Lot Line Adjustments

What is a plat map?

A map of the existing and proposed property boundaries prepared by a registered civil engineer or land surveyor. It is the visual map that coincides with the legal description.

What is a Legal Description?

A legal description is a metes-and-bounds description of the proposed (adjusted) properties. A registered civil engineer or land surveyor must prepare the legal description.

What is a Notice of Lot Line Adjustment?

It is a document that indicates the property owner's/trustee's and City's consent to adjust the property lines, referred to as Notice of Lot Line Adjustment, that is recorded with the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's office on to the subject property(ies). The plat and legal description required by the Public Works Department is attached to the Notice of Lot Line Adjustment. All parties must have notarized signatures on the document for recordation with the County. 

The Notice of Lot Line Adjustment does not revise the property lines by itself. A grant deed is required with the Notice to change the property lines. The property owner is essentially granting the land to themselves using the new legal description of the adjusted parcels. 

Permit Required

A Lot Line Adjustment requires a two-part approval - first an application for approval by the Planning Division, then an application for a Grant Deed for Lot Line Adjustment by the Public Works Department. 

Cost

• Planning Lot Line Adjustment: $3,750
• Public Works Grant Deed/Notice of Lot Line Adjustment: $3,963.04

Timeline

Typical Time to Receive Approval: 3 months

Process

To apply for a Planning Lot Line Adjustment Approval:

1. Submit your application online to the Planning Division.
2. Once your application inquiry is received, City staff will follow up with you to coordinate submitting fee payment. 
3. Once your application is received, City staff has 30 days to determine if your application is complete or if additional information or corrections are required. Your permit will be reviewed by other City Departments.  
4. If corrections are required or you are missing or have incomplete information, then you will need to address the corrections or requests for additional information and resubmit online.
5. City staff will review your resubmittal within 30 days to confirm you have addressed all comments and corrections. Each subsequent review cycle City staff has 30 days to give you comments.
6. Once your application is complete and in good order, your permit will be approved by City staff. You can then proceed to submit for a Grant Deed with Public Works. 

To apply for the Public Works Grant Deed/Notice of Lot Line Adjustment:

1. Submit your application online to the Public Works Department.
2. Once your application inquiry is received, City staff will follow up with you to coordinate submitting fee payment. 
3. Once your application is received, City staff has 30 days to determine if your application is complete or if additional information or corrections are required.  
4. If corrections are required or you are missing or have incomplete information, then you will need to address the corrections or requests for additional information and resubmit online.
5. City staff will review your resubmittal within 30 days to confirm you have addressed all comments and corrections. Each subsequent review cycle City staff has 30 days to give you comments.
6. Once your application is complete and in good order, City staff will sign the Notice of Lot Line Adjustment.
7. After City staff has signed the Notice of Lot Line Adjustment, your title company records the Notice of Lot Line Adjustment concurrent with the lot line adjustment deed at the Santa Clara County Recorder's Office. Some complex lot line adjustments may require ancillary documents to be recorded with the lot line adjustment at the County. 

Requirements

For the Planning Application

1. A plot plan drawn to scale with the following:
   1. Includes date, north arrow, scale, and title
   2. Shows existing and proposed lot boundaries
   3. Includes existing and proposed lot areas (in square feet)
   4. Include Assessor Parcel Numbers of the existing lots
   5. Location, width, and purpose of all existing and proposed easements on the lots.
   6. Includes footprints of any existing and proposed buildings
   7. Shows any heritage trees that are affected by the proposed lot line adjustment.
   8. Names and lines of existing streets that are adjacent to the lots.
   9. Name of the property owners and person who prepared the plat
   10. One half-inch (1/2") margins.

2. A preliminary title report for all property subject to the application. 

For Public Works Grant Deed/Notice of Lot Line Adjustment Application

1. A plat and legal description of the adjusted parcels prepared and signed by a qualified Registered Civil Engineer or Land Surveyor. Included in the plat and legal description is:
   1. All bearings and distances appropriate for the description and clarity.
   2. Area, in square feet, to be indicated on plat and legal description of area being transferred, dedicated, etc. Also indicate the remainder area of the lot, if applicable.
   3. Existing designations such as map number, lot number, subdivision recording date and/or document number.
   4. Location, width and purpose of all existing and proposed easements.
   5. Abutting lot recorded information.
   6. Abutting streets, alleys, centerlines, right-of-way, and those dimension widths.
   7. Identify the basis of bearings on plat and legal description (provide map/document).
   8. Legal description and closure calculations to read clockwise.
   9. Existing lot line(s), lot line(s) deleted, and/or new adjusted lot line(s) to be clearly identified.
   10. Vicinity map, if necessary.
   11. North arrow, scale bar, and date.
   12. One-half inch (1/2") margins on plat.
   13. Legal description shall be titled "Exhibit A, Legal Description."
   14. Plat shall be titled "Exhibit B" and be referenced as such in legal description.
   15. If more than one plate sheet is needed, a key map showing al subject parcels is required.
   16. Wet stamped and signed Engineer/Surveyor seal on plat and legal description.
2. A current title report for all parcels (current within 6 months)
3. Current Grant Deeds for all parcels
4. Copy of all referenced maps, documents, and/or deeds used to prepare the plat and legal description
5. Closure/area calculations to verify all descriptions. Indicate degree of accuracy (0.001 minimum accuracy required).
6. Unsigned copy of the new Grant Deed to adjust the property lines
7. Copy of the Planning Division letter of approval