Summary

A “Lot line adjustment” is a relocation of property lines between four or fewer adjacent parcels. This brochure describes the standards for lot line adjustments.

Additional Building Sites

A lot line adjustment cannot be used to make a parcel buildable. A lot must be buildable before a lot line adjustment is approved if it is to be buildable afterwards, with the exception that an unbuildable lot may be folded into a buildable parcel without affecting the resulting parcel’s buildability. But lot that is not buildable for whatever reason (e.g. lack of access, unstable slopes, inadequate sewage disposal, etc.) cannot be made buildable by means of a boundary adjustment.

Parcel Legality

Lot line adjustments are allowed only between legally created parcels. A vacant parcel involved in a lot line adjustment must be shown to be a legal parcel before the lot line adjustment can be approved, except where the entirety of the vacant parcel will become part of one or more existing legally created parcels.

Minimum Parcel Size

The resulting parcels must each meet the minimum parcel size as required by the zoning designation (see table below). Minimum parcel size is based on gross site area. Gross site is equal to the total area of a parcel minus any areas of coastal bluffs, beaches or lands seaward of the mean high tide line of Monterey Bay (13.10.323(B)(1)).

Additional Information

No minimum parcel size is required in the following situations:

• The lot line adjustment is to correct the encroachment of a structure, driveway or other property improvement over the property line, where the structure or property improvement is otherwise lawfully developed, and where the resulting lot line meets the required minimum setbacks from the encroaching structure or property improvement, or any approved variance therefrom (Section 14.01.105-L(1)). Property improvements can include underground improvements such as wells, septic systems and leach fields.
• The lot line adjustment results in an equal exchange of land and each resulting parcel is the same size after the lot line adjustment as before (Section 14.01.105-L(2)).
• All parcels are designated for commercial use and are located within a Village/Community Plan area.