California Surveyors Forums

My experience with local cites' is that you bond only public improvements. The rest of the conditions is put on the local agency page of the parcel map. When the lots get "built out" than the developer has to meet current city and fire codes

The key to interpreting how the SMA relates to a project in a certain locale is to read it in conjunction with the applicable provisions of the local subdivision ordinance. Reading the SMA alone, can lead you astray.

The SMA section you mention states "... or, where provided by local ordinances, until the time the construction of the improvements is required pursuant to an agreement between the subdivider
and the local agency,,,,"

In Los Angeles County, our local ordinance requires a subdivision multiple agreement and improvement bonds for parcel maps before the map records and the improvements need to be in place within 24 months (or as extended by the County). In addition our local ordinance calls for the paving of access strips in certain situations (see below).

21.32.090 Paving for access strips.
A. The advisory agency may require that single-access strips for flag lots be paved to a width of 15 feet or to full width, whichever is less, and that multiple-access strips be paved to a total width of 20 feet or to the full combined width of the access strips, whichever is less, with asphaltic concrete or portland cement concrete.
B. Such surfacing shall be installed in accordance with the specifications for driveway paving contained in Section 743.5 of the Zoning Ordinance (see Title 22 of this code).
C. The advisory agency may provide that a subdivider may submit a letter agreeing to the installation of such improvements in lieu of entering into an improvement agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 21.32.020. (Ord. 10485 § 15, 1972: Ord. 4478 Art. 10 § 191.3, 1945.)

Look close at your local ordinance before you talk to your local public works official. Just my opinion. Good luck.

The wonderful and unheralded benefits of this forum!