Our firm takes care of the entire lot split process, from start to finish. We do all the leg work and all we will ask of you is a few signatures for the application docs.
Our work includes: order a title guarantee, prepare and fill out all application documents for client signature, hire our biologist for the biological and wetlands reports, work with our draftsperson to prepare the tentative parcel map, get client’s approval of the layout, prepare a drainage plan, contact utility companies to obtain will serve letters, submit the tentative parcel map and drainage plan (electronic submittal and hard copies), pay the submittal fees, follow up with county on a weekly basis until we get tentative map approval, schedule our surveyors, perform a boundary survey, perform a topographic survey, set final boundary monuments, prepare final parcel map, prepare closures, prepare easement deeds, prepare shared access easements and maintenance agreements if needed, submit all materials to planning and public works for approval, pay map checking fee, follow up with County until final approval, print mylar, obtain notarized signatures on the final parcel map from owners, tax collector, county surveyor, and clerk of the board of supervisors, request tax figures, pay tax collector fee, remind client to pay their upcoming property tax, pay assessor fee, obtain a parcel map guarantee, record the final parcel map. Our fee is due once we have created these two legal parcels for you.

Our firm takes care of the entire lot split process, from start to finish. We do all the leg work and all we will ask of you is a few signatures for the application docs.
Our work includes: order a title guarantee, prepare and fill out all application documents for client signature, hire our biologist for the biological and wetlands reports, work with our draftsperson to prepare the tentative parcel map, get client’s approval of the layout, prepare a drainage plan, contact utility companies to obtain will serve letters, submit the tentative parcel map and drainage plan (electronic submittal and hard copies), pay the submittal fees, follow up with county on a weekly basis until we get tentative map approval, schedule our surveyors, perform a boundary survey, perform a topographic survey, set final boundary monuments, prepare final parcel map, prepare closures, prepare easement deeds, prepare shared access easements and maintenance agreements if needed, submit all materials to planning and public works for approval, pay map checking fee, follow up with County until final approval, print mylar, obtain notarized signatures on the final parcel map from owners, tax collector, county surveyor, and clerk of the board of supervisors, request tax figures, pay tax collector fee, remind client to pay their upcoming property tax, pay assessor fee, obtain a parcel map guarantee, record the final parcel map. Our fee is due once we have created these two legal parcels for you.

Client involvement is minimal. We take care of every process so that our client needs to do as little as possible. 

Client involvement includes: sign application documents, notarize affidavit, approve parcel line we draw up, sign the final parcel map, pay your upcoming property taxes, send payment to Riechers Engineering. From start to finish, this process will only take 3 hours or less of your time in total.

Your lot split is 100% guaranteed when you work with us. If we are unsuccessful in creating your second parcel for any reason, you will owe nothing for our time or costs incurred on your project. It is that simple: no fine print, no hidden fees. No upfront deposit for the project. We want to make this process a “no brainer” for our clients, so we’ve taken all the risk out of it for you.

The lot split price varies project to project as well as by jurisdiction. Every jurisdiction has different requirements, application fees and planning department fees. Each project has a differing level of complexity and risk. 

Here is a general cost breakdown for the lot split, all of which is included in our fee, handled by us, and GUARANTEED by our firm (e.g. if we’re unsuccessful, you don’t pay). Lastly, please note that we will agree upon a fixed price before commencing your project. Even if costs are higher than we expect, we will not raise your price at the end. 

• Topographic survey $2,000 – 3,000
• Boundary survey $3,500 – $12,000 (depending if we find prior recorded monuments)
• Drafting of Tentative parcel map  $1,500 – 2,000
• Final parcel map preparation  $1,500 – 4,000
• Biological assessment $1,000 – 4,500
• County Site Evaluation fee $500
• Wetland assessment $500 – 2,500
• Title guarantee $600
• Utility Letters $500
• City/County Application fee $7,000 – 16,000**
• TPM and FPM processing $2,500
• Final parcel map checking fee to the county $5,000+**
• Drainage plan and erosion control plan $5,000
• Improvement plan $2,000
• Assessor fee $500
• Tax collector fee $500
• Prepare easement agreements $500
• Parcel Map guarantee (Title Company)  $300
• Title company map processing fee $3,100
• Recording fee $500
• Riechers Engineering fee (managing and overseeing your project for 9-12 months) $6,000 – 8,000

Total = $71,300+ (based on minimum application deposits)

** The county charges T&M with a modest deposit, then calls for replenishment whenever the deposit account runs out.  There is no limit on what they could charge

The lot split requires a whole lot of work: 12 months of application prep, submission and engagement with the planning departments, organizing and performing surveys and reports, finding specialists to complete the various requirements. Because we have in-house engineers, surveyors and draftspeople, we have lower costs than if you were to hire out professionals yourself. We are also California’s leading experts in SB9 with over 50 lot split applications throughout California. We have already done all the necessary research and know how to avoid the most common pitfalls of SB9 applications. You can spend a year of your time and perhaps more than $60,000 doing it yourself, or you can hire us to do everything for you, source professionals, and take on 100% of the risk.

No, creating your two legal parcels does not require an architect.  If you choose to build on the new lot, that is when you would hire an architect. We will contact your utility companies and request “can and will serve letters” for your new parcel, however our company does not pay for the installation of new utility services.