General

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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
2. Map: A map delineating the deed description(s) including, but not limited to: bearings and distances, section(s), township(s), range(s), and controlling deed references.
3. Recorded Deed: Copy of the recorded deed(s) of the property back to the date the parcel was created and any other documents (recorded maps, contracts of sale, etc.) that may have a bearing on the compliance of the parcel with the regulations of the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Sections 66410, et seq.).
4. Property Description: Separate from the deeds, a legible description of the parcel(s) being recognized. This description must be suitable for recording by the County Office of the Recorder.

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. 

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.

If the application is complete, the Zoning Administrator, in consultation with the County Surveyor, shall review the application for a Certificate of Compliance and make one of the following determinations based on that review:

• Issuance: If the parcel is found to comply with the Subdivision Map Act and this Title, a Certificate of Compliance shall be issued.
• Conditional Issuance: If the parcel does not comply with regulations in effect at the time of its creation or does not comply with this Title, the parcel shall be found not to comply with the Subdivision Map Act and these Subdivision Regulations, and a Conditional Certificate of Compliance stating the conditions required to bring the parcel into compliance shall be issued, pursuant to Section 66499.35(b) of the Government Code.
  1. Only conditions that would have been applicable at the time the applicant acquired his or her interest in the property may be imposed.
     
  2. Conditions may not exceed the requirements at the time the parcel was created. However, if an applicant was the owner of record at the time of the initial violation of the Subdivision Map Act or of local ordinances enacted pursuant to the Act, conditions may be imposed which are applicable to a current division of property.
     
  3. Fulfillment of all conditions shall be required prior to issuance of any permit or grant of approval for development of the property.

For Certificates of Compliance to recognize parcels:

OCTOBER 19, 1961: Parcels created prior to this date are generally in compliance with regulations. Parcels that were not created by recorded documents or that do not have clear descriptions may not be in recognized.

FEBRUARY 11, 1968: Parcels in which all dimensions exceed 300 feet and created prior to this date are generally in compliance if they front on a County maintained road.

MARCH 4, 1972: Any parcels created prior to this date, if acquired without constructive knowledge of a violation may file for a Certificate of Compliance pursuant to Government Code Section 66412.6. APRIL 22, 1984 Parcels created prior to this date are generally in compliance if they have a minimum gross acreage of 40 acres and frontage on a County maintained road, or a gross acreage of 80 acres without frontage.