Lot Split- land only no improvements

[Christopher Duron]

Hello all of you smart people.   I need some help.  I may have an opportunity to purchase a portion of a plot of land.  First, I would need to know if this is even possible in San Diego City.  Does anyone know if it is possible to buy a portion of someone’s lot. For example, could I buy 5000 square feet from a 15,000  sq ft lot.  Lot details: zoned for single family, no improvements/land only, has curbside access, all utilities nearby.  

If it is possible, Where do I start? 

Any information I could get would help me tremendously.  I can’t wait to pay it back or pay it forward one day.  

Thank you.  

Respectfully,

Chris 

[Matt Devincenzo]

@Christopher Duron I'm copying and pasting the same info as in this post here:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1147380-buyin...

CA is a beast all it's own...essentially unlike every other State in the Nation you cannot sell a 'deed described' portion of a lot. The law was changed in 1972 and you now need a mapping action to do so. You can do a lot line adjustment to shift the boundary, but that area cannot be sold by itself and cannot build a SFR unless it is an ADU.

I'll speak in broad generalities and there are some inaccuracies in my description for simplicity sake. In CA this is a two step process today, first you file a 'tentative map' this is an entitlement process in order to allow for the approval to split a lot by the City, then you file a map to create the two new lots...the original and the 'new' one you carved off. Budget between $30-50K for each of these phases, and it will take minimum 12-18 months. The tentative portion involves a public hearing and presenting to the local community group etc. It is discretionary and can be denied...it's uncommon to be denied now a days, but it is possible. Also your neighbors have a chance to complain, whether their complaints go anywhere or not depends on their issues, but again you invite outsiders into the process by nature of the approval requirement.

The State recently created the process of SB9 which is a convoluted attempt and doing this without the tentative map approval requirement. Unfortunately instead of making this a simple deed process like every other State they kept the mapping requirement and added the obligation to permit the new home concurrently. You also have to OO one of the two parcels for three years minimum.

So these lots splits are 100% do-able and I have completed many for client in City of SD over the last decade, but they are not so simply or easily completed as people often think when they begin.