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La Mesa · Building on your lot

Lot splits under SB 9 in La Mesa

La Mesa's own rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

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Each rule below links to the section of the La Mesa Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What La Mesa's code says

La Mesa code What La Mesa's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • 1 parcel may not be smaller than 40% of the original parcel's area.
    Applies: Applies to 1 of the parcels from an urban lot split.
    § 22.045.010 · code text
    Parcels created by an urban lot split shall have a minimum area of one thousand two hundred square feet, and one of the parcels shall not be less than forty percent of the area of the original parcel before subdivision.
Minimum new lot size
  • Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet.
    § 22.045.010 · code text
    Parcels created by an urban lot split shall have a minimum area of one thousand two hundred square feet, and one of the parcels shall not be less than forty percent of the area of the original parcel before subdivision.
Standards
  • At least 2 units of at least 800 square feet each may not be prevented on each lot.
    Applies: Applies to each lot of a parcel otherwise eligible for an urban lot split.
    § 22.045.010 · code text
    Notwithstanding any other provision, regulation, or standard, the development of at least two units of a minimum of eight hundred square feet shall not be precluded on each lot of a parcel otherwise eligible for an urban lot split.
  • Each lot must front on a dedicated street or a street offered for dedication.
    Applies: Applies to each lot, except where access by private road easement is allowed.
    § 22.045.030 · code text
    Except as provided in Section 22.045.030D, each lot shall have frontage on a dedicated street or a street offered for dedication; provided that access to the land to be subdivided may be effected by a private road easement, if no access to the property to be subdivided exists on the effective date of this title, and subdivision of the area to provide improved street access would not be practical without extensive redevelopment because of the built-up character of the area.
  • The access easement must be at least 16 feet wide.
    Applies: Applies to an easement serving 1 single-family home, where private easement access is allowed.
    § 22.045.030 · code text
    Sixteen feet for an easement serving a one-family dwelling
  • The access easement must be at least 22 feet wide.
    Applies: Applies to an easement serving 2 or more homes, where private easement access is allowed.
    § 22.045.030 · code text
    Twenty-two feet for an easement serving two or more family dwelling units.
  • A pedestrian easement at least 5 feet wide and no more than 200 feet long.
    Applies: Applies to lots without direct street access where parking is not required and none is provided.
    § 22.045.030 · code text
    In such circumstances for lots that do not have direct access to a public street, a pedestrian easement of a minimum of five feet in width and not more than two hundred feet in length shall be provided from the public street to the lot.
  • About at right angles to straight streets, or radial to curved streets.
    Applies: Applies to the side lines of lots with street frontage.
    § 22.045.030 · code text
    The side lines of lots with street frontage shall be approximately at right angles to the street line on straight streets or radial to curved streets.
Owner occupancy
  • At least 3 years living in 1 unit as principal residence, stated in a signed affidavit.
    Applies: Applies to applicants, except a community land trust or qualified nonprofit corporation.
    § 22.045.010 · code text
    Prior to recordation of the urban lot split parcel map, an applicant, except a community land trust or qualified nonprofit corporation, for an urban lot split shall sign an affidavit that the applicant intends to occupy one of the housing units as their principal residence for a minimum of three years from the date of approval of the urban lot split.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in La Mesa?

La Mesa's code: 1 parcel may not be smaller than 40% of the original parcel's area. (Applies to 1 of the parcels from an urban lot split.) (§ 22.045.010); Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet. (§ 22.045.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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