Richmond Municipal Code Art. 15.04.701 General Provisions

The 700 Series will be known and cited as the "Subdivision Ordinance of the City of Richmond" or the "Subdivision Ordinance." The Subdivision Map Act (Title 7, Division 2, of the California Government Code, as amended) is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this Ordinance as though it was fully set forth herein. The provisions of this Series are supplemental to the Subdivision Map Act.

The purpose of this Ordinance is to regulate and control the division of land within the City of Richmond. These provisions implement and supplement the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act concerning the design, improvement and survey data of subdivisions, the form and content of all maps provided for by the Subdivision Map Act and the procedure to be followed in securing the official approval of the Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, Director of Engineering and Capital Improvement Projects, and City Council regarding the maps.

To accomplish this purpose, the regulations in this Ordinance are determined to be necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to promote orderly growth and development and to promote open space, conservation, protection and proper use of land, and to ensure provision for adequate traffic circulation, utilities and services. It is also the purpose of this Ordinance to ensure that the design and improvements of subdivisions is consistent with and promotes the goals and policies of the General Plan.

The regulations set forth in this Ordinance shall apply to all parts of subdivisions within the City of Richmond and to the preparation of subdivision maps and to other maps provided for in the Subdivision Map Act. All subdivisions and parts of subdivisions lying within the City shall be made, and all subdivision maps shall be prepared and presented for approval, as provided for and required by this Ordinance. This Ordinance shall not apply to, affect, or modify any subdivision or part of a subdivision, lawfully created and recorded prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, or to any approval or conditions of approval of any map approved prior to the effective date of this Ordinance. This Ordinance is also inapplicable to actions that the Subdivision Map Act specifically excludes from its provisions including, but not limited to, the following:

A. Financing or Leasing of Buildings. The financing or leasing of apartments, offices, stores, or similar space within apartment buildings, industrial buildings, commercial buildings, mobile home parks, or trailer parks.

B. Other Leases. Mineral, oil, or gas leases.

C. Cemeteries. Land dedicated for cemetery purposes under the California Health and Safety Code.

D. Lot Line Adjustments. Lot line adjustments between four or fewer existing, adjoining parcels, provided:

1. No additional parcels are created;

2. The lot line adjustment is approved by the Director and the Public Works Director or by the Planning Commission on appeal based on a determination of conformance with the General Plan and Article XV, Planning and Zoning.

E. Secondary Residences. The construction, financing, or leasing of secondary residences on a residential lot.