§ 36.510

This Division establishes requirements for the preparation, filing, approval or disapproval of Tentative Maps, consistent with the requirements of the Map Act.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

Tentative Map submittal shall include the application forms, and all information and other materials prepared as required by the Department and the City Engineer.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

A. General filing and processing requirements. Tentative Map applications shall be submitted to the Department for processing, be reviewed for completeness and accuracy, referred to affected agencies, reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) where applicable, and evaluated in a staff report in compliance with Division 36.400 (Application Filing and Processing).

B. Referral to affected agencies. In addition to the procedures outlined in Division 36.400 (Application Filing and Processing), a Tentative Map application shall be referred to the agencies outlined in this Subsection as required by the Map Act, as well as any other City department, County, State or Federal agency, or other individual or group that the Director believes may be affected by the subdivision, or may have information useful to the City about issues raised by the proposed subdivision.

1. Time limits for referrals. As required by Map Act Sections 66453 through 66455.7, referral shall occur within five days of the Tentative Map application being determined to be complete in compliance with Section 36.400.060 (Application Review— Completeness Review) of this Zoning Code. An agency wishing to respond to a referral shall provide the Department with its recommendations within 15 days after receiving the Tentative Map application.

2. Required referrals. The Director shall refer Tentative Map applications for review and comment to each of the following agencies, which will be expected to provide service to the proposed subdivision.

a. City departments.

b. County agencies.

c. Other cities and local agencies.

d. Public utilities.

e. State agencies.

f. Time limits for referrals.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

After completion of the initial processing and the application being deemed complete in compliance with Section 36.400.060 of this Zoning Code, the Director shall:

A. Review and evaluate each Tentative Map as to its compliance and consistency with applicable provisions of this Zoning Code, the General Plan, any applicable Specific Plan, and the Map Act;

B. Determine the extent to which the proposed subdivision complies with the findings in Section 36.510.070 (Tentative Map Approval or Disapproval); and

C. Prepare a staff report to the review authority in compliance with Section 36.510.060 (Tentative Map Public Hearings), describing the conclusions of the evaluations of the map, and recommending to the review authority the approval, conditional approval, or denial

of the Tentative Map.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

After review of a Tentative Map in compliance with Section 36.510.040 the Commission shall:

A. Conduct a public hearing on a proposed Tentative Map in compliance with Section 36.510.060 (Tentative Map Public Hearings), and consider the recommendations of the Director, any agency comments on the map, and any public testimony; and

B. Review and evaluate each Tentative Map as to its compliance and consistency with applicable provisions of this Zoning Code, the General Plan, any Specific Plan, and the Map Act. The review authority’s evaluation shall be based on the staff report, information provided by an initial study or environmental impact report (EIR), where applicable, and any public testimony received; and

C. Within 30 days after the filing of the report and recommendation of the Director with the review authority, approve, conditionally approve or deny the Tentative Map.

Approval or conditional approval of a Tentative Map shall be granted only after the Commission has first made all findings required by Section 36.510.070 (Tentative Map Approval or Disapproval). The Commission may impose conditions of approval in compliance with Section 36.510.080 (Conditions of Approval).

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

When a public hearing is required by this Zoning Code for a Tentative Map, the hearing shall be scheduled and conducted in compliance with this Section, with public notice being provided in compliance with Division 36.630 (Public Hearings) of this Zoning Code.

A. Scheduling of hearing, action. A public hearing on a Tentative Map shall be scheduled, and action shall be taken, within 50 days after the Tentative Map application has been deemed complete.

B. Distribution of staff report. The staff report on the Tentative Map shall be mailed to the subdivider (and each tenant of the subject property, in the case of a condominium conversion (Section 36.530.020)) at least three days before any hearing or action on the Tentative Map by the Commission.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

In order to approve a Tentative Map and conditions of approval, or to disapprove a Tentative Map, the Commission shall first make the findings required by this Section. In determining whether to approve a Tentative Map, the City shall apply only those ordinances, policies, and standards in effect at the date the Department determined that the application was complete in compliance with Section 36.510.030 (Tentative Map Filing, Initial Processing), except where the City has initiated General Plan, Specific Plan or Zoning & Subdivision Ordinance changes, and provided public notice as required by Map Act Section 66474.2.

A. Required findings for approval. The Commission may approve a Tentative Map only when it shall first find that the proposed subdivision, together with the provisions for its design and improvement, is consistent with the General Plan, and any applicable Specific Plan, and that none of the findings for denial in Subsection C. can be made. The findings shall apply to each proposed parcel as well as the entire subdivision, including any parcel identified as a designated remainder in compliance with Map Act Section 66424.6.

B. Supplemental findings. In addition to the findings required for approval of a Tentative Map by Subsection A. above, the Commission shall not approve a Tentative Map unless it can also make the following findings, when they are applicable to the specific subdivision proposal.

1. Construction of improvements. It is in the interest of the public health and safety, and it is necessary as a prerequisite to the orderly development of the surrounding area, to require the construction of road improvements within a specified time after recordation of the Parcel Map, where road improvements are required.

2. Condominiums. Any applicable findings required by Section 36.530.020 for condominium conversions.

3. Dedications or exactions. Findings documenting the need for dedications or exactions, if dedications or exactions are required.

4. Waiver of Parcel Map. The findings required by Section 36.520.030 (Waiver of Parcel Map), if waiver of a Parcel Map has been requested with the Tentative Map application.

C. Findings requiring denial. A Tentative Map shall be denied if the Commission makes any of the following findings:

1. The proposed subdivision including design and improvements is not consistent with the General Plan or any applicable Specific Plan;

2. The site is not physically suitable for the type or proposed density of development;

3. The design of the subdivision or the proposed improvements are likely to cause substantial environmental damage or injure fish or wildlife or their habitat;

4. The design of the subdivision or type of improvements is likely to cause serious public health or safety problems;

5. The design of the subdivision or the type of improvements will conflict with easements, acquired by the public at large for access through or use of, property within the proposed subdivision. This finding may not be made if the Commission finds that alternate easements for access or use will be provided, and that they will be substantially equivalent to ones previously acquired by the public. This finding shall apply only to easements of record, or to easements established by judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, and no authority is hereby granted to the review authority to determine that the public at large has acquired easements of access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision;

6. The discharge of sewage from the proposed subdivision into the community sewer system would result in violation of existing requirements prescribed by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board;

7. A preliminary soils report or geological hazard report indicates adverse soil or geological conditions and the subdivider has failed to provide sufficient information to the satisfaction of the City Engineer or the Commission that the conditions can be corrected in the plan for the development; or

8. The proposed subdivision is not consistent with all applicable provisions of this Zoning Code, any other applicable provisions of the Municipal Code, and the Subdivision Map Act.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

Along with the approval of a Tentative Map, the adoption of conditions of approval shall occur in compliance with this Section, provided that all conditions shall be consistent with the requirements of the Map Act.

A. Mandatory conditions. The Commission shall adopt conditions of approval that will:

1. Require that parcels, easements or rights-of-way be provided for streets, water supply and distribution systems, sewage disposal systems, storm drainage facilities, solid waste disposal, and public utilities providing electric, gas and communications services, as may be required to properly serve the subdivision. Easements for public utilities shall be limited to those needed to provide service to present and future development;

2. Mitigate or eliminate environmental problems identified through the environmental review process, except where a Statement of Overriding Consideration has been adopted in compliance with CEQA;

3. Carry out the specific requirements of Division 36.540 (Subdivision Design and Improvement Requirements);

4. Secure compliance with the requirements of this Zoning Code and the General Plan; and

5. Require that any designated remainder parcels not be subsequently sold or further subdivided unless a certificate or conditional certificate of compliance (Section 36.530.050) is obtained in compliance with this Zoning Code.

6. Require the dedication of additional land for bicycle paths, local transit facilities, (including bus turnouts, benches, shelters, etc.), sunlight easements, and school sites, in compliance with Map Act Chapter 4, Article 3, where required by the General Plan;

B. Optional conditions. The Commission may also require as conditions of approval:

1. The waiver of direct access rights to any existing or proposed streets;

2. The reservation of sites for public facilities, including schools, and fire stations, libraries, and other public uses in compliance with Map Act Chapter 4, Article 4;

3. Time limits or phasing schedules for the completion of conditions of approval, when deemed appropriate; or

4. Any other conditions deemed necessary by the review authority to achieve compatibility between the proposed subdivision, its immediate surroundings, and the community, or to achieve consistency with City ordinances or state law.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

The approval of a Tentative Map shall become effective for the purposes of filing a Parcel or Final Map, including compliance with conditions of approval, immediately after the adoption of the resolution of decision by the Council.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

A subdivider may request changes to an approved Tentative Map or its conditions of approval before recordation of a Parcel or Final Map in compliance with this Section. Changes to a Parcel or Final Map after recordation are subject to Section 36.520.130 (Amendments to Recorded Maps).

A. Limitation on allowed changes. Changes to a Tentative Map that may be requested by a subdivider in compliance with this Section include major adjustments to the location of proposed lot lines and improvements, and reductions in the number of approved lots (but no increase in the number of approved lots), and any changes to the conditions of approval, consistent with the findings required by Subsection D. of this Section. Other changes shall require the filing and processing of a new Tentative Map.

B. Application for changes. The subdivider shall file an application and filing fee with the Department, using the forms furnished by the Department, together with the following additional information:

1. A statement identifying the Tentative Map number, the features of the map or particular conditions to be changed and the changes requested, the reasons why the changes are requested, and any facts that justify the changes; and

2. Any additional information deemed appropriate by the Department.

C. Processing. Proposed changes to a Tentative Map or conditions of approval shall be processed in the same manner as the original Tentative Map, except as otherwise provided by this Section.

D. Findings for approval. The Commission shall not modify the approved Tentative Map or conditions of approval unless it shall first find that the change is necessary because of one or more of the following circumstances, and that all of the applicable findings for approval required by Sections 36.510.070.A and B. can still be made:

1. There was a material mistake of fact in the deliberations leading to the original approval;

2. There has been a change of circumstances related to the original approval; and

3. A serious and unforeseen hardship has occurred, not due to any action of the applicant subsequent to the enactment of this Zoning Code.

E. Effect of changes on time limits. Approved changes to a Tentative Map or conditions of approval shall not be considered as approval of a new Tentative Map, and shall not extend the time limits provided by Section 36.510.140 (Expiration of Approved Tentative Map).

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

A. Compliance with conditions, improvement plans. After approval of a Tentative Map pursuant to this Division, the subdivider shall proceed to fulfill the conditions of approval within any time limits specified by the conditions and the expiration of the map and, where applicable, shall prepare, file and receive approval of improvement plans in compliance with Division 36.540 (Subdivision Design and Improvement Requirements), before constructing any required improvements.

B. Parcel or Final Map preparation, filing and recordation.

1. A Parcel Map for a subdivision of four or fewer parcels shall be prepared, filed, processed and recorded in compliance with Division 36.520 (Parcel Maps and Final Maps), to complete the subdivision, unless a Parcel Map has been waived in compliance with Section 36.520.030 (Waiver of Parcel Map).

2. A Final Map for a subdivision of five or more parcels shall be prepared, filed, processed and recorded as set forth in Division 36.520 (Parcel Maps and Final Maps), to complete the subdivision.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

This Section establishes procedures to implement the Vesting Tentative Map requirements of state law, Sections 66498.1 et seq. of the Map Act.

A. Applicability. Whenever this Zoning Code requires that a Tentative Map be filed, a Vesting Tentative Map may instead be filed, provided that the Vesting Tentative Map is prepared, filed and processed in compliance with this Section. A Vesting Tentative Map

may be filed for either residential, commercial or industrial developments.

B. Procedures for processing a Vesting Tentative Map. A Vesting Tentative Map shall be filed in the same form, have the same contents and accompanying data and reports and, shall be processed in the same manner as set forth by this Division as a Tentative Map, except as follows.

1. Application content. The Vesting Tentative Map shall include the following information in addition to that required by Section 36.510.020 (Tentative Map Preparation, Application Contents):

a. Title. The Vesting Tentative Map shall be prepared with the words “Vesting Tentative Map” printed conspicuously on its face; and

b. Intended development. The Vesting Tentative Map application shall include accurately drawn, preliminary floor plans and architectural elevations for all buildings and structures intended to be constructed on the property after subdivision.

2. Findings for approval. The approval of a Vesting Tentative Map shall not be granted unless the Commission first determines that the intended development of the subdivision is consistent with the zoning regulations applicable to the property at the time of filing, in addition to all other findings required for Tentative Map approval by Section 36.510.070 (Tentative Map Approval or Disapproval).

C. Expiration of Vesting Tentative Map. An approved Vesting Tentative Map shall be subject to the same time limits for expiration as are established for Tentative Maps by Sections 36.510.130 et seq. (Tentative Map Time Limits).

D. Changes to approved map or conditions. The subdivider may apply for an amendment to the Vesting Tentative Map or conditions of approval at any time before the expiration of the Vesting Tentative Map. An amendment request shall be considered and processed through the same procedures as a new application, in compliance with this Section and pursuant to the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act Section 66498.2.

E. Development rights vested.

1. The approval of a Vesting Tentative Map shall confer a vested right to proceed with development of the subdivided lots in substantial compliance with the ordinances, policies and standards (excluding fees) as provided in Map Act Section 66498.1.

2. If Map Act Section 66474.2 is repealed, approval of a Vesting Tentative Map shall confer a vested right to proceed with development in substantial compliance with the ordinances, policies and standards in effect at the time the map is approved or conditionally approved.

3. Subsequent land use permits, building permits, extensions of time or other entitlements filed on parcels created by the subdivision may be conditioned or denied only if the Commission determines that:

a. A failure to do so would place the residents of the subdivision or the immediate community, or both, in a condition dangerous to their health or safety, or both; or

b. The condition or denial is required, in order to comply with state or federal law.

4. Fees charged for building or land use permits, filed after the approval of a Vesting Tentative Map shall be as required at the time the subsequent permit applications are filed, including any related utility or development impact fees (e.g., sewer/water hookup fees, traffic mitigation fees, etc.). Application contents shall be as required by ordinance requirements in effect at the time the subsequent application is filed.

F. Duration of vested rights. The development rights vested by this Section shall expire if a Parcel Map or Final Map is not approved before the expiration of the Vesting Tentative Map in compliance with Sections 36.510.130 et seq. (Tentative Map Time Limits). If the Parcel or Final Map is approved and recorded, the development rights shall be vested for the following periods of time.

1. An initial time period of 24 months from the date of recordation of the Parcel or Final Map. Where several Final Maps are recorded on various phases of a project covered by a single Vesting Tentative Map, this initial time period shall begin for each phase when the Final Map for that phase is recorded.

2. The initial 24 months shall be automatically extended by any time used for processing a complete application for a grading permit or for design or architectural review, if processing exceeds 30 days from the date the application is accepted for processing as complete.

3. The subdivider may apply for a one-year extension at any time before the initial 24 months expires. Application for an extension shall be submitted to the Department and shall be accompanied by the required fee. The Council shall approve or deny any request for extension.

4. If the subdivider submits a complete application for a building permit during the periods of time specified in Subsections F.1 and F.2 above, the vested rights shall continue until the expiration of the building permit, or any extension of that permit.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

The processing of a Tentative Map shall be completed, and an approved Tentative Map shall be subject to the time limits for expiration and procedures for extension in compliance with Sections 36.510.130 through 36.510.140.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

An approved Tentative Map is valid for 24 months after its effective date (Section 36.510.090), except as otherwise provided by Map Act Sections 66452.6, 66452.11, 66452.13, or 66463.5. At the end of 24 months, the approval shall expire and become void unless:

A. A Parcel or Final Map, and related bonds and improvement agreements, have been filed with the City Engineer in compliance with Division 36.520 (Parcel Maps and Final Maps); or

B. An extension of time has been granted in compliance with Section 36.510.150.

Expiration of an approved Tentative Map or vesting Tentative Map shall terminate all proceedings. The application shall not be reactivated unless a new Tentative Map application is filed.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

When a subdivider has not completed all Tentative Map conditions of approval and filed a Parcel or Final Map with the City within the time limits established by Section 36.510.130, time extensions may be granted in compliance with this Section. Extension requests shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Department on or before the date of expiration of the approval or previous extension, together with the required filing fee.

A. Tentative Maps and Vesting Tentative Maps. The Commission may grant extensions to the initial time limit up to a maximum total of three years, only after finding that:

1. There have been no changes to the provisions of the General Plan, any applicable Specific Plan or this Zoning Code applicable to the project since the approval of the Tentative Map;

2. There have been no changes in the character of the site or its surroundings that affect how the policies of the General Plan or other standards of this Zoning Code apply to the project; and

3. There have been no changes to the capacities of community resources, including but not limited to water supply, sewage treatment or disposal facilities, roads or schools so that there is no longer sufficient remaining capacity to serve the project.

(Ord. No. 2108 § 1.)

The Director shall be the Review Authority for Tentative Maps associated with eligible affordable housing applications as defined by Government Code Section 65913.4, including for condominium purposes. Ministerial approvals shall also apply to eligible projects as defined in Government Code Sections 66499.40 and 66499.41, and any other ministerial approval authority as prescribed in State law.

(Ord. No. 2394 § 4 (Exh. A), 2025.)

Division 36.520. Parcel Maps and Final Maps

Sections:

36.520.010 Purpose of Division.

36.520.020 Parcel Maps.

36.520.030 Waiver of Parcel Map.

36.520.040 Parcel Map Form and Content.

36.520.050 Filing and Processing of Parcel Maps.

36.520.060 Parcel Map Approval.

36.520.070 Final Maps.

36.520.080 Final Map Form and Content.

36.520.090 Filing and Processing of Final Maps.

36.520.100 Final Map Approval.

36.520.110 Supplemental Information Sheets.

36.520.120 Recordation of Maps.

36.520.130 Amendments to Recorded Maps.