Chapter 17.08
DEFINITIONS

Sections:

17.08.010    Definitions generally.

17.08.020    Acreage.

17.08.030    Alley.

17.08.040    Arterial street.

17.08.050    Block.

17.08.060    City engineer.

17.08.070    Collector street.

17.08.080    Community apartment project.

17.08.090    Condominium.

17.08.100    Conversion.

17.08.110    County.

17.08.120    Cul-de-sac.

17.08.130    Days.

17.08.140    Dedication.

17.08.150    Department.

17.08.160    Design.

17.08.170    Development.

17.08.180    EIR.

17.08.190    Final map.

17.08.200    Flood control district.

17.08.210    Flood hazard.

17.08.220    Frontage road.

17.08.230    General plan.

17.08.240    Grading ordinance.

17.08.250    Health department.

17.08.260    Hillside street.

17.08.270    Improvements.

17.08.280    Improvement plan.

17.08.290    Lot.

17.08.300    Lot line adjustment.

17.08.310    Major subdivision.

17.08.320    Merger.

17.08.330    Minor subdivision.

17.08.340    Parcel map.

17.08.350    Planning commission.

17.08.360    Private street.

17.08.370    Public street.

17.08.380    Registered civil engineer.

17.08.390    Remainder – Designated remainder.

17.08.400    Scenic easement – Open space easement.

17.08.410    Standard engineering specifications.

17.08.420    Stock cooperative.

17.08.430    Street.

17.08.440    Subdivider.

17.08.445    Subdivision.

17.08.450    Subdivision Map Act.

17.08.460    Tentative map.

17.08.470    Thoroughfare.

17.08.480    Vesting tentative map.

17.08.010 Definitions generally.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this title. The definitions in PMC Title 1, PMC Title 18 (the zoning ordinance) and the Subdivision Map Act also apply and are incorporated here by reference. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.020 Acreage.

“Acreage” means a parcel of land that is not a lot, as defined in this title, and those areas where a legal subdivision has not been made previously, or where a legal subdivision has declared such parcel as acreage. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.030 Alley.

“Alley” means a public way to be used primarily for vehicular access to the back or side of a parcel of real property that otherwise abuts a street. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.040 Arterial street.

“Arterial street” means a public street that carries the major flow of traffic passing through or adjacent to a subdivision and for which the traffic entering or crossing from intersecting roads and streets may be controlled. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.050 Block.

“Block” means an area of land separated from other areas by adjacent streets, rights-of-way, railroads, public areas or the subdivision boundary. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.060 City engineer.

“City engineer” means the city engineer of Pittsburg. The land surveying functions of the city engineer may be performed by a city surveyor if that position is created by the city. (Government Code Section 66416.5.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.070 Collector street.

“Collector street” means a street that, because of its location with reference to other streets or other sources of traffic, carries or will carry traffic from local streets to the system of arterial streets. It includes the principal entrance streets of residential subdivisions and streets for circulation of traffic within such subdivisions. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.080 Community apartment project.

“Community apartment project” means a common interest development in which an undivided interest in land is coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of any apartment located on it. (Civil Code Section 1351(d), Business and Professions Code Section 11004.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.090 Condominium.

“Condominium” means an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a portion of the property together with a separate interest in space called a unit, the boundaries of which are described on a recorded final map, parcel map or condominium plan. The condominium may be residential, industrial or commercial. (Civil Code Sections 783, 1351(f).) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.100 Conversion.

“Conversion” means the creation of separate ownership interests in an existing building. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.110 County.

“County” means Contra Costa County. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.120 Cul-de-sac.

“Cul-de-sac” means a local street that connects to another public street only at one end and is not planned for later extension. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.130 Days.

“Days” means calendar days unless this title or state law specifies otherwise. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.140 Dedication.

“Dedication” means the transfer by a subdivider to a public entity of title to real property or an interest therein, or of an easement or right in real property, the transfer of facilities, the installation of improvements or any combination of these. (Government Code Section 66475.4(a).) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.150 Department.

“Department” means the development services department of the city. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.160 Design.

“Design” means:

A. Street alignments, grades and widths;

B. Drainage and sanitary facilities and utilities, including alignments and grades thereof;

C. Location and size of all required easements and rights-of-way;

D. Fire roads and firebreaks;

E. Lot size and configuration;

F. Vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access;

G. Grading;

H. Land to be dedicated for park or recreational purposes; and

I. Such other specific physical requirements in the plan and configuration of the entire subdivision as may be necessary to ensure consistency with, or implementation of, the general plan or any applicable specific plan. (Government Code Section 66418.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.170 Development.

“Development” means the uses to which the land that is the subject of a map shall be put, the buildings to be constructed on it, and all alterations of the land and construction incident thereto. (Government Code Section 66418.1.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.180 EIR.

“Environmental Impact Report (EIR)” means a report complying with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and its implementing guidelines. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.190 Final map.

“Final map” means a map showing a subdivision of five or more lots, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act and this title. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.200 Flood control district.

“Flood control district” is the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District that serves the city in an advisory capacity relating to drainage and flood control problems. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.210 Flood hazard.

“Flood hazard” is the threat of overflow stormwaters having capability to flood lands or improvements, transport or deposit debris, scour the surface soil, dislodge or damage buildings, or erode the banks of channels. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.220 Frontage road.

A. “Frontage road” means a public street adjacent to an arterial, thoroughfare or freeway, that provides access to abutting properties and protection from the through traffic on the adjacent streets; or

B. “Frontage street” means an existing street whose right-of-way is contiguous to the exterior boundary of a subdivision. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.230 General plan.

“General plan” means the general plan of the city and all amendments to it. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.240 Grading ordinance.

“Grading ordinance” means the grading, erosion and sediment control ordinance (Chapter 15.88 PMC) of the city and all amendments to it. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.250 Health department.

“Health department” means the health department of the county, acting through the county health officer or his representative. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.260 Hillside street.

“Hillside street” means a public street that serves local residential neighborhood traffic only and which because of its location approximately paralleling the contours of a hillside cannot be constructed to full width without causing excess cut and fill. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.270 Improvements.

“Improvements” refers to (A) street work, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, driveways, storm drainage facilities, water mains, sanitary sewers and facilities, public utilities, landscaping and fences to be installed by the subdivider on the land to be used for public right-of-way, private streets and easements as a condition of map approval and (B) any other improvements necessary to implement the general plan or a specific plan and as defined by Section 66419 of the Subdivision Map Act. (Government Code Sections 66419(d), 66452.6.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.280 Improvement plan.

“Improvement plan” is an engineering plan submitted by a registered civil engineer showing the location and construction details of the streets, roads, drainage facilities, sanitary sewers, water mains and the pertinent structures and other on-tract and off-tract improvements required for a subdivision, as specified in PMC 17.28.050. Improvements in the plan shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the applicable adopted standard engineering specifications. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.290 Lot.

“Lot” means a parcel or portion of land separate from others and that is delineated or described as a single integral unit on a subdivision map or by such other map approved under the Subdivision Map Act. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.300 Lot line adjustment.

“Lot line adjustment” means a shift or rotation of an existing lot line between four or fewer existing adjoining parcels, where the land taken from one parcel is added to an adjoining parcel and where a greater number of parcels than originally existed is not created, as approved by the city engineer under PMC 17.04.050. (Government Code Section 66412(d).) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.310 Major subdivision.

“Major subdivision” means the subdivision of land into five or more parcels or lots or a condominium, community apartment, or stock cooperative containing five or more units. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.320 Merger.

“Merger” means the joining of two or more contiguous parcels of land under one ownership into one parcel, as provided in Chapter 17.52 PMC. (Government Code Section 66451.11.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.330 Minor subdivision.

“Minor subdivision” means the subdivision of land into four or fewer parcels or lots, or creation of four or fewer condominium units, community apartments, or stock cooperative containing four or fewer units. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 1059 § 1, 1993; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.340 Parcel map.

“Parcel map” means a map showing a subdivision of four or fewer lots, prepared in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and this title. (Government Code Section 66426.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.350 Planning commission.

“Planning commission” means the planning commission of the city. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.360 Private street.

“Private street” means any street not a public street. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.370 Public street.

“Public street” means a street for which the right-of-way is owned by, or offered for dedication to, the public and accepted by the city. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.380 Registered civil engineer.

“Registered civil engineer” means a civil engineer registered by the state of California and doing work consistent with the engineer’s authority under the California Business and Professions Code and the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. (Business and Professions Code Sections 6700, 8700.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.390 Remainder – Designated remainder.

“Remainder” or “designated remainder” means that portion of an existing parcel that is designated on the required map as not a part of the subdivision. It is that portion not divided for the purpose of sale, lease or financing. The remainder is not counted as a parcel for the purpose of determining whether a parcel or final map is required. A remainder of five acres or more need not be shown on the map and its location need not be indicated as a matter of survey, but only by deed reference to the existing boundaries of the remainder. (Reference: PMC 17.16.040.) (Government Code Section 66424.6.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.400 Scenic easement – Open space easement.

“Scenic easement” or “open space easement” means an easement granted to the public whereby the owner relinquishes or limits the right to construct improvements on the land. (Government Code Section 51051, Civil Code Section 815.1.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.410 Standard engineering specifications.

“Standard engineering specifications” means those standard specifications and standard details for public improvements prepared by the city engineer and adopted by resolution of the city council. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.420 Stock cooperative.

“Stock cooperative” is a common interest development in which a corporation is formed primarily for the purpose of holding title to improved real property and substantially all of the shareholders receive a right of exclusive occupancy in a portion of the property. (Civil Code Section 1351(m), Business and Professions Code Section 11003.2.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.430 Street.

“Street” includes a public or private street, avenue, road, highway, lane, alley, court, square, crossing or intersection. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.440 Subdivider.

“Subdivider” is a person, property owner, firm, corporation, partnership or association who proposes to divide, divides, or causes to be divided real property into a subdivision. (Government Code Section 66423.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.445 Subdivision.

“Subdivision” is the division of land for the purpose of sale, lease or financing, whether immediate or future. The land may be improved or unimproved and is that land shown on the latest equalized county assessment roll as a unit or as contiguous units. Property is considered as contiguous units even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements or railroad rights-of-way. “Subdivision” includes condominiums, community apartment projects and stock cooperatives. (Government Code Section 66424.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.450 Subdivision Map Act.

“Subdivision Map Act” refers to Division 2, Subdivisions, of the California Government Code, beginning with Section 66410. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.460 Tentative map.

“Tentative map” is a map made for the purpose of showing the design and improvements of a proposed subdivision and the existing conditions in and around it preparatory to the approval of a final map or parcel map. (Government Code Section 66424.5.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.470 Thoroughfare.

“Thoroughfare” is a public street of general county importance that has been designated as a city-county thoroughfare, either existing or proposed, by appropriate action of the board of supervisors of Contra Costa County. [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]

17.08.480 Vesting tentative map.

“Vesting tentative map” is a tentative map for a subdivision that has printed conspicuously on its face the words “vesting tentative map” at the time it is filed with the city, and is processed in accord with PMC 17.20.090. (Government Code Section 66424.5.) [Ord. 09-1315 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 962 § 2 (Exh. A), 1989.]