Morehart v. County of Santa Barbara

Opinion

LUCAS, C. J.

The Subdivision Map Act (Gov. Code, § 66410 et seq.) provides that contiguous parcels of land are not automatically merged by virtue of being held by the same owner. Such parcels “may be merged by local agencies only in accordance with the authority and procedures prescribed by this article” (id., §§ 66451.10-66451.21], which “providejs] the sole and exclusive authority for local agency initiated merger of contiguous parcels.” (Id., § 66451.10, subd. (b); all section references are to the Government Code unless otherwise indicated.)

Without following those statutory…