SUBDIVISION REVIEW PROCESS

The City controls the proposed design and improvement of the subdivision.  As conditions to the map approval, the City may require dedications in lieu of fees, and the construction of public improvements reasonably required for the promotion of health, safety and welfare.

The goals of the Subdivision Map Act are:

To encourage orderly community development by providing for the regulation and control of the design and improvements of a subdivision with proper consideration of its relationship to adjoining areas;

To ensure the areas within the subdivision that are dedicated for public purposes will be properly improved by the subdivider so they will not become an undue burden on the community;

To protect the public and individual transferees from fraud and exploitation.

The Subdivision Map Act distinguishes between major (five or more parcels) and minor (four or fewer parcels) subdivisions.

Subdivision Map approval is generally a three-step process:

1.    Processing and approval of a tentative map

2.    Approval of a final map

3.    Recordation of the final map

Approval of a tentative map is considered discretionary because it requires findings and may be subject to reasonable conditions.  Approval of the final map is considered "ministerial" because approval is required if the final map is in substantial conformance with the approved tentative map.