LAND SURVEYING
Part three of a series
PARCEL MAPS

By Katrina M. Olsen, L.S. 7058

Part three of this series is on parcel maps. There are several different ways to divide property and a parcel map is just one of them. In order to determine which process should be used, a conference check sheet needs to be filled out at Fresno County as previously mentioned in part two of this series. The check sheet will indicate which process needs to be used. If it is determined that a parcel map is required to divide the property, the following will give you an idea of what to expect.

The parcel map process is basically a two step process. The first step is the tentative parcel map and the second step is the final parcel map. During the first step you propose to the county how you want to divide you property and after reviewing your application they issue conditions of approval. During the second step you meet those conditions to complete the parcel map.

The tentative parcel map can be prepared by you or by a professional. Fresno County has a handouts on what needs to be included on the map and submitted with your application if you want to handle this portion of the project yourself. You may be able to save some monies by preparing the tentative map yourself, but you may find it well worth the additional costs to have a professional take you through the process. You will need to submit to Fresno County the following: an application, copies of a tentative parcel map showing the proposed division, a copy of the current deed, and a check for the county fees. Currently the fee for a tentative parcel map if $780.00 plus $16.50 for each parcel you are creating. If your property is located east of the Friant Kern Canal an Environmental Assessment (EA) is also required. The EA will add $712.00 to the cost of your project and increase the time it takes to review the tentative map from two months to three or more. During the EA you may be contacted to provide additional information such as an archeological or botanical surveys. While reviewing your tentative map, the county will notify your neighbors of your intent to divide and allow them to request a hearing if they have any objections. After many months you will receive your conditions of approval from the county. These are the items you must comply with in order to get your parcel map completed. The conditions often include item regarding road improvements or covenants which need to run with the property.

Once you have the conditions of approval you are ready to start the second step of the parcel map process. You will need to contact a professional at this point if you are not already working with one. The surveyor will start working on the final parcel map which involves field work as well as office work. The new property corners need to be set and the map needs to be drafted. The surveyor will also assist other professionals such as civil engineers and contractors when they are needed to meet the conditions. Fresno County's fee for checking the parcel map and making sure the conditions are met is $1,490.00 plus $44.00 for each parcel you are creating. You may have additional county fees if there are road improvements which need to be made. Each parcel map is unique and many of the costs are not known until you are in the middle of the project. For instance a contractor can't give you an estimate for his work until the civil engineer prepares the road plans, and the civil engineer can't prepare the road plans until the tentative parcel map has been approved and he knows what the conditions are.

Once all of the conditions have been met, a title company will need to provide a tax compliance certificate and subdivision guarantee which costs approximately $400.00. The map is sent to the assessors office and the property owner is notified of the estimated taxes which must be paid before the map records. When the map records, the parcels are created. It typically takes a year to do a parcel map although it may take longer depending on individual circumstances.

Katrina M. Olsen is a Licensed Land Surveyor in the State of California and is employed with McPheeters & Associates, Inc.

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