Yorba Linda Municipal Code Ch. 18.21 Lot Consolidation Incentives

The purpose and intent of this chapter is to facilitate housing development through the consolidation of multiple adjacent parcels. Lot consolidation is intended to incentivize development in underutilized areas of the City and to support multi-family residential developments that are affordable for moderate- and lower income households. This Chapter is adopted in accordance with State law and to implement programs of the Housing Element.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

"Lot consolidation"

means the combining of existing adjacent parcels into fewer, larger parcels through the elimination or modification of shared property lines.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

This chapter shall be applicable to properties in the Residential Multiple-Family zones (R-M, R-M-20, and R-M-30) or the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) zone.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

In addition to the lot area requirements provided in Chapter 18.10, the size and shape of each newly created lot shall be adequate to allow the full development of the allowed uses in a manner consistent with the following:

A. Promote safe and orderly access and circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic within the site and from public streets and adjacent developments;

B. Provide functional use of space between structures and sufficient areas for parking, access, and landscaping;

C. Ensure the compatibility of the site development with surrounding development in regard to size, scale, building and site design, and limitation of overshadowing effects; and

D. Shall not limit or adversely affect the growth and development potential of adjacent properties or the general area in which the proposed development will be located.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

For the purposes of this chapter, lot consolidation may be approved by parcel map or lot line adjustment for four or fewer adjoining parcels, or by lot merger, according to procedures described in Title 17 Subdivisions and in accordance with California Government Code Section 66410.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

A. A housing development project that proposes or has received approval for consolidation of existing contiguous lots into a development site of one acre or greater shall be eligible for one additional incentive above the number of incentives allowed for the project under State Density Bonus Law (California Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918) and Chapter 18.19 of the Yorba Linda Municipal Code.

B. A housing development project that proposes or has received approval for consolidation of existing contiguous lots into a development site of two acres or greater shall be eligible for two of the following incentives:

1. One additional incentive above the number of incentives allowed for the project under State Density Bonus Law (California Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918) and Chapter 18.19 of the Yorba Linda Municipal Code.

2. Expedited review of the planning entitlement application, excluding environmental review and tribal consultation: projects with 150 units or more that are eligible for streamlining pursuant to Article 10 of Chapter 18.36 shall be eligible for a consistency review of 30 days.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

Applications for lot consolidation incentives shall be completed, filed, and processed in accordance with this chapter. Applications for lot consolidation incentives shall be processed concurrently with a discretionary planning application for development and cannot be applied for or granted in the absence of a proposed development. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide documentation proving the proposed development takes place on a lot which has been consolidated. The review authority required by the discretionary planning application shall review any application for lot consolidation incentives, and shall grant such incentives unless the review authority makes the findings outlined in Section 18.21.080.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

Lot consolidation incentives as outlined in Section 18.21.060 shall be granted unless, on the basis of substantial evidence, the review authority makes either of the following findings:

A. The incentives would have a specific adverse impact (as defined in California Government Code Section 65623(a)(2)) upon public health and safety or the physical environment or on any real property that is listed in the California Register of Historical Resources, in the National Register of Historic Places, or in a local historic register and for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact.

B. The incentives would be contrary to state or federal law.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

The decision may be appealed to the Director, Planning Commission, or City Council, as applicable, by the applicant or any other interested party, in accordance with the procedures described in Article 9 of Chapter 18.36.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

Approved lot consolidation incentives shall form part of the planning application with which they are associated and last only as long as the entitlement associated with the planning application. Any approved incentives will terminate and become null and void upon the expiration of the entitlement unless a building permit is issued and construction is commenced on the site. Lot consolidation incentives may be renewed pursuant to the approved conditions of approval for the project and in alignment with any extensions granted to the associated entitlement.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)

Lot consolidation incentives granted subject to a condition or conditions of approval shall be revoked if the condition or conditions are not satisfied. The revocation process will be initiated by the Director or designee upon identifying non-compliance with the stipulated conditions. A notice of intent to revoke will be issued to the applicant, who will have an opportunity to remedy the non-compliance within a specified period. If the conditions remain unmet, the Director or designee shall finalize the revocation, and the incentives shall be deemed null and void.

(Ord. 2026-1132, 8/18/2026)