This chapter establishes procedures for the merger of contiguous parcels under common ownership, without reversion to acreage, as authorized by Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of Title 7 of the Government Code (Section 66499.20 3/4.). (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

Parcels which are contiguous and under common ownership may be merged according to the procedures set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

Existing dedications and offers of dedication, shall not be affected by merger of parcels pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

Prior to recording of a grant deed pursuant to this section, all property taxes, fees, charges and assessments affecting the parcels to be merged shall be made current. (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

A grant deed shall be prepared by the owner of the parcels to be merged, or by the owner’s authorized agent. The grant deed shall identify the parcels to be merged by assessor’s parcel number (APN), and by legal description, and shall reference the parcel map or subdivision map, if any. The grant deed shall contain the notarized signatures of all owners of the affected parcels. (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

The grant deed evidencing the proposed merger of parcels shall be submitted to the planning department for review. The proposed merger of parcels shall be subject to review and approval by the parcel map committee (Madera County Code 17.72.040.) and the environmental committee (Madera County Code 16.08 et seq.). (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

A. The owner of the parcels to be merged shall pay all recording fees incurred in conjunction with the proposed merger.
B. The owner of the parcels to be merged shall pay to the planning department such fees for processing the merger of parcels as the board of supervisors may establish by resolution from time to time. (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

A merger of parcels pursuant to this chapter shall not be effective until the grant deed evidencing the merger of parcels, and certificate of merger of legal parcels, have been recorded by the planning department. (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).

Upon recording of the grant deed of merger, the owner(s) of the merged parcels shall provide a copy of the recorded grant deed to the office of the Madera County assessor. (Ord. 278M § 3, 2003).