Legal Lot Program

The State Subdivision Map Act and Ventura County Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances prohibit the issuance of any permits or other planning entitlements on lots that are illegally subdivided. Therefore, prior to the issuance of a permit or other entitlement, the County must determine whether the applicant’s lot is legally created. As an example, the legality of a lot may be affected by its merger with another lot (or lots) or by the way the lot was created(deed, lease, map, etc). The unincorporated area of Ventura County has a considerable number of suspected illegal and/or merged lots. However, the County, as the local agency charged with verifying legal lot status, has built up considerable knowledge and expertise in this subject area over the years. Knowledgeable staff is also prepared to discuss options available to remedy an illegal lot.

The Preliminary Legal Lot Determination Program provides a valuable service to individuals desiring to enter the permit process and to the overall real estate community by providing informal, preliminary legal lot research results to any applicant. An application form and instructions are located below.

For a more formal determination of legal lot status, an application must be submitted to the Public Works Agency, County Surveyor Division, for a Certificate of Compliance (“legal lot certificate”). For application forms and further information, please contact:

• County Surveyor’s Office (805) 654-2067

To check if a Legal Lot Determination has been made on your parcel, please contact:

• Planning Counter: (805) 654-2488
  Email: Planning Counter

Please be prepared to provide all Assessor’s Parcel Numbers.