Parcel Maps - Procedure - Government - CA

Section § 66463

This law explains how local governments in California can manage the processing and approval of parcel maps. The rules and procedures are mainly determined by local ordinances, but there's a reference to specific sections for dedications on maps. Local agencies have the option to allow designated officials, like the county engineer or surveyor, to approve or reject these dedications. If a legislative body is responsible for approval, the procedure for final maps applies. There are also strict time limits for approving tentative and non-tentative parcel maps, as specified in other sections.

(a) Except as otherwise provided for in this code, the procedure for processing, approval, conditional approval, or disapproval and filing of parcel maps and modifications thereof shall be as provided by local ordinance. The provisions of Sections 66477.1, 66477.2, and 66477.3 relating to dedications and offers of dedication on final maps, shall apply to dedications and offers of dedications on parcel maps.

(b) Whenever a local agency provides, by ordinance, for the approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of parcel maps by the county engineer, surveyor, or other designated official, the local agency may also, by ordinance, provide that the officer may accept or reject dedications and offers of dedication that are made by a statement on the map.

(c) Whenever a local agency provides, by ordinance, for the approval of parcel maps by the legislative body, the parcel maps shall be filed pursuant to the procedure for final maps as prescribed by Sections 66457 and 66458.

(d) The time limits for action or approval of a tentative map and parcel map for which a tentative map is not required shall be no longer than the time limits contained in Sections 66452.1 and 66452.2.

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Section § 66463.1

This law states that if you have an approved or conditionally approved tentative map, you can file multiple parcel maps for it before the tentative map expires. You can do this in two ways: either by letting the advisory or local agency know in writing when you file the tentative map that you plan to file multiple parcel maps, or by agreeing with the local agency after filing the tentative map to submit multiple parcel maps.

You don't need to specify the number or layout of these parcel maps upfront. Filing a parcel map for part of the tentative map doesn’t invalidate the rest. The local agency still has the power to apply reasonable conditions when you file multiple parcel maps.

Multiple parcel maps filed pursuant to Section 66426 relating to an approved or conditionally approved tentative map may be filed prior to the expiration of the tentative map if either condition is satisfied:

(a) The subdivider, at the time the tentative map is filed, provides a written notice to the advisory agency or the local agency of the subdivider’s intention to file multiple parcel maps on the tentative map.

(b) After filing of the tentative map, the local agency and the subdivider concur in the filing of multiple parcel maps.

In providing the notice specified in subdivision (a), the subdivider shall not be required to define the number or configuration of the proposed multiple parcel maps. The filing of a parcel map on a portion of an approved or conditionally approved tentative map shall not invalidate any part of the tentative map. The right of the subdivider to file multiple parcel maps shall not limit the authority of the local agency to impose reasonable conditions relating to the filing of multiple parcel maps.

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Section § 66463.5

This law outlines the rules around the expiration and extension of tentative maps required for dividing land into parcels. Initially, a tentative map expires 24 months after approval, but local laws may extend this up to 12 more months. If it expires, all proceedings stop unless a new map is processed. Subdividers can apply for an extension before it expires, which can prolong the map's validity up to six years in total, with an automatic 60-day extension during the review of their application. If an advisory agency denies an extension, the landowner can appeal to a legislative body within 15 days.

If a development moratorium (e.g., water or sewer issues) arises after approval, normal expiry is paused during the moratorium, not exceeding five years. Once the moratorium ends, the map is valid for the remaining period or at least 120 days. The expiry period is also paused during lawsuits if a local agency approves a stay on the timeframe, which can last up to five years.

(a) When a tentative map is required, an approved or conditionally approved tentative map shall expire 24 months after its approval or conditional approval, or after any additional period of time as may be prescribed by local ordinance, not to exceed an additional 12 months.

(b) The expiration of the approved or conditionally approved tentative map shall terminate all proceedings, and no parcel map of all or any portion of the real property included within the tentative map shall be filed without first processing a new tentative map. Once a timely filing is made, subsequent actions of the local agency, including, but not limited to, processing, approving, and recording, may lawfully occur after the date of expiration of the tentative map. Delivery to the county surveyor or city engineer shall be deemed a timely filing for purposes of this section.

(c) Upon application of the subdivider filed prior to the expiration of the approved or conditionally approved tentative map, the time at which the map expires may be extended by the legislative body or by an advisory agency authorized to approve or conditionally approve tentative maps for a period or periods not exceeding a total of six years. Prior to the expiration of an approved or conditionally approved tentative map, upon the application by the subdivider to extend that map, the map shall automatically be extended for 60 days or until the application for the extension is approved, conditionally approved, or denied, whichever occurs first. If the advisory agency denies a subdivider’s application for an extension, the subdivider may appeal to the legislative body within 15 days after the advisory agency has denied the extension.

(d)

(1) The period of time specified in subdivision (a) shall not include any period of time during which a development moratorium, imposed after approval of the tentative map, is in existence. However, the length of the moratorium shall not exceed five years.

(2) Once a moratorium is terminated, the map shall be valid for the same period of time as was left to run on the map at the time that the moratorium was imposed. However, if the remaining time is less than 120 days, the map shall be valid for 120 days following the termination of the moratorium.

(e) The period of time specified in subdivision (a), including any extension thereof granted pursuant to subdivision (c), shall not include the period of time during which a lawsuit involving the approval or conditional approval of the tentative map is, or was, pending in a court of competent jurisdiction, if the stay of the time period is approved by the local agency pursuant to this section. After service of the initial petition or complaint in the lawsuit upon the local agency, the subdivider may apply to the local agency for a stay pursuant to the local agency’s adopted procedures. Within 40 days after receiving the application, the local agency shall either stay the time period for up to five years or deny the requested stay. The local agency may, by ordinance, establish procedures for reviewing the requests, including, but not limited to, notice and hearing requirements, appeal procedures, and other administrative requirements.

(f) For purposes of this section, a development moratorium shall include a water or sewer moratorium or a water and sewer moratorium, as well as other actions of public agencies that regulate land use, development, or the provision of services to the land, including the public agency with the authority to approve or conditionally approve the tentative map, which thereafter prevents, prohibits, or delays the approval of a parcel map.

(g) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a), (b), and (c), for the purposes of Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 66498.1), subdivisions (b), (c), and (d) of Section 66498.5 shall apply to vesting tentative maps prepared in connection with a parcel map except that, for purposes of this section, the time periods specified in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d) of Section 66498.5 shall be determined from the recordation of the parcel map instead of the final map.

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