circumstances peculiar to the proposed subdivision or by desire to protect and maintain the public's peace, health, safety, and welfare.

• D. Frontage Exceptions. In all zones there shall be lot frontage on a street except in the PD, C, or M zones, where a common area for ingress and egress is shared by the lots contained in the subdivision.

• A. Submittal. The tentative tract or tentative parcel map, or any other map or plans required for tentative processing of a major or minor subdivision, shall be filed with the City's Director of Community Development. At the time the map is submitted for processing, the subdivider shall pay the fees required by the City Engineer for map review and the applicable City fees designated by Resolution.

• B. Preliminary Processing. Tentative maps and required written statements shall be submitted to the Director of Community Development. The Director of Community Development shall distribute copies of these maps and, where appropriate, required written statements to the following:

  1. Each member of the Division of Land Committee.

  2. A City requesting extraterritorial review of tentative tract or tentative parcel maps, pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act.

• C. Division of Land Committee Review. The Division of Land Committee shall meet and make recommendations on tentative maps prior to the Advisory Agency action on said maps. The subdivider shall be invited, but not required to attend the Committee meeting.

• D. Director's Report. The Director of Community Development shall prepare a written report, setting forth the recommendations of the Division of Land Committee and the contents of departmental reports submitted to the Director by City Officers or Departments or other interested agencies. For major subdivision, the Director of Community Development shall submit his report, together with a copy of the tentative tract map to the Planning Environment Commission. For minor subdivisions, the Director shall use said report in consideration of such minor subdivision.

The Director of Community Development shall provide the subdivider and any other person entitled to notice by law, with a copy of the Director's report at least three (3) days before approving the tentative parcel map or before the hearing of the tentative tract map by the Planning Environment Commission.

If the subdivider, or his authorized representative, does not receive the report in person, this provision shall be deemed accomplished when the Director's report is placed in the mail, bearing the proper postage, and directed to the subdivider at his designated address.

• A. Advisory Agency Review Planning Environment Commission. The secretary of the City's Planning Environment Commission shall set the matter of the approval of the tentative tract map for public hearing before the City Planning Environment Commission, and notify the subdivider or his representative, and all other parties entitled to notice, of the time and place for such hearing. Notification shall be given in the same time and manner as required by a Conditional Use Permit and as required by law.

The subdivider or his representative or representatives shall be entitled to attend all hearings in respect to said map and to present whatever evidence, facts, documents, or information he so desires or is requested to supply concerning said tentative tract map and the proposed subdivision.

• B. Legislative Body Review City Council. Following the hearing before the City Planning Environment Commission on the tentative tract map, and within the time provided in the Subdivision Map Act, the City Planning Environment Commission shall forward its recommendation in writing in the form of a report recommending approval, conditional approval, or disapproval, of the map or maps of the subdivision to the City Council. Any reports or recommendations on the map or maps of the subdivision shall also be submitted in writing to the subdivider, and any other person entitled there to by law, prior to the final action on the map or maps by the City Council by depositing the same in the mail within the time specified by law. The City Clerk shall set the matter of consideration of the tentative tract map for a public hearing before the City Council within the time provided by law and notice the hearing in the same manner as the hearing before the Planning Environment Commission.

The City Council shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny the proposed subdivision. The decision of the City Council shall be final.

[Amended 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-3]

• A. Assignment of Responsibilities. The responsibilities of the City Council pursuant to Section 66473.5, 66474, 66474.1, 66474.6, and 66477.1, of the Subdivision Map Act, are assigned to the Director of Community Development with respect to tentative parcel maps filed pursuant to this Chapter.

• B. Approval of Tentative Parcel Map. The Director of Community Development, or his/her designee, is authorized and directed to carry out the duties assigned to him by this Chapter including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Investigate such tentative parcel map filed pursuant to this Chapter and indicate by written report the kind, nature, and extent of improvements required to be installed on or to serve the land to be subdivided.

  2. Obtain the recommendations of the Division of Land Committee, any City requesting extraterritorial review of the tentative parcel map, and any public or private utilities which the Director determines may be concerned.

  3. Approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove tentative parcel maps, and report approval, conditional approval, or disapproval directly to the subdivider as provided in this Chapter. The City shall approve or deny an application for a parcel map or a tentative map for a housing development project submitted to a local agency pursuant to this section within 60 days from the date the local agency receives and deems the application complete.

     • a. If the City does not approve or deny a completed application within 60 days, the application shall be deemed approved.

     • b. If the City denies the application, the local agency shall, within 60 days from the date the local agency receives and deems the application complete, return in writing a full set of comments to the applicant with a list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the applicant can remedy the application.

• C. Guidelines for Approval of Tentative Parcel Map. The Director of Community Development shall not approve the tentative parcel map unless he finds that the following requirements have been satisfied or attaches conditions to his approval of the tentative parcel map which insure that such requirements will be satisfied before a final parcel map is approved.

  1. That proposed map shall be in conformity with the zone in which it is located.

  2. All permits and approvals applicable to the proposed map pursuant to the Lakewood Zoning Code have been obtained.

  3. All applicable requirements of any ordinance of the City of Lakewood regulating or otherwise relating to the conversion of existing buildings into condominium or stock cooperatives have been satisfied.

• D. Notice of Intended Decision. The Director of Community Development shall give notice of his intended decision on the tentative parcel map at least ten (10) days before such decision is to become effective by mail to all property owners, as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll, of property within three hundred (300) feet of the proposed project, and to any other person entitled to a notice by law. Such notice shall be given in the same manner as required for a Conditional Use Permit, and shall inform each owner of their right to request a hearing concerning the map before such decision becomes effective.

• E. Request for Hearing. If the Director of Community Development receives a request for a hearing on the tentative parcel map from any person entitled to notice of the intended decision, prior to his intended decision on the map becoming effective, the Director of Community Development shall schedule a public hearing before the Planning Environment Commission on such map, notice of which shall be given as provided for a Conditional Use Permit to all persons entitled to notice by law. Fee for such hearing shall be paid by the subdivider in the amount established by Resolution.

• F. Appeal. The Planning Environment Commission is hereby designated as the appeal board referred to in Section 66452.5 of the Subdivision Map Act for minor subdivisions.

  1. Where the subdivider is dissatisfied with any action of the Director of Community Development with respect to a tentative parcel map, the subdivider may appeal to the Planning Environment Commission and the City Council as provided in Section 66452.5 of the Subdivision Map Act.

  2. The applicant shall pay a filing fee in accordance with City Council Resolution.

  3. Notice of the hearing shall be given as provided for Conditional Use Permits, and to all persons entitled to notice by law.

• G. Waiver of Parcel Maps. The requirement that a parcel map be prepared and filed with the Director of Community Development and recorded may be waived for the following types of minor subdivisions:

  1. A minor subdivision only for the purpose of leasing the lots resulting from such subdivision, provided further that the land contained within the parcel to be subdivided will not contain therein any public street or highway.

  2. A minor subdivision wherein each resulting lot or parcel was previously a legally created separate lot under the separate ownership but which subsequently came into the same ownership as adjoining parcels such that the total quantity of real property under the same ownership is shown on the latest equalized County assessment roll as a unit or contiguous units.

  3. To adjust the boundaries between two or more lots provided the exchange of property does not create any new lots, include any lots or parcels created illegally, or impair any existing easements or create a need for any new easements serving any adjacent lots or parcels.

Any applicant for a subdivision pursuant to paragraph 1, 2, and 3 of this section may receive waiver only if the following findings are made by the Director of Community Development, or on appeal by the Planning Environment Commission or City Council:

• (a) The proposed subdivision complies with the requirements of this Chapter or the Subdivision Map Act as to area, improvement and design, flood and water drainage control, appropriate improved public roads, sanitary disposal facilities, water supply availability, environmental protection, and other requirements of this Chapter and The Subdivision Map Act.

• (b) The proposed subdivision does not require any dedication or improvement, and the proposed division of land complies with the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act.

• (c) The land contained within the subdivision has approved access to public streets or highways. In any case where waiver of the parcel map is granted, the applicant for the subdivision must file with the Director of Community Development a tentative parcel map, together with a written request that the parcel map be waived. The applicant shall, at the time of submitting the tentative parcel map and written waiver request, pay the fees required by the City Engineer and the City fee prescribed by Resolution for tentative parcel maps. The parcel map waiver request shall contain sufficient information in the opinion of the Director of Community Development to make the findings required by this Section. In any case where waiver of the parcel map is granted by the Director of Community Development or, on appeal, the Planning Environment Commission or City Council, the Director shall cause to be filed for record with the County Recorder a Certificate of Compliance.

The Subdivision Map Act shall govern the denial of a tentative tract or tentative parcel map. The denying body shall make findings supporting its denial which may include the following:

• A. The map does not meet the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act or local ordinance.

• B. The land proposed for division is a lot or parcel created illegally, unless said lot or parcel has been approved by the Director of Community Development or, on appeal, by the Planning Environment Commission or City Council, and a certificate of compliance relative thereto has been filed with the County Recorder.

• C. The Director of Community Development or, on appeal, the Planning Environment Commission or City Council, as the case may be, finds the tentative parcel map does not meet the requirements of this Chapter.

• D. The land proposed for division is not in conformity with the Zoning Ordinance or the Zone in which it is located.

  • [Added by Ord. 84-9]

Where not inconsistent with or prohibited by the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act, and whenever in the opinion of any officer or agency having jurisdiction over any provision of this Chapter, the land involved in a subdivision is of such a size or shape, or subject to such title limitations of record, or is affected by such topographical locations, or conditions, or is devoted to such usage that it is impossible or impractical in the particular case for the subdivider to conform fully to the subdivision requirements, such requirements may be modified as follows:

• A. Major Subdivisions. The officer, agency, or Advisory Agency having jurisdiction over any provision of this Chapter, may recommend to the City Council modifications to the subdivision requirements. The City Council may modify such requirements as deemed reasonably necessary and expedient. In consideration of such modifications, the officer, agency, or Advisory Agency recommending a modification shall transmit to the City Council with the tentative tract map of the subdivision, its report in writing setting forth each modification recommended by the officer, agency, or Advisory Agency and the facts relied upon by it for the recommendation of the modification.

• B. Minor Subdivisions. The Director of Community Development or, on appeal, the Planning Environment Commission or the City Council may modify the subdivision requirements in consideration of a tentative parcel map, as deemed reasonably necessary and expedient.

The Director's report shall set forth the modification requested and the factual data and information pertinent to the case.

No such modification shall be considered, however, unless said Advisory Agency or City Council has first found that because of particular facts involved a hardship would result that would make the application of the regulation impossible or impractical of observance and that the modification is in conformity with the spirit and purpose of the Subdivision Map Act and of this Chapter.

[Added by Ord. 84-9]

• A. Within twenty-four (24) months after approval or conditional approval of the tentative tract or tentative parcel map, the subdivider shall file with the County Recorder, a final tract or final parcel map in substantial conformance with the tentative tract or tentative parcel map as approved, or conditionally approved, and in conformance with the Subdivision Map Act and this Chapter.

• B. Prior to the expiration of the tentative tract or tentative parcel map the subdivider may file for an extension of the expiration period. Extensions shall be granted for a period of twelve (12) months, each extension not to exceed a total of two (2) years. Extensions on tentative tract maps are to be granted by the City Council. Extensions on tentative parcel maps are to be granted by the agency approving the tentative parcel map.

Whenever a provision of this title requires that a tentative map be filed, a vesting tentative map may instead be filed. A vesting tentative map shall be filed and processed in the same manner as a tentative map except as otherwise provided by this Section. The provisions of this Section shall apply only to residential developments.

• A. Description Required. At the time a vesting tentative map is filed it shall have printed conspicuously on its face the words "Vesting Tentative Map."

• B. Development Entitlements Required. If a project requires additional zoning approval such as a conditional use permit or development review board approval, under the ordinances and resolutions effective on the date the application is complete, the conditional use permit, development review board approval, or other zoning entitlement must be obtained prior to the approval of a vesting tentative map.

• C. Vested Rights. Approval of a vesting tentative map confers a vested right on the subdivider to proceed with development in substantial compliance with the ordinances, policies, and standards in effect on the date that the application for the vesting tentative map was complete. However, such vested rights of the subdivider may be denied only under the following circumstances:

  1. Where the granting of such a vested right would be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the subdivision, or the immediate community, or both.

  2. Where the granting of such a vested right would be a violation of state or federal law.

• D. Duration. The rights conferred by this section shall expire if a final map is not approved prior to the expiration of the vesting tentative map. If the final map is approved, the rights conferred by this section shall be subject to the periods of time set forth in subdivision (g) and (h) of Section 66452.6 of the Subdivision Map Act.

  • [Added by Ord. 86-1]