Title
Surveyor's Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve the Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 5256- titled Chapter 3.26 Survey Monument Preservation Fund and Survey Monument Fee (new Chapter);
2) Approve the Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 5257 - titled Surveys (new Title 121), amending Title 120, sections 120.28.30 - Form and Contents, 120.32.030 - Monument Placement, 120.52.050 - Non-completion of Monument Placement, and 120.52.030 Survey; and
3) Waive full reading of ordinances, read by title only, and continue the matter to April 21, 2026, for Final Passage (Second Reading). (Cont. 8/12/25, Item 35)
FUNDING: Applicant Fees.
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DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
On August 12, 2025, the Board provided conceptual approval to create a new ordinance titled “Survey Monument Preservation Fund and Survey Monument Fee" and to amend existing ordinance sections to be consistent across ordinances related to surveys.
The proposed amendments enable the Department to collect a fee to preserve monuments and help cover the costs of staff time spent reviewing monument preservation efforts by the private sector. Current state law mandates the protection of boundary monuments. To comply, private sector land surveyors file Pre-Construction and Post-Construction Corner Records with the County Surveyor’s Office. The state-mandated fee for these records is $17 per record, which does not fully cover staff time costs. The staff time required to process, review, and file these mandated records is currently paid from the general fund. Since these records are related to monument preservation, this new recommended fund may be used for this purpose.
The proposed amendments aim to establish consistent language across all ordinances related to subdivision final maps, parcel maps, and Records of Surveys within the County. These revisions combine conflicting language from multiple sections into one new chapter & section to create a cohesive and uniform survey monument standard for all maps recording within the county. The new Chapter & Section specifically describes the type of monuments accepted by the County, where to place them, and provides a pathway to vary from the ordinance requirements, if needed. The establishment of the new Chapter & Section provides a location for land surveying specific provisions that can be created to safeguard and protect the public in the future. An example of this is the addition of Basis of Bearing requirements. This section will be added to ordinance to ensure that maps recording within the County are consistent, retraceable, and meet the requirements of state statute.
Through the County budget development for FY 2025-26, and Board direction for cost recovery strategies, the Department has reviewed services provided, and the proposed fee will help meet the cost recovery goal.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the ordinances and fund; however, the ongoing cost of monument preservation is a General Fund cost to the County.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Recorder-Clerk, County Counsel, Auditor Controller
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the approval in concept to proceed in developing the ordinance. The proposed new fee will be applied to approximately 25% of all recorded deeds, with an expected annual revenue of between $20,000 and $25,000.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Continue this matter to the Board of Supervisors regular meeting scheduled on April 21, 2026 for Final Passage (Second Reading).
2) Publish the ordinance Summary in the local newspaper no less than 5 days prior to Final Passage.
3) Publish the ordinance within 15 days after its passage in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the County and send the full ordinance to Municode for codification following Final Passage.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Brian Frazier
Surveyor