Chapter 4

Within twenty-four (24) months after the approval or conditional approval of a tentative map, a subdivider may cause the proposed division of land to be accurately surveyed and a final map prepared and filed in the office of the County Recorder. The time limit for such filing may be extended by the Advisory Agency for periods not to exceed a total of three (3) additional years. (Ord. 82-601, § 4; Ord. 83-647, § 1)

9204.2 Time Limit on Parcel Maps.

Within twenty-four (24) months after the approval or conditional approval of a tentative map, a subdivider may cause the proposed division of land to be accurately surveyed, if necessary, and a final parcel map prepared and filed in the office of the County Recorder. The time limit for such filing may be extended by the Advisory Agency for periods not to exceed a total of three (3) additional years. (Ord. 83-601, § 5; Ord. 83-647, § 2)

9204.3 Conformity to the Tentative Map.

The tract map, parcel map, or waiver of a final map shall conform to the approved tentative map and to the requirements and conditions contained on the report approving the tentative map. No final tract map, final parcel map, or waiver of a final map shall be accepted by the City Engineer unless a tentative map or plat map has been approved by the City Council or Advisory Agency.

9204.4 Submission.

Final tract maps, final parcel maps, or Certificates of Compliance shall be submitted to the City Engineer. A subdivider shall submit sufficient copies of the final tract map, final parcel map, or Certificate of Compliance to permit the City Engineer to furnish copies to City Officers and Departments and to other public agencies which, in the opinion of the City Engineer, may have an interest in the map or certificate.

9204.5 Reports.

Each Officer or Department, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a print of a final tract map, final parcel map, or waiver of a final map, shall report, in writing, to the City Engineer as to the compliance or noncompliance of the map or waiver with the approved or conditionally approved tentative map.

9204.6 Dedications – Final Parcel Maps.

Dedications or grants of easements required as a condition precedent to filing a parcel map may be made either by certificate on the final parcel map or by separate instrument, accepted and recorded prior to or concurrently with the filing of the parcel map.

9204.7 Dedications – Reversion to Acreage.

The Advisory Agency may require dedications as a condition precedent to filing a map for the purpose of reverting to acreage land previously subdivided.

9204.8 Dedications – Streets, Highways, Alleys and Other Vehicular and Pedestrian Rights-of-Way.

Except as otherwise provided by this Section, streets, highways, alleys, and other vehicular and pedestrian rights-of-way, or portions thereof, which are required as a condition precedent to filing a tract map or parcel map, shall be offered for public use.

With the approval of the City Council, a street or alley which is intended to be kept physically closed to public travel or posted as a private right-of-way may be shown as a private street or alley. Private streets and alleys shall be conditionally dedicated, which offer may be accepted by the City Council, if the street or alley ceases to remain physically closed or posted and is open to public travel for a period of three (3) months or more.

9204.9 Future Streets and Alleys.

Future streets and alleys shall be offered for public use, which offer shall remain open for an indeterminate period of time until the City Council determines that the opening of the street or alley is warranted. The owners of the underlying fee to any portion of a future street or alley shall retain the right to any and all ordinary uses of such land, except the erection or construction thereon of any structure not ordinarily placed in public streets or alleys, until such time as the City Council opens the street or alley for public use.

9204.10 Access Rights.

Access to major and secondary highways and to local City streets shall be regulated by the Director of Public Works.

9204.11 Restricted Use Areas.

The right to restrict the erection of buildings or other structures within those portions of lots which are shown as being subject to flood hazard, inundation, or geological hazard on a tract map or parcel map shall be dedicated.

9204.12 Sewers and Drains.

If sewers or drains or both are required for the general use of lot owners in a division of land and such sewers or drains are not to be installed within public highways, streets, or alleys, the necessary easements shall be granted.

9204.13 Natural Watercourses.

In the event that a division of land is traversed by a major watercourse, channel, stream, swale, or creek, the Advisory Agency may require that an adequate right-of-way be dedicated for storm drainage purposes.

9204.14 Tract Maps and Parcel Maps – General Requirements.

a. Tract maps and parcel maps shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act and of this Chapter and shall be prepared by or under the direction of a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor.

b. The division of parcels which are not abutting shall be shown on separate maps, unless such parcels are separated because of the interposition of a highway, street, alley or railroad, or public utility, or flood control right-of-way.

c. Driveways delineated on the final map shall be labeled as “Fire Lane” if they are also for emergency vehicle use.

9204.15 Title Sheet.

a. The title sheet of each map shall contain a title, consisting of the words “Tract No.” and the map number on a tract map, or the words “Parcel Map No.” and the map number on a parcel map.

The title shall also contain the words “In the City of Carson” or “partly in the City of Carson and partly in . . .” (here insert the name for the political division involved).

b. The title sheet shall also contain a subtitle consisting of a description of all of the property being divided by reference to maps previously filed or recorded in the office of the County Recorder or previously filed with the County Clerk pursuant to a final judgment in any action in partition or by reference to the plat of a United States survey. Upon the title sheet of each map filed for the purpose of reverting subdivided land to acreage, the subtitle shall consist of the words “Being a Reversion to Acreage of . . .” (insert a legal description of the land being reverted). Each reference in these subtitles must be spelled out and worded identically to the original record thereof. A complete reference to the book and page of the cited record must be included.

c. The title sheet for a parcel map shall contain the certificate of the surveyor or engineer referred to in Section 66449 of the California Government Code. A title sheet for a tract map shall contain the certificate of the surveyor or engineer referred to in Section 66441 of the California Government Code. The title sheet or at least one (1) map sheet shall contain a basis of bearings, making reference to a filed tract map, County Surveyor’s map, or other record acceptable to the City Engineer, when the map is based upon a field survey.

d. Required certificates, affidavits, and acknowledgments may be legibly stamped or printed on the title sheet of a tract map or parcel map with opaque ink. All required signatures shall be written with black opaque ink. All such entries shall be readily reproducible by any normal method of reproduction

e. If the Advisory Agency approves a division of land for lease purposes only, for stock cooperative purposes, for condominium purposes, or for mobile home purposes only, there shall appear on each sheet of a final tract map or final parcel map of the division in letters not less than one-fourth inch in height the words: “DIVISION OF LAND FOR PURPOSE OF LEASE ONLY,” “DIVISION OF LAND FOR STOCK COOPERATIVE PURPOSES,” “DIVISION OF LAND FOR CONDOMINIUM PURPOSES,” or “DIVISION OF LAND FOR MOBILE HOME PURPOSES ONLY” respectively.

9204.16 Map Sheets – Format.

On each sheet of a final tract map or final parcel map, the lettering shall be oriented so that, with the north point directed away from the reader, the map may be read most conveniently from the lower right hand corner of the sheet or to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. Each map sheet shall bear the main title of the map, the scale, north point, sheet number, and designation of the relation, if any, between the sheet and each other sheet comprising the final tract map or final parcel map.

9204.17 Repealed.

9204.18 Lot Numbers and Area Designation.

All lots shall be numbered. Lot numbers shall begin with the numeral “1” and continue consecutively without omission or duplication throughout the entire map. No prefix or suffix or combination of letter and number shall be used. Each lot shall be shown entirely on one (1) sheet. Upon each lot containing an area of three-fourths of an acre or more shall be designated the acreage of the lot to the nearest one-hundredth of an acre.

9204.19 Lot, Block, and Boundary Lines.

The bearing and length of each lot, block, and boundary line shall be shown on a tract map or parcel map, except that, when bearings and lengths of lot lines in a series of lots are the same, the bearings or lengths may be omitted from each interior, parallel lot line of the series. Each required bearing or length shall be shown in full, and no ditto mark or other designation of repetition shall be used. The length, radius, and total central angle or bearings of terminal radii of each curve and the bearing of each radial line to each lot corner on each curve, or the central angle of each segment within each lot, shall be shown.

9204.20 Widths and Centerlines of Streets, Highways, Alleys, and Other Ways.

Each tract map or parcel map shall show the centerline, the total width, and the width on each side of the centerline of each street, highway, alley, or other way appearing on the map. The bearing and length of each tangent and the radius, central angle, and length of each curve shall be shown on each centerline. The map shall also show the width of right-of-way to be dedicated on the map when only a portion of a street, highway, alley, or way is within the map boundary.

9204.21 Private and Future Streets and Alleys.

Tract maps and parcel maps shall show sufficient mathematical data to clearly indicate the portion of each lot which is within private and/or future streets or alleys, in addition to the width and centerline detail required by CMC 9204.20. Right-of-way lines for private and/or future streets or alleys shall be dashed. Each private or future street or alley shall be clearly identified as such.

9204.22 Street and Highway Names.

a. Tract maps and parcel maps shall show the name of each highway or street, other than a future street, appearing on the map. Street and highway names shall be shown in or arrowed to the right-of-way.

b. If only a portion of a street or highway is to be dedicated on a map, the street or highway name shall be shown or arrowed into both the portion to be dedicated and the existing portion of the street or highway.

c. The word “Avenue,” “Street,” “Place,” or other street or highway designation shall be spelled out in full.

9204.23 Railroad, Transmission Line, and Flood Control Rights-of-Way.

Tract maps and parcel maps shall show the width and location of each railroad or transmission line right-of-way, flood control channel, or other similar rights-of-way appearing on the map. Rights-of-way which appear on a map as a lot or a series of lots shall be shown as provided in CMC 9204.18 and 9204.19.

9204.24 Easements Required – Tract Maps and Parcel Maps.

Tract maps and parcel maps shall show all easements or restrictions which are a burden upon lots in the division or reversion or which are required as a condition precedent to filing the map.

9204.25 Easements – How Shown.

The centerlines or sidelines of each easement shall be shown. Widths, centerline or sideline data, and ties shall be shown, as necessary, to definitely locate each easement. Easement sidelines shall be shown as fine dashed lines. Distances and bearings on the sidelines of lots which are cut by easements shall be arrowed or otherwise shown so as to clearly indicate the actual length of each lot line. Each easement shall be clearly labeled and identified and, if of record, the record reference shall be shown thereon. If an easement is to be granted by separate instrument, the record reference shall be shown on the map prior to the time of filing. Notes or figures pertaining to easements shall be subordinated in form and appearance to other notes or figures on the map. If an easement cannot be definitely located, a statement showing the existence of such easement shall be placed on the map.

9204.26 City Boundary Lines.

Tract maps and parcel maps shall show each City boundary line crossing or adjoining a division or reversion. Each such line shall be clearly designated and tied.

9204.27 Lots Subject to Flood Hazard, Inundation, or Geological Hazard.

If any portion of a lot shown on a tract map or parcel map is subject to flood hazard, inundation, or geological hazard, and the hazard is not to be removed as a condition precedent to filing the map, the hazard area and a prominent note identifying the hazard shall be shown on the map.

9204.28 Natural Watercourse Designation.

In the event that dedication of right-of-way for storm drainage purposes is not required, the Advisory Agency may require that a tract map or parcel map show the location of any natural watercourse, stream, channel, swale, or creek which traverses the map.

9204.29 Parcel Maps – Compiled from Record Data.

If a parcel map is compiled from record data, the source of information used shall be contained in a note on one (1) sheet of the map.

9204.30 Evidence Determining Boundary.

Each tract map and each parcel map for which a survey is required shall show evidence found on the ground of sufficient corners of prior surveys or such other evidence as may be suitable to precisely locate the boundaries of the division or reversion shown on the map. Each stake, monument, or other object found shall be fully described and referenced. The method used to establish each point or line shall be clearly shown and explained on the map.

9204.31 Survey Procedure and Practice.

The procedure and practice for all survey work done for preparation of a tract map or parcel map shall conform to the standards and details set forth in Chapter 15, Division 3, of the California Business and Professions Code, the Land Surveyor’s Act. The allowable error of closure on any portion of a tract map or parcel map shall be one-ten-thousandth (1/10,000).

In the event that the County Engineer, County Road Commissioner, the State Highway Engineer, or City Engineer shall have established the centerline of any highway, street, or alley shown on a tract map or parcel map, the map shall show such centerline, together with a reference to a field book or map showing such centerline and the monuments which determine its position. If determined by ties, that fact shall be stated upon the tract map or parcel map.

9204.32 Monuments.

a. Each tract map and each parcel map for which a survey is required shall show durable monuments found or set at or near each boundary corner and at intermediate points, approximately one thousand (1,000) feet apart, or at such lesser distances as may be made necessary by topography to ensure accuracy in the reestablishment of any point or line without unreasonable difficulty. The precise position and character of each such monument shall be shown on the map. Such durable monument shall be not less substantial than an iron pipe of a two (2) inch outside diameter, not less than two and one-half (2-1/2) feet in length, with plug and tack, and set at least two (2) feet into the ground or of such other character and stability as may be approved by the City Engineer. For the purposes of this Chapter, a lead and tack set in permanent concrete or masonry shall be considered as a durable monument. The approximate elevation of the top of each such monument with respect to the surface of the ground shall be shown on said map.

b. Whenever necessary, in the opinion of the City Engineer, centerline monuments shall be set to mark intersections of streets or intersections of streets with the map boundary or to mark either the beginning and end of curves or the points of intersections of tangents thereof or other intermediate points.

Each such monument shall be not less durable and substantial than a lead and tack in asphaltic concrete or cement pavements; a two (2) inch iron pipe set not less than twelve (12) inches below the surface, or at such depth as may be approved by the City Engineer; or a spike not less than six (6) inches long in bituminous macadam pavements.

For each centerline monument set, the engineer or surveyor under whose supervision the survey has been made shall furnish to the City Engineer a set of notes, clearly showing the ties between the monument and a sufficient number (normally four (4)) of durable, distinctive reference points or monuments.

Such reference points or monuments may be leads and tacks in sidewalks, or two (2) inch by two (2) inch stakes setback of the curbline and below the surface of the ground, or a substitute therefor which appears to be not likely to be disturbed.

Each set of notes submitted shall conform in all respects to the standardized office records of the City Engineer. All such notes shall be indexed and filed by the City Engineer as a part of the permanent public records of his office.

c. All monuments found or set as required herein shall be permanently and visibly marked or tagged with the registration or license number of the engineer or surveyor under whose supervision the survey was made.

d. At least one (1) exterior boundary line of the land being subdivided shall be monumented prior to the filing of the final tract map or final parcel map. Interior street centerline monuments and the remainder of the boundary monuments may be set subsequent to filing the final tract map or final parcel map. The tract map or parcel map shall show which monuments are in place and which are to be set. Prior to certification of the tract map or parcel map by the City Engineer, the subdivider shall submit a written agreement in which he agrees that monuments deferred will be set within a specified time and that the notes required in CMC 9204.32(b) will be furnished within a specified time.

e. All monuments shall be subject to inspection and approval of the City Engineer.

9204.33 Evidence of Title – Tract Maps and Parcel Maps.

The evidence of title required for tract maps and parcel maps where signatures appear on the final map by the provisions of Section 66465 of the California Government Code shall be a certificate of title or a guarantee of title issued by a title insurance company authorized by the laws of the State of California to write the same, showing the names of all persons having any record title interest in the land to be subdivided, together with the nature of their respective interests therein. In the event that land in the City of Carson is to be dedicated, the certificate of title or guarantee of title shall be issued for the benefit and protection of the City of Carson. The certificate or guarantee shall be dated and delivered upon request of the City Engineer when the map is ready for filing.

9204.35 Easement Certificate – Tract Maps and Parcel – Maps.

Tract maps or parcel maps on which easements are offered for public use shall have written thereon, in addition to or as a part of any other certificate required, a certificate signed by any persons claiming an interest in the lands included within the division or reversion shown on the map, other than an interest which cannot ripen into a fee, in substantially the following form:

We hereby certify that, except as shown on a copy of this map on file in the office of the City Director of Public Works, we know of no easement or structure existing within the easements hereby offered for dedication to the public, other than publicly owned water lines, sewers, or storm drains; that we will grant no right or interest within the boundaries of said easements offered to the public except where such right or interest is expressly made subject to the said easements.

9204.36 Separate Instruments – Preparation and Evidence of Title.

Separate instruments shall be prepared by the City Engineer. When dedicating by separate instrument, the subdivider shall submit a title report, prepared in favor of the City, which indicates who is required to sign the separate instrument to pass clear title to the City. This title report shall be kept up-to-date and the City shall be notified of any change until such time as the separate instrument is recorded.

9204.37 Record Title Interests on Parcel Maps.

The signatures of all parties having any record title interest in the real property being subdivided shall not be required on any final parcel map unless dedications or offers of dedication are made by certificate on the parcel map.

9204.38 Evidence of Title for Parcel Maps.

Evidence of title shall be submitted with all final parcel maps. If no signatures appear on the final parcel map, the evidence of title may be a preliminary title report/guarantee. This shall show all fee interest holders, all interest holders whose interest could ripen into a fee, all trust deeds, together with the name of the trustee, and all easement holders.