You must apply online through San Joaquin County’s Online Permitting System. First time users will need a valid email address to set up an account. It takes about 5 minutes to create a new account.

Step 1: INITIAL CONSULTATION

Applicants are encouraged to consult with Community Development Department staff prior to submittal of an application. 

Step 2: SUBMIT APPLICATION

1. Indemnity Form with signatures from all property owners

Step 3: APPLICATION ACCEPTED

Planning staff will review your application for acceptance. Once accepted, you will be sent information regarding payment of the appropriate fee through the Online Permitting System and via email. The current fee schedule is linked in the column to the right. In addition to fee payment, the following items must be submitted to the Community Development Department staff to complete review of the application:

1. Title Report or Lot Book Guarantee: 1 copy of a current preliminary title report or lot book guarantee for the property. The report must be issues within the 6 months prior to application.
2. Legal Descriptions: 2 copies of the legal description of the property.

Step 4: FEE PAYMENT

The following forms of payment are accepted:

1. Credit Card: Payable through the Online Permitting System or in person at the Planning Counter. A processing fee applies. 
2. Debit Card: Payable through the Online Permitting System or in person at the Planning Counter. A processing fee applies.
3. Check: Payable in person at the Planning Counter. Checks must be made payable to "San Joaquin County Treasurer."
4. Cash: Payable in person at the Planning Counter.

The procedure for nonrenewing a contract, as provided in the Williamson Act, is as follows:

• Notice of Nonrenewal Notice Required: A written Notice of Nonrenewal must be served in any of the following situations:
  
  1. Minimum Size: If any property under contract is less than 10 acres in size, the County shall serve a Notice of Nonrenewal on the owner of such property.
     
  2. Division of Land: If any property under contract is being divided, the owner of the property shall serve a Notice of Nonrenewal on the County for any resulting parcels less than 10 acres in size in the case of prime agricultural land, or less than 40 acres in size in the case of land which is not prime, prior to obtaining map approval.
     
  3. Change in Preserve: If any property under contract is removed from an Agricultural Preserve by either a change in the boundaries of the preserve or disestablishment of the preserve, the County shall serve a Notice of Nonrenewal on the owner of the property.
     
  4. Change in Zoning: If any property under contract is reclassified to a zone other than that required for an agricultural preserve, the County shall serve a Notice of Nonrenewal on the owner of the subject property.
     
• Timing of Notice: Either party to the contract may submit a notice of nonrenewal pursuant to the terms of the contract.
  
  1. County Initiated: A Notice of Nonrenewal initiated by the County shall be served on the owner, or the agent for Notice as designated in the contract, at least 60 days before the annual renewal date of the contract.
     
  2. Owner Initiated: A Notice of Nonrenewal initiated by the owner shall be served on the County at least 90 days before the annual renewal date. Failure to meet this requirement shall result in the renewal of the contract as provided by Resolution by the Board of Supervisors.