Welcome to the County of Santa Cruz Planning Department

Government CenterThe Planning Department, under the authority of the Board of Supervisors, is responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing County land use policies, ordinances and regulations; administering environmental protection programs; processing and issuing building, zoning, and other development permits; and carrying out long-range community development programs. The department provides support to the Planning Commission, Housing Advisory Commission, Historic Resources Commission, and Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission.

To assist customers with the permit process and other services the Department offers, we have available information through this website as well as staff offering services at the counters in our Permit Counter and on the phone in the afternoons. The links to the left are a fast track to specific information including Brochures on many subjects or within each "Department Section" listed below. If you are a first time user or not quite sure where to find information, please visit the Department Overview where you will find a definition of each section within the Department. We are continually improving this website and we will try to keep you informed through the What's New? link above. Thank you for visiting our website.

 New General Information Desk Hours     Aptos Village Project Documents
 FAR and Residential Square Footage Determinations - Revised Administrative Guidelines
 Proposed Revisions to County Code Regarding Nonconforming Structures and Uses, Commercial Changes of Use and Related Parking Provisions, "Altered Walls" and Thresholds for Geologic Review
 March 2011 Storms - Disaster Assistance Information
 Interim Programmatic Habitat Conservation Plan (IPHCP)
 Bonny Doon Area Tree Removal Permit  Single-use Bag Reduction Ordinance
 Minor Exceptions Ordinance (now in effect outside the Coastal Zone)
 Vacation Rental Ordinance   Vacation Rental Application Information
 New Codes Announcement   Counter Hours, Effective October 4, 2010
 Fire Information

 
Department Sections:
dot Permit Counter
Building
Development Review
Environmental Planning
Housing
Code Compliance
Policy
What Would You Like to Do?

Select a quick link below for information regarding the most common planning inquiries:

To obtain over the counter permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing & roofing) see our Online Services and Forms page.

Planning Department Overview