Welcome to the County of Santa Cruz Planning Department

The 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 three Permit Centers 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.

Initial study for the Minto Housing Site

2008 Summer Internship Program