Dear Group,

I have two adjoining undeveloped parcels in California, one 2 acres and one 4. The Zoning is Agricultural/Residential-5, one house per 5 acres (a second guest or worker house is allowed). I checked with the county planning staff before purchasing, they said I could conceivably build a house on one parcel by applying for a variance due to sub-sized parcel, sell it and build on the other (using the same variance). These separate parcels have existed since 1920.

This was two years ago, and now that I'm finally considering submitting plans for one house, I'm worried I might be forced to combine the two parcels to meet the zoning. This would not be all bad, save me some on taxes, but it would be nice to know before I get started what the odds are one way or the other.

Any ideas? Apologies if I'm asking in the wrong place, maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks You,
Paul