§ 20.20

Lot line adjustments between four or fewer adjacent legal lots is a streamlined map process that can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

A.

Meeting, or more closely meeting, the minimum lot size and area requirements of the zone where the property is located.

B.

Complying with required building setbacks.

C.

Eliminating an existing encroachment.

D.

Addressing compliance with the Building Code.

E.

Better conformance with site features and topography.

In accordance with Section 20.04.140.B, lot line adjustments between five or more existing adjoining lots require a tentative and final/tract map, unless they meet noted exceptions where a parcel map could be processed. A tentative parcel map may be waived.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

A lot line adjustment shall be prepared by a qualified California civil engineer or a California licensed surveyor in accordance with these regulations. Civil engineers with licenses prior to January 1, 1982 (with a license number before 33966) are authorized to practice all land surveying and engineering surveying.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

The procedures for a lot line adjustment shall apply to the adjustment of property boundaries between four (4) or fewer existing legal adjoining lots recorded with the County Recorder's office in conformance with the Subdivision Map Act where land taken from one (1) lot is added to an adjacent lot and where a greater number of lots than originally recorded is not thereby created. A record of survey may be required pursuant to California Business and Professions Code section 8762.

Multiple lot line adjustments submitted concurrently or sequentially as defined in Section 20.36.243, when five or more parcels exist, circumventing the Subdivision Map Act will not be allowed. A subdivision map will be required in these instances. A lot line adjustment is at the discretion of the Community Development Department Planning Bureau.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

The applicant shall submit an application to the Community Development Department Planning Bureau. Typical information and exhibits that accompany an application are listed below. The Director of Community Development may require additional information or documentation based on the unique circumstances at the site to process the lot line adjustment.

A.

One copy of a preliminary title report providing the legal description of the properties included in the application dated not more than three (3) months prior to submittal of the application;

B.

Signatures of all record owners included in the application; and

C.

Site plan or map legibly drawn to a scale of sufficient size to show full detail, including the following information:

1.

North arrow, scale, legend, adjacent streets, dimensions, and field established boundaries of the lots or parcels included in the application before and after adjustment. The monuments relied upon for the establishment of the boundaries shall be shown on the site plan.

2.

Distinct line type indicating the property line(s) to be adjusted and keyed to a legend.

3.

Location of existing and proposed buildings and distance(s) between these buildings and proposed property lines, as well as the outline of all structures outside the adjustment area within 10 feet of the boundary lines. The existing structures must show accurate ties, displayed/labeled to one hundredth of a foot, to the existing and proposed boundary lines. The site plan shall be consistent with the current California Building Code Section 107.2.5 stating a site plan shall have an accurate boundary.

4.

The lot areas of existing parcels, as well as the lot areas of proposed parcels as adjusted.

5.

Name and address of qualified California civil engineer or a California licensed surveyor who prepared the map and the applicable license or registration number.

Topographic information with a reference to the source of the information.

7.

The locations, widths, and purposes of all existing and proposed easements for utilities, drainage and other public purposes, shown by dashed lines, within and adjacent to the subdivision; all existing and proposed utilities including size of gas and water lines and the size and grade of sewer lines, location of manholes, valve lids, fire hydrants, street trees, and streetlights.

8.

The new boundary lines must be monumented and a record of survey filed with the County of Los Angeles. A preliminary record of survey shall be submitted to the Designated City Surveyor.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

The Community Development Director or stipulated designee shall act to approve or disapprove the lot line adjustment and shall limit review and approval to a determination of whether or not the parcels resulting from the lot line adjustment will conform to the local general plan, any applicable specific plan, any applicable coastal plan, and zoning and building ordinances. The Director shall not impose conditions or exactions on its approval of a lot line adjustment except to conform to the local general plan, any applicable specific plan, any applicable coastal plan, and zoning and building ordinances, to require the prepayment of real property taxes prior to the approval of the lot line adjustment, or to facilitate the relocation of existing utilities, infrastructure, or easements. No tentative map, parcel map, or final map shall be required as a condition to the approval of a lot line adjustment. A local agency shall approve or disapprove a lot line adjustment pursuant to the Permit Streamlining Act (Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 65920) of Division 1).

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

The Community Development Director or stipulated designee shall approve a lot line adjustment if all the following findings can be made:

A.

The modification between lots does not result in a greater number of lots than currently legally exists.

B.

The modified lots do not create inconsistencies with the Zoning regulations, the Building Code, and the General Plan.

C.

That the design of the lot line adjustment or the type of improvements is consistent with the Local Coastal Plan (LCP) as it considers projected sea level rise, slope stability, hazards and potential storm flooding for

the life on the project based on available FEMA information.

D.

Individual water and service laterals, sewer connections in accordance with the LBWS Rules and Regulations, gas, and other utilities are available to each adjusted lot, or necessary easements are provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.

D.

All drainage across the adjusted lot line shall be eliminated or necessary easements are provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.

E.

Multiple lot line adjustments submitted concurrently or sequentially, when five or more parcels exist, circumventing the Subdivision Map Act will not be allowed. A subdivision map will be required in these instances.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

A.

An approved lot line adjustment shall expire thirty-six (36) months after its approval if it has not been recorded, except when a time extension has been granted by the Community Development Director or the Zoning Administrator.

B.

Any lot line adjustment approved between January 1, 2018, and the effective date of Ordinance 20-0023 shall be effective for a period of forty-eight (48) months from the date of issuance.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

After approval by the Zoning Administrator, the applicant shall file a site plan with the Department of Public Works based upon criteria established by the Director of Public Works. The site plan shall be consistent with the current California Building Code Section 107.2.5 stating a site plan shall have an accurate boundary.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)

The lot line adjustment shall be reflected in a deed, including modified deeds of trusts, which shall be recorded. The lot line adjustment does not take effect until the deeds have been recorded. The failure to file the deeds within the designated approval period shall render the lot line adjustment null and void.

(ORD-23-0051 § 1(Exh. A), 2023)