Ridgecrest Municipal Code Art. VIII Administration and Enforcement

Any person, firm or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee or otherwise, violating or causing the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Code 1980, § 19-10.4; Ord. No. 87-01, § 76)

(a) It is unlawful for any person, as principal, agent or otherwise, to divide or subdivide for lease or sale, into two or more parcels of land, or to lease, sell, convey, quitclaim, or transfer, by contract, deed or otherwise, or after such division or subdivision to offer for lease or sale, any land or any part thereof, whether improved or unimproved in the city, unless and until all of the requirements hereinbefore provided in relation thereto shall have been complied with. Such requirements shall not apply to the leasing of apartments, offices, stores or similar space within an apartment building, industrial building, commercial building, commercial building or trailer park, or to land dedicated for cemetery purposes.

(b) It is unlawful for any person, as seller, buyer, agent, or otherwise, for the purpose of violating or nullifying the provisions of this chapter, knowingly to allow a transfer of title to property or any part thereof to take place by adverse possession or prescription; or to conspire or collude with another or others to effect a successive series or subdivisions of a larger parcel into smaller parcels; or to be or become a party to a friendly or sham lawsuit or litigation the purpose of which shall be to cause or to permit a transfer of title of any land or part thereof, whether improved or unimproved, in the city; or to do or perform any other act or willfully omit to do an act for the purpose of evading or nullifying the provisions of this chapter.

(c) Sale voidable. Any deed or conveyance, sale or contract to sell made contrary to the provisions of this chapter is voidable at the sole option of the grantee, buyer or person contracting to purchase, his heirs, personal representative, or trustee in insolvency or bankruptcy within one year after the date of execution of the deed of conveyance, sale or contract to sell, but the deed of conveyance, sale or contract to sell is binding upon any assignee or transferee of the grantee, buyer or person contracting to purchase, other than those above enumerated, and upon the grantor, vendor or person contracting to sell, or his assignee, heir or advisee. However, nothing in this section contained shall be deemed to render void or voidable any trust deed, mortgage or other encumbrance in the hands of a bona fide holder for value.

(d) Remedies not barred. This chapter does not bar any legal, equitable or summary remedy to which the city or other political subdivision, or any person, firm or corporation, may file suit in any court of competent jurisdiction, to restrain or enjoin any attempted or proposed subdivision or sale in violation of the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code § 66410 et seq.) or this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 19-10.1; Ord. No. 87-01, § 73)

Compliance with the provisions of this chapter is a condition precedent to the issuance of a building permit and any building permit which is issued before compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be null and void.

(Code 1980, § 19-10.2; Ord. No. 87-01, § 74)

It shall be the responsibility of the city clerk to notify the city attorney of any violation of this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 19-10.3; Ord. No. 87-01, § 75)