TO: Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Beth Lindauer, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
title
Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending RBMC §20.6(A) Regarding Lot Line Adjustments and Voluntary Mergers Consistent with the California Subdivision Map Act
end
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Waive the second reading, except by title, the ordinance amending Red Bluff Municipal Code(“RBMC”) §20.6(A) regarding lot line adjustments and voluntary mergers; and
2. Adopt the ordinance.
body
SUMMARY:
The proposed amendment was prepared to ensure consistency between the City’s subdivision regulations and the California Subdivision Map Act (“SMA”), specifically Government Code §66412(d) governing lot line adjustments. The current ordinance language was originally adopted in 1970 and has been amended periodically. Since adoption, the SMA has been substantially revised and clarified by the Legislature and courts regarding the processing of qualifying lot line adjustments.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
On June 2, 2026, the City Council introduced and waived the first reading of an ordinance amending RBMC §20.6(A) regarding lot line adjustments and voluntary mergers. Following a duly noticed public hearing, the Council received no public comments or testimony and voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the ordinance on first reading and direct staff to return with the ordinance for second reading and adoption.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed amendment clarifies that qualifying lot line adjustments are ministerial actions processed administratively by the Planning Director or designee, consistent with Government Code §66412(d). The amendment removes the current distinction requiring Planning Commission review when one or more affected parcels are not substandard and clarifies that review authority is limited to determinations expressly authorized by State law.
The ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), as it is certain that the ordinance amendment will not have a significant effect on the environment.
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
The ordinance amendment is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact on the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. EXHIBIT A - ORDINANCE 1098
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 1098
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RED BLUFF AMENDING RED BLUFF MUNICIPAL CODE §20.6(A) REGARDING LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY MERGERS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH THE CALIFORNIA SUBDIVISION MAP ACT
WHEREAS, Red Bluff Municipal Code (“RBMC”) §20.6 establishes procedures for lot line adjustments and voluntary mergers within the City of Red Bluff; and
WHEREAS, Government Code §66412(d) of the California Subdivision Map Act establishes procedures and limitations applicable to qualifying lot line adjustments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that portions of the existing RBMC provisions governing lot line adjustments are outdated and should be revised to reflect current State law and contemporary subdivision administration practices; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the amendments adopted by this Ordinance are necessary to ensure consistency with the California Subdivision Map Act, clarify that qualifying lot line adjustments are ministerial actions, streamline administrative processing procedures, eliminate obsolete and discretionary review standards inconsistent with Government Code §66412(d), and clarify application requirements and approval procedures; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the amendments adopted herein are consistent with the City of Red Bluff General Plan; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2026, the City Council introduced and waived the first reading of this Ordinance following a duly noticed public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered all testimony and evidence presented regarding this Ordinance.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RED BLUFF DOES ORDAIN ON JUNE 16, 2026, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings.
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. CEQA.
The City Council finds that this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the Common Sense Exemption, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment, and pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), because the Ordinance involves organizational and administrative activities of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment. In addition, qualifying lot line adjustments processed pursuant to Government Code §66412(d) are ministerial actions not subject to CEQA.
SECTION 3. Amendment to RBMC §20.6(A).
Red Bluff Municipal Code §20.6(A) is hereby amended in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit “A,” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 4. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, and portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more portions may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
SECTION 6. Publication.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause it to be published in accordance with applicable law.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT OR NOT VOTING:
ATTEST: ___________________________
Mayor’s Signature
___________________________
Deputy City Clerk