Subdividing La Mesa CA Lot

[Tye Waller]

I am in the process of buying a property with a 30,000 sq ft lot.  I would like to subdivide the lot and possibly turn it into three lots that I can prepare building pads for.  I am going to rehab the house that is on the lot and rent out the property while I wait for the dividing of the lots to be processed.  I am wondering if anyone that has experience in subdividing lots could guide me in this process.  I live in San Diego, Ca and the property is in La Mesa, CA 91941.  

[Justin R.]

Originally posted by @Dan H.:

Originally posted by @Tye Waller:

There is enough room on the lot when split to place an ADU on each lot. That was the thought because you can add housing and minimize the cost for the land purchase. I will reach out to Justin R

Split the existing lot into 3 lots then place a home and ADU on each lot for a total of 6 units. As indicated splitting is not as simple or cheap as it should be. it could be a promising investment but I am glad I do not live next door to your plan.

I experienced similar behind me. The Rabi (same one that was shot last spring) purchased a lot with an older, smaller home. He subdivided the lot and built a compound and a giant ADU (biggest that I have ever seen) on one lot. He uses the compound somewhat like a dorm for people visiting the synagogue. He has not yet started to build on the subdivided parcel (the second lot). It would not bother me at all except the access to his lots (two lots now) are via an easement across my lot. The easement road is closer to my structure than any regular road would be (maybe 15' from my house). The traffic through the easement is up maybe 50 times what it was when I purchased the property. I admire his entrepreneurship but hate the extra traffic. The easement was never intended to handle a dormitory and that may residences.

The state ADU/JADU policy (SB68) will overwhelm the existing infrastructure if exercised in bulk (similar to my access road). Each SFH can be converted to 3 residences. In your case, a single SFH would be subdivided into 3 lots each of which could have 3 residences. Up to 9 residences where there currently is one. Likely nothing done to improve the existing infrastructure.

In the subdivision process, the jurisdiction can require pretty much whatever infrastructure improvements they want.  That's really where a good chunk of the cost can come from - it's very situational.

When you submit your tentative map, the jurisdiction will provide public notice and schedule a public hearing.  As part of that process, they put conditions on your tentative map approval that can range anywhere from upgrading water infrastructure, sewer infrastructure, stormwater infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, ADA, overhead utility lines ... and for larger projects, parks, schools, making land available for churches.  The list goes on.  For something small like the OP is discussing, I'd expect sidewalks, ADA ramps, dedicating a radiused portion of the property at the corner, and undergrounding power lines.

@Dan - When your neighbor subdivided, you didn't bring up the access easement?  They (probably) would have put a restriction on those parcels as part of the process to avoid heavy traffic through there if you have requested.  You probably didn't think it'd be an issue.