How much does an SB 9 lot split cost? It depends on the city and the lot, but the pieces are the same everywhere: survey and engineering, the parcel map, city review fees, impact fees for the new home, and utility connections. Below are the categories, and each city's published fees. Who pays which costs is set in the written agreement for the new lot.
Published fee categories are informational, not a project quote. Applicability and total expenses depend on the city, parcel, proposed construction and current agency requirements.
| Encinitas | Urban lot split application (new line from Oct. 25, 2026): $1,668 Tentative parcel map (2 to 4 lots): $7,363; $8,308 from Oct. 25 Administrative design review: $2,060; $2,909 from Oct. 25 Two-unit design review (new line from Oct. 25): $2,297 to $4,404 by size Final map, per sheet: $2,850; $3,437 from Oct. 25 Coastal development permit: $2,587; $4,061 from Oct. 25 Coastal development permit, blufftop: $8,445; $10,139 from Oct. 25 Impact fees, single-family: $27.55 per sq ft |
| Carlsbad | Tentative parcel map: $9,652 Parcel map: $6,138 Coastal development permit (Coastal Zone only): $8,304 Affordable housing impact fee: $2,925 per home Public facilities fee: 3.5% of building permit valuation (1.82% inside a CFD) Sewer capacity: $1,294 per EDU, plus any sewer benefit area fee |
| Poway | SB 9 tentative parcel map deposit: $10,000 SB 9 final map deposit: $5,000 |
| San Marcos | Tentative parcel map: $9,391 Parcel map (minor subdivision): $5,160 Public facilities fee: $6.88 per sq ft |
| Vista | Tentative parcel map (planning; may apply): $6,171.86 Parcel map check (engineering): $3,990.84 Park fee: $10,316.73 per home Streets and signals: $7,378.87 per home Public facilities: $1,218 per home Fire protection: $379 per home |
| Escondido | Tentative parcel map: $12,910 Final parcel map review: $1,116 per sheet + $62 per lot City impact fees in the city's 2026 fee guide example (not a quote): about $20,450 per home |
| Solana Beach | Transportation: $19,784 Park development: $7,631 Fire mitigation: $1,941 Public use facilities: $706 Sewer connection: $4,500 per EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) |
Published city fees or the closest categories on each city's schedule, as read in October 2026. Not a quote: real costs depend on the project, required reviews and current schedules, and school, water, sewer, survey and recording costs are extra. Deposits can run over or under the final cost.
The order varies by city and project, but a split usually runs through these steps, each with its own costs:
Who pays for surveys, engineering, city fees, utilities, legal work and closing costs depends on the transaction structure and signed agreement. A homeowner should review the full cost allocation and payment timing before agreeing to sell a newly created parcel. And because there's no listing agent: In a direct sale without a homeowner listing agent, no listing-agent commission is charged to the homeowner. Escrow, title, lender, tax, permitting, and other expenses may still apply. The written agreement specifies which party pays each cost.
It varies by city and lot. The main costs are survey and engineering, parcel map and city review fees, impact fees for the new home, utility connections, and title and recording. Each city's published fees are on this page.
City map fees vary a lot: tentative parcel map fees run from about $6,200 in Vista to about $12,900 in Escondido, and Poway takes a $10,000 deposit. Impact fees for the new home often matter more than map fees.
Mostly on the new home, when its building permit is issued.
No. In a direct sale without a homeowner listing agent, no listing-agent commission is charged to the homeowner. Escrow, title, lender, tax, permitting, and other expenses may still apply. The written agreement specifies which party pays each cost.
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General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. State law: Cal. Gov. Code §§65852.21, 66411.7. Last reviewed October 2026.