Contour Survey

Parcel Maps & Lot Line Adjustments

Lot splits, lot line adjustments, and mergers under the Subdivision Map Act — handled by a licensed land surveyor from feasibility through final map recordation.

From Feasibility to the County Recorder

Parcel maps, lot line adjustments, and lot mergers under the California Subdivision Map Act for East Bay property owners and developers. A parcel map is the legal instrument for dividing land into four or fewer parcels — the most common path for splitting a residential lot, carving off a flag lot, or reconfiguring boundaries between neighbors. We handle the complete process: boundary resolution, tentative map preparation, coordination through city and county surveyor review, satisfaction of conditions of approval, and final map recordation with the county recorder. Because we laser-scan the site as part of the fieldwork, the same mobilization produces the topographic base map most jurisdictions require with the tentative map application — one visit, two required products.

  • Complete Subdivision Map Act compliance
  • Tentative through final map recordation
  • Lot line adjustments and lot mergers
  • City and county surveyor review coordination
  • Scan-based topo included in the same mobilization
  • Boundary resolution by a licensed land surveyor
Laser scanner setup transitioning into dense point cloud data
Reality Capture
Drag reveal

Reality Capture

Point clouds that become usable project files.

High-density scan data supports CAD, BIM-ready modeling, field verification, and existing-condition coordination.

Point cloudScan-to-CADBIM-ready

Which Instrument Do You Need?

Parcel map — dividing land into 4 or fewer parcels

Tract map — subdivisions of 5 or more parcels

Lot line adjustment — moving a boundary between existing parcels

Lot merger — combining adjacent parcels into one

1

Feasibility & Boundary Resolution

We research title, resolve the existing boundary, and confirm your split or adjustment complies with local zoning minimums before you spend on applications.

2

Tentative Parcel Map

We prepare the tentative map and supporting topographic base, and submit through the city or county planning process.

3

Conditions of Approval

After approval, we coordinate the survey-related conditions — monumentation, easements, dedications — alongside your civil engineer where improvements are required.

4

Final Map & Recordation

We prepare the final parcel map, carry it through county surveyor examination, set the required monuments, and record the map with the county recorder.

Parcel Maps FAQ

Under the Subdivision Map Act, a parcel map covers divisions creating four or fewer parcels; a tract (final subdivision) map is required for five or more. Parcel maps have a lighter approval process, which is why most residential lot splits use them.
A lot line adjustment moves the boundary between adjacent existing parcels without creating new ones. It is exempt from most Map Act requirements, making it far faster and cheaper than a subdivision — the usual tool when neighbors want to trade land or fix a boundary that never matched how the properties are used.
Plan on months, not weeks. Tentative map review commonly runs several months depending on the jurisdiction, conditions of approval add engineering and coordination time, and county surveyor examination of the final map adds more. Simple lot line adjustments are much faster. We give realistic, jurisdiction-specific timelines at the feasibility stage.
Most East Bay jurisdictions require existing-conditions topography with the tentative map application, especially on sloped sites. Because we capture the site with a laser scanner during boundary fieldwork, the topo base comes from the same mobilization at lower combined cost.
No. The resulting parcels must meet the zoning district's minimum lot size, frontage, and access requirements, and some sites face hazard-zone or hillside constraints. That is exactly what our feasibility step checks before you commit to the application process.

Boundary Determination

Establish clear, legally defensible property boundaries with a licensed Bay Area boundary surveyor — including difficult boundaries on hillside lots, irregular parcels, post-1906 SF blocks, fire-rebuild areas, and properties with conflicting record evidence.

Subdivisions

Navigate the complex subdivision process with expert guidance.

Condo Conversions

Convert existing buildings into condominium ownership with 3D laser scanning, accurate interior and exterior as-builts, and boundary coordination.

Parcel Maps Across the East Bay

Local conditions, permitting, and county recording differ city to city — see how we handle parcel maps where your property is:

OaklandBerkeleyAlamedaEmeryvillePiedmontAlbanyEl CerritoRichmondWalnut CreekSan Leandro

Thinking About Splitting a Lot?

Start with a feasibility check — we'll confirm zoning minimums and map out the realistic path and timeline before you spend on applications.

Get a Quoteor(510) 543-2220

Meeting-first estimates • Response within 24 hours • Serious projects only

Call (510) 543-2220Get a Quote