Subdivision Maps, 1869-2026

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk Subdivision Maps
Dates:
1869-2026
Creators:
San Diego County (Calif.). Office of the Recorder/County Clerk
Abstract:
The Subdivision Maps collection consists of 67,176 sheets of maps that delineate the division of land into five or more parcels within San Diego County, including both incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. Prepared by land surveyors or civil engineers and received for filing by the Recorder/County Clerk following approval by the appropriate local authority, these maps date from 1869 to the present. Filed Subdivision Maps serve as official County records documenting approved land divisions and the configuration of legal parcels at the time of recording.
Extent:
901.15 cubic feet (67,176 map sheets)
Language:
Preferred citation:

San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk Subdivision Maps. San Diego County Archives, Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, Santee, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Subdivision Maps collection consists of 67,176 sheets of maps that delineate the division of land into five or more parcels within San Diego County, including both incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. Prepared by land surveyors or civil engineers and received for filing by the Recorder/County Clerk following approval from the appropriate local authority, these maps date from 1869 to the present. Filed Subdivision Maps serve as official County records documenting approved land divisions and the configuration of legal parcels at the time of recording. Subdivision Maps are prepared by or under the direction of licensed land surveyors or registered civil engineers. They delineate parcel boundaries within approved subdivisions and may include lot and block numbers, tract or subdivision names, street layouts, easements and rights-of-way, references to other recorded documents, and related survey and legal information. Some maps contain annotations referencing later corrections made to the map after filing. The materials are graphical and textual in nature, consisting of diagrams and accompanying text that describe location, boundary lines, areas, and dimensions of parcels within a broader context of surrounding parcels, infrastructure, land use, and rights-of-way. Subdivision Maps are filed with the County Recorder to document approved land development projects and to provide a permanent public record of the creation and configuration of legal parcels. Filed Subdivision Maps are official records, defined by California Government Code section 27300 as a “permanent archival record of all instruments, papers, and notices as accepted for recording by a county recorder,” and are original documents. Although some land division regulation existed in California as early as 1893, comprehensive land development regulation was established through the codification of the Subdivision Map Act in 1974. Subdivision Maps filed prior to this period may not reflect later standardization of recording requirements or include elements commonly associated with subsequent recording practices. The Subdivision Map Act established the legal framework for modern subdivision requirements and local control over land division in California. To be identified and accepted for filing as a Subdivision Map, the County Recorder examines the map to confirm that it meets applicable statutory and recording requirements. Subdivision Maps are filed as original documents and include required diagrams, certifications, and Recorder endorsements associated with the recording process. Each Subdivision Map includes information related to the approved subdivision of land. This may include parcel or lot boundaries, bearings and distances, curve data, monument references, street names and widths, easements, and notes or conditions associated with the subdivision approval. Subdivision Maps include certifications signed and sealed by the licensed land surveyor or registered civil engineer responsible for the map, as well as certificates of approval by the appropriate local authority. Page identification and Recorder certification information are present in accordance with recording practices. Following verification of recording requirements, the County Recorder’s certificate is completed as part of the filing process. Recorder certification information, including the recording date, recording reference number, and deputy information, is added at the time of filing. Each Subdivision Map is assigned a sequential map number, which appears on every page of the map. The Subdivision Maps are indexed and searchable by map number, which serves as the primary means of access to the collection. Maps are not indexed by address; identifying relevant map numbers typically requires prior research using related County land records. Pursuant to California Government Code section 66466(e), the Recorder/County Clerk is required to maintain every original filed Subdivision Map for safekeeping in a reproducible condition. In addition to original maps, copies may also be present in the collection. An original map is one that bears a wet signature within the Recorder’s certificate, whereas a copy is characterized by the absence of a wet signature in the Recorder’s certificate. In some instances, more than one original map exists for a given subdivision, resulting in multiple originals bearing wet Recorder signatures. Ryan copies and Ferry copies are also present in the collection. A Ryan copy bears an annotation, signed by County Surveyor Henry S. Ryan, attesting that the map is a true and correct copy of the original map on file in the Recorder’s office. A Ferry copy bears an annotation, signed by County Recorder John Ferry, attesting that the map is a true and correct copy of the original map on file in the Recorder’s office. When multiple versions of a Subdivision Map are present, including one or more originals and any copies, the version of each map is identified in the finding aid. The Subdivision Maps collection is composed of multiple groupings (series) of maps that were maintained separately by the Recorder/County Clerk prior to transfer to the County Archives. The main run of Subdivision Maps dates from 1869 to the present. Until 2020, these maps were stored in bound volumes labeled “Subdivision.” In cases where multiple versions of a Subdivision Map exist, one version was stored in the Subdivision Maps volumes, while other versions were stored in other series. There is an apparent gap in this main run for Subdivision Map Numbers 76–139; original maps bearing those numbers were stored in the Miscellaneous Subdivision Maps volumes. Miscellaneous Subdivision Maps were stored in seven bound volumes labeled “Miscellaneous Subdivision” and include Subdivision Map Numbers 1–765, with gaps. These volumes most often contained original maps, while corresponding Ryan copies were frequently stored in the Subdivision Maps volumes. Duplicate Subdivision Maps were stored in five bound volumes labeled “Duplicate Subdivisions” and include Subdivision Map Numbers 1764–2170, with gaps. These volumes most often contained second originals, while first originals were typically stored in the Subdivision Maps volumes. Riverside Subdivision Maps were stored in a single bound volume labeled “Riverside Subdivisions” and include Subdivision Map Numbers 23–746, with gaps. These maps document subdivisions located in what is now Riverside County, which was part of San Diego County at the time of recording. These maps are most often original maps with corresponding Ryan copies stored in the Subdivision Maps volumes, or second originals with first originals stored in the Subdivision Maps volumes. In several instances in the collection, information recorded in the Recorder’s certificate appears to be incorrect on the map. Examples include Recorder’s certificates that are incomplete, file numbers that are missing or missing leading digits, and filing dates that are missing or appear out of sequence. Some maps include a second Recorder’s certificate with a different filing date. In all cases, Recorder’s certificate information is transcribed in the finding aid exactly as it appears on the map. When additional or differing information is available in the Recorder/County Clerk’s recording system, that information is also noted in the finding aid. Dates associated with the collection reflect the filing dates of the Subdivision Maps and may not correspond to the date of initial land ownership or development. Later annotations or revisions may postdate the original filing. There are instances in which a map number appears to have been skipped in the sequential numbering system. In all such cases, a note provided by Recorder/County Clerk staff explains the apparent gap in numbering. In two instances – Subdivision Map Numbers 16101 and 16369, filed in March 2016 and September 2019 respectively – the maps were erroneously recorded as Subdivision Maps and later re-recorded as Parcel Maps. Subdivision Maps are arranged in four series: 1) Subdivision Maps (1869-present), 2) Miscellaneous Subdivision Maps (1869-1893), 3) Duplicate Subdivision Maps (1923-1929), and 4) Riverside Subdivision Maps (1870-1893). Series 1) Subdivision Maps: Includes the primary run of Subdivision Maps documenting approved land divisions within San Diego County. Maps are arranged in the order in which they were filed, corresponding to sequential Subdivision Map Number order beginning with Subdivision Map Number 1. This order is largely chronological, although some maps were filed out of chronological sequence. There is an apparent gap in this series for Subdivision Map Numbers 76-139; maps bearing those numbers are present in Series 2) Miscellaneous Subdivision Maps. When multiple versions of a map exist for a given map number, one version is typically present in this series, and all versions present in the collection are identified at the item level. Series 2) Miscellaneous Subdivision Maps: Includes versions of Subdivision Maps that were maintained separately from the primary Subdivision Maps series. Maps are arranged in the order in which they were filed, corresponding to sequential Subdivision Map Number order beginning with Subdivision Map Number 1 and ending with Subdivision Map Number 765, with gaps. These maps are most often Ryan copies or second originals with a corresponding first original present in another series. When multiple versions of a map exist for a given map number, each version present in the collection is identified at the item level. Series 3) Duplicate Subdivision Maps: Includes versions of Subdivision Maps that were maintained separately from the primary Subdivision Maps series. Maps are arranged in the order in which they were filed, corresponding to sequential Subdivision Map Number order beginning with Subdivision Map Number 1764 and ending with Subdivision Map Number 2170, with gaps. These maps are most often second originals with a corresponding first original present in another series. When multiple versions of a map are present in the collection for a given map number, each version is identified at the item level. Series 4) Riverside Subdivision Maps: Includes versions of Subdivision Maps that were maintained separately from the primary Subdivision Maps series. Maps are arranged in the order in which they were filed, corresponding to sequential Subdivision Map Number order beginning with Subdivision Map Number 23 and ending with Subdivision Map Number 746, with gaps. These maps are most often originals, or second originals with a corresponding first original present in another series. When multiple versions of a map exist for a given map number, each version present in the collection is identified at the item level.

Biographical / historical:

The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (ARCC) department consists of three divisions, the Administration Division, the Assessor Division, and the Recorder/County Clerk Division. The department is the result of the combination of three distinct county offices: the San Diego County Assessor (established 1849), County Recorder (established 1850), and County Clerk, (established 1849). The responsibilities of the Assessor's office are rooted in the Constitution of the State of California (1849). Section 13 of Article XI notes that “assessors and collectors of town, County, and State taxes, shall be elected by the qualified electors… in which the property taxed… is situated.” Chapter 43 of the statutes of the 1850 California legislature (California Stats. 1850, Ch. 43) passed “An Act concerning the office of the County Assessor,” which addressed several administrative points, among them term of office, appointment of deputies, compensation, and other administrative provisions. Further clarification regarding the duties of the County Assessor were provided in California Stats. 1852, Ch. 3 which mandates the location, identification, and valuation of all vacant land, improved real estate, and business property. This was later expanded to include certain manufactured homes, boats, and aircraft. Additionally, the Assessor's office maintains comprehensive records on all taxable properties within the boundaries of the San Diego County, including the maintenance of maps of all real property parcels. Similarly, California Stat. 1850, Ch. 58, “An Act establishing Recorders’ Offices, and defining the Duties of the Recorder and County Auditor,” was passed on April 4, 1850. The California state legislature implemented a recording system to document and preserve evidence of title to, or interest in, land. The County Recorder was tasked with the permanent recording and preservation of Official Records, defined in California Government Code section 27300 as “… permanent archival record of all instruments, papers, and notices as accepted for recording by a county recorder.” Over time, the responsibilities of the recorder evolved, adapting to changing needs and merging with the duties of other related officials. For example, in 1872, the County Recorder was designated the local registrar for birth, death, and marriage records. In July 1905 a state agency, currently the California Department of Public Heath – Vital Records unit, became the primary record holder of birth, death, and marriage records. The primary purpose of the recording system was to provide a public record of property ownership within the county and to document transfers or encumbrances affecting properties. Certain transactions in personal property were also included in the public record. This system allowed individuals intending to purchase land, the opportunity to determine the ownership and condition of a property's title in a public setting. The adopted system was based on practices in many Eastern states in 1850, which involved indexing the names of parties involved in land transactions to one volume while copying the actual document text into separate volumes. Distinct sets of indexes and volumes were allocated for each type of document, as defined by California Government Code sections 27232 through 27254. However, in 1921 the legislature authorized the use of a combined General Index for all types of documents. Section 7 of Article VI of the Constitution of the State of California (1849) established the office of the County Clerk while California Stats. 1850, Ch. 110 defined the duties of the office. The County Clerk served as the ex officio clerk of the court of sessions and probate court, attending each session of the county courts for which they held responsibility, they issued all writs, entered orders, judgments, and decrees, maintained dockets for all courts, and managed and disposed of records in accordance with the law. Additionally, the County Clerk administered oaths and accepted bonds for public officials. For a brief period beginning in 1866 with the Registry Act (California Stats. 1866, Ch. 265), the County Clerk was also responsible for recording a list of every eligible voter in the county. In 1990, an amendment to the San Diego County Charter was proposed with the intent of consolidating the responsibilities of the County Clerk and County Recorder into a single entity. A special election was called, and this merger was subsequently approved by the voters, leading to its implementation in 1991. A further amendment was proposed in 1993, aiming to consolidate the Recorder/County Clerk with the Assessor. This amendment was also approved by the voters, resulting in the establishment of the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk under the leadership of a single elected official in 1995. Today, the County Clerk in San Diego County continues to perform essential functions as defined in California Government Code sections 26801 through 26810, including the acceptance of filings for fictitious business names and notary public oaths and bonds, the issuance of marriage licenses, and conducting civil marriage ceremonies. Note that the original geographic boundaries of San Diego County included territory in present-day Imperial (formed 1907), Riverside (formed 1893), Inyo (formed 1866, expanded 1872), and San Bernardino (formed 1853) Counties.

Acquisition information:
Transferred by San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk on an on-going basis beginning in 2020. Further accruals are expected.
Processing information:

Maps are arranged in the order in which they were filed by the Recorder/County Clerk, which is map number order. Subdivision Maps filed before September 2020 were usually stored in books when they were initially filed. Some oversized Subdivision Maps were folded to fit into these books; others were rolled and stored in large rectangular boxes. During processing, these maps were removed from their original storage containers. Subdivision Maps filed from September 2020 through present are stored loose prior to being transported to the Archives. During processing, all Subdivision Maps were rehoused in archival folders with archival interleaving paper between each map sheet. These folders were then stored in flat file drawers. Maps too large to fit into a flat file drawer were rehoused onto archival tubes with archival interleaving paper between each map sheet.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Collection processed by Kiera Sullivan, Archivist, 2021-2025, with assistance from: Student Workers Adam Graves, Dominique Massey, and Valerie Whitcomb; and Assessment Clerks Stanley Bender, Jessica Galindo, Mannie Keodara, Florence Koo, Nate Pullen, and Angelena Gregorio Sanford. Finding aid written by Kiera Sullivan, Archivist, 2026.
Date Prepared:
1869-2026
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use. Please contact the San Diego County Archives staff at archives@sdcounty.ca.gov for access information.

Terms of access:

All requests for copies must be routed through the Recorder/County Clerk’s office. Please send inquiries to ARCCRecorderCountyClerk.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov. Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred citation:

San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk Subdivision Maps. San Diego County Archives, Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, Santee, CA.

Location of this collection:
10144 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, CA 92071, US
Contact:
(619) 237-0502
archives@sdcounty.ca.gov
Website