California Senate Bill 9

Maximize your land with an SB-9 lot split.

California law now lets most San Diego homeowners divide a single-family lot into two legal parcels — no public hearing, no neighborhood vote. It starts with a licensed surveyor. We handle everything.

Licensed PLS — San Diego County

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Ministerial approval — no public hearings

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End-to-end: eligibility to final recording

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Commercial Design

Licensed PLS — San Diego County | Ministerial approval — no public hearings | End-to-end: eligibility to final recording | Commercial Design

Why SB-9 is a game changer

California's Senate Bill 9 (SB-9) is one of the most significant changes to residential property rights in decades. If your property is in a single-family zone within an urbanized area and meets the state's objective criteria, your city must approve the lot split — no public hearing, no neighborhood vote, no discretionary review.

What this means in plain terms: if you qualify, you can divide your property into two legal parcels and build up to two units on each — four units total where there was once one single-family home. You can sell the new lot, build rental units, create multi-generational housing, or simply increase your property's total market value.

Three things you can do with an SB-9 split:

  • Sell the newly created lot for an immediate return

  • Build rental units for ongoing income

  • Create a separate parcel for a family member or multi-generational living

Key SB-9 parameters

A landscape view of mountains and valleys with a clear blue sky, a piece of surveying equipment on a tripod, and desert plants in the foreground.

2,400

Minimum lot size (sq. ft.) to qualify

A surveying instrument on a tripod set up on a rocky hillside overlooking a valley with mountains in the distance under a clear blue sky.

4

Maximum units allowed across both new parcels

A surveying or mapping instrument mounted on a tripod in a desert landscape at sunset, with power lines and utility poles in the background.

60/40

Required area ratio between the two new lots

A surveyor or construction instrument setup on a stand in a flat, open, dusty landscape during sunset, with multiple utility poles and wires in the background.

R-1

Eligible zone type — single-family residential

What we handle for you

Our SB-9 Services

From the first title search to the final parcel recording — we manage every technical step required by California law and the City of San Diego.

01
Eligibility Analysis

Boundary and title research to confirm your property meets every state and local requirement before you spend a dollar.

02
Preliminary Parcel Map

We design your split to meet the required 60/40 area ratio with proper access, utility easements, and address assignments.

03
Topographic Survey

We map elevations, drainage, and existing structures so your new lot is development-ready from day one.

04
Final Parcel Map & Recording

Technical mapping and full coordination with city and county agencies to officially record your new parcels.

Is your property eligible?

SB-9 eligibility checklist

  • Is it in a single-family residential zone (R-1)?

  • Is the total lot size at least 2,400 sq. ft.?

  • Is it located within an urbanized area of San Diego County?

  • Has it not been part of a prior SB-9 split?

If you answered yes to all four, you likely qualify. Contact us with your APN for a professional eligibility review.

SB-9 questions we
hear most

Ready to find out if your lot qualifies?

Send us your APN and we'll review your eligibility — no cost, no commitment.

Or call us at 858-384-2929