Subdivisions, Tentative Tract Maps & Parcel Maps

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.

Subdivision Map Act

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

Approval Process

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.

Tentative Tract & Parcel Maps

Tentative Tract Maps and Parcel Maps are requests for subdivisions of land, and are subject to provisions of the State Subdivision Map Act and Title 22 (Subdivisions) of the Paso Robles Municipal Code.

A Parcel Map is a lot split resulting in four or fewer residential lots or a commercial subdivision with access to existing streets. A Tentative Tract is a residential subdivision resulting in five or more parcels, or a commercial subdivision where the resulting lots would not have access to existing streets.

Applications

The Major Development Packet is used for either a Parcel Map or a Tentative Tract application. Such a subdivision requires review by City staff followed by a public hearing and approval by the Planning Commission. A subdivision map may also require concurrent submittal of a Planned Development application to demonstrate how the lots may be developed.

Information

Forms