San Diego Municipal Code Div. 1 General Subdivision Procedures

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Retitled from “General Rules” to “General Subdivision Procedures” on 3-22-2018 by O-20917 N.S.; effective 4-21-2018.)

The purpose of these procedures is to regulate the division of lands and the associated design of improvements, and the acquisition and vacation of public rights-of-way and public easements within the City; to protect both the public and private interests in land development projects; and to supplement the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act and California Streets and Highways Code Sections 8300 through 8363. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

The filing of a map as specified in the Subdivision Map Act and this article is required for all subdivisions. Determination of whether a final map or parcel map is required for a subdivision shall be in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act, Section 66426, or as otherwise specified in this article. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

This article does not apply to actions that are excluded or exempted under the Subdivision Map Act, except to provide for processing procedures consistent with the specified exclusion or exemption. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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A subdivider may request a waiver of tentative map, parcel map, or final map requirements as provided by the Subdivision Map Act, Sections 66428 and 66428.1 for any of the following:

(a) Parcel Map Waiver. The subdivider may request a waiver of the requirement
to file a tentative parcel map or parcel map including those imposed by the
Subdivision Map Act, Section 66426;

(b) Condominium Projects.

(1) The subdivider may request a waiver of the requirement to file a
tentative map and parcel map or final map for the construction of a
new condominium project on a single parcel that was previously
mapped and monumented in a manner satisfactory to the City
Engineer in accordance with Subdivision Map Act Section 66428(b);

(2) The subdivider may request a waiver of the requirement to file a
tentative map and parcel map for:

(A) A condominium conversion project creating four or fewer
condominium units;

(B) A new commercial or industrial condominium project on a
single parcel;

(C) Conversion of existing development to four or fewer
commercial or industrial condominiums; or

(D) The new commercial or industrial portion of a mixed-use
condominium project on a single parcel.

(c) Mobilehome Park Conversion. For conversion of a mobilehome park to a
condominium in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act, Section 66428.1.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.)
(Amended 6-18-2013 by O-20261 N.S.; effective 7-19-2013.)

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 12: Land Development Reviews (3-20221)

(a) An applicant shall apply for a Map Waiver in accordance with Section 112.0102. The content and form for the submittal shall be as specified by the Land Development Manual and the Subdivision Map Act.

(b) If the applicant fails to submit or resubmit requested materials, information,
fees, or deposits, the application file may be closed after 90 calendar days
from the date the application was deemed complete or from the date of the
last written request by the City.
(“How to Apply for a Map Waiver” added 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective
10-6-2011. Former Section 125.0121, ”Decision Process for Map Waiver”
renumbered to Section 125.0122.)

A decision on an application for a Map Waiver shall be made in accordance with Process Three. If the request is approved, the City Manager shall record a Certificate of Compliance or other suitable instrument as evidence of such approval in the office of the County Recorder. (”Findings for Map Waivers” added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Renumbered from former Section 125.0121, 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)

The decision maker may approve a Map Waiver if the decision maker finds that the proposed division of land complies with requirements of the Subdivision Map Act and the Land Development Code. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Renumbered from former Section 125.0122, 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)

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The expiration date of a Map Waiver may be extended as follows:

(a) The expiration date of a Map Waiver may be extended one or more times if
the extensions do not exceed a total of 72 months in accordance with the
Subdivision Map Act. This time frame does not include any legislative
extensions enacted pursuant to state law.

(b) Request for Extension. An application for Extension of Time for a Map
Waiver shall be filed before the expiration date of the Map Waiver, but not
more than 60 calendar days before the expiration date, in accordance with
Section 112.0102. When an application for Extension of Time is filed, the
Map Waiver shall be automatically extended for a period of 60 calendar days
from the expiration date or until the Extension of Time is approved,
conditionally approved, or denied, whichever occurs first.

(c) Decision Process. An application for Extension of Time for a Map Waiver
shall be acted upon in accordance with Process Two, except that it shall be
appealable in accordance with Section 125.0124(f).

(1) The decision maker shall approve the application for Extension of
Time unless a finding to conditionally approve or deny the application
is made in accordance with Section 125.0124(a)(3).

(2) Expiration of a Map Waiver shall not preclude the decision maker
from approving, conditionally approving or denying an Extension of
Time when the application has been filed prior to the Map Waiver
expiration.

(d) Findings to Conditionally Approve or Deny an Application for Extension of
Time. The decision maker may only conditionally approve or deny a request
for Extension of Time if the decision maker makes one of the following
findings:

(1) The failure to conditionally approve or deny the request would place
the residents of the subdivision or the immediate community in a
condition dangerous to their health or safety; or

(2) The condition or denial is required to comply with state or federal law.

(e) If granted, the time period for the Extension of Time shall begin from the date
of expiration of the previously approved Map Waiver.

(f) Appeals. The City Council shall hear appeals of decisions on Extensions of

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(“Extension of Time for a Map Waiver” added 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.) (Amended 6-18-2013 by O-20261 N.S.; effective 7-19-2013.)

Whenever a provision of this article requires that a tentative map be filed, a vesting tentative map may be filed instead as provided by the Subdivision Map Act. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

The vesting rights conferred by a vesting tentative map as provided by the Subdivision Map Act shall remain in effect for two years from the date of the recordation of the final map or parcel map in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

An applicant shall file an application to correct or amend a recorded map as provided by the Subdivision Map Act, Chapter 3, Article 7, in accordance with Section 112.0102. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 12: Land Development Reviews (3-2021)

A decision on an application to correct or amend a recorded map shall be made in accordance with the following:

(a) Errors and Omissions: If the proposed corrections or amendments to the
recorded map consist of corrections to technical errors or omissions as
provided by the Subdivision Map Act, Section 66469, the decision on the
application for Certificate of Correction or amended map shall be made by the
City Engineer in accordance with Process One;

(b) Substantial Conformance: If the proposed amendments to the recorded map
are not to correct errors or omissions but are in substantial conformance with
the approved tentative map and any associated permits and the application is
filed before the latest date to which the tentative map could have been
extended or one year after the recording date of the parcel map or final map,
whichever date is later, the decision on the application for the amended map
shall be made in accordance with Section 125.0530 for amended parcel maps
or Section 125.0630 for amended final maps; and

(c) Modified Conditions: If the proposed amendments modify or eliminate
conditions of approval of the recorded map or do not substantially conform
with the approved tentative map, the application for the amended map shall be
subject to the process that would apply if the map were submitted as a new
application.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)

The decision maker may approve an application to correct or amend a recorded map if the decision maker makes one of the following findings:

(a) Errors and Omissions. A Certificate of Correction or amended map processed
under Section 125.0141(a) may be approved if it complies with the provisions
of the Subdivision Map Act, Chapter 3, Article 7, and the standards
established in the Land Development Manual;

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(b) Substantial Conformance. An amended map processed under Section
125.0141(b) may be approved if it complies with the provisions of the
Subdivision Map Act, Section 66470, and the standards established in the
Land Development Manual and is in substantial conformance with the
approved tentative map and any associated development permits; or

(c) Modified Conditions. An amended map processed under Section 125.0141(c)
may be approved if it complies with the provisions of the Subdivision Map
Act, Section 66472.1.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

If the Certificate of Correction or amended map is approved, the City Manager shall record the document in the office of the County Recorder. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) Pursuant to Subdivision Map Act Section 66452.6(c), an applicant may request a tolling of the expiration of an approved or conditionally approved tentative map for up to 5 years while a lawsuit involving the approval or conditional approval of the tentative map is or was pending in a court of competent jurisdiction. Associated development permits may also be tolled in accordance with Sections 125.0150 and 126.0116.

(b) A request to toll the expiration must be submitted prior to expiration of the
tentative map and associated development permits.

(c) A decision regarding a request to toll the expiration of a tentative map and
associated development permits shall be made in accordance with Process
One.

(d) A request to toll the expiration of a tentative map and associated development
permits shall be granted within 40 days of the date of application if it can be
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City Manager that:

(1) A lawsuit was filed that is related to the processing of an approved or
conditionally approved tentative map and associated development
permits; and

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(2) Tolling of the expiration date for up to 5 years during the lawsuit
would allow time for the applicant to address associated court orders
or procedures related to processing the tentative map and associated
development permits.

(e) Upon resolution of the lawsuit, the applicant shall contact the City Manager
to confirm the adjusted expiration dates for the approved or conditionally
approved tentative map and associated development permits as applicable.
The adjusted expiration dates shall allow tolling of the expiration dates as
follows:

(1) The credited time for the tolling period shall be limited to the time
period between the date the petition or complaint in the lawsuit was
filed and the date the lawsuit was officially resolved.

(2) The credited time for the tolling period shall not exceed 5 years. (“Tolling of Tentative Maps and Associated Development Permits” added 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.) (Amended 1-8-2020 by O-21161 N.S.; effective 2-9-2020.)

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Article 5: Subdivision Procedures