Expert SB-9 Lot Split Surveys in California

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Senate Bill 9 allows many single-family homeowners to engage in an urban lot split, enabling them to split one lot into two. The state mandates that cities review these applications ministerially, adhering to objective standards rather than using a discretionary hearing. This process can significantly expedite a qualifying project compared to a standard subdivision. To determine if your lot qualifies and how the new parcel lines should be delineated, lot split surveys in California become essential. This is where we come in; we handle that crucial assessment for you.

What we check before you invest in design:

1. Whether your lot is situated in a designated urbanized area or urban cluster, as required by state law.

2. If the proposed split maintains both resulting parcels at least 40% of the original lot size, which is the minimum ratio allowed under SB-9.

3. Access requirements, since each new parcel must have street frontage, an alley, or another qualifying means of access.

4. Local objective standards your city has adopted beyond the state minimums, which can vary by location.

What we provide:

- A feasibility review of your lot’s size, shape, and access before you commit to your urban lot split project.

- Boundary survey of the existing lot.

- Preparation and processing of tentative and final parcel maps.

- Legal descriptions for the new parcels.

- Monumentation of the new lot line, including corner records and Record of Survey filings at the County Surveyor.

A few things worth knowing going in:

An SB-9 lot split does not trigger a property tax reassessment under Proposition 13. Additionally, it bypasses CEQA environmental review, which is a key reason the process is swifter than a conventional subdivision. Most cities, however, require the property owner to sign an affidavit agreeing to occupy one of the resulting units as their primary residence for a specified period after recordation. Consequently, this isn't merely an investment play devoid of any residency commitment. Rules regarding rent-controlled units, recently-tenanted properties, and specific protected land types could disqualify a lot outright, making an early feasibility check through our urban lot split services a prudent step before you invest in architectural plans.

Where this applies:

Being state law, SB-9 applies across Orange County, although each city imposes its own objective standards in addition to the state minimums. We take care of navigating the local layer from Dana Point to San Clemente to Laguna Niguel and beyond, ensuring that you're informed about which regulations are state-mandated and which are specific to your city.