News and Announcements

• The County of Santa Cruz Planning Department is pleased to announce that the Department is now able to accept credit and debit cards and e-checks at our permit center and online.  Click on Pay Application Fees under the Quick Links to pay fees on your application.
• 05/24/2016- FEMA CCAMP/OPC Study Preliminary Revised Flood Maps
• 04/15/2016- FEMA Coastal Flood Map Revision Information available for review
• 04/25/2016- Reduced fees for  Expedited Permitting for Solar Photovoltaic  are in affect for installations that are 10kW or less in one- and two-family dwellings. 
• 01/12/2016- Revised Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance adopted by the Board of Supervisors, effective February 12, 2016. View the strikeout / underline version here. Find updated checklist and landscape plan applications, updated installation certificates, calculators and links at the County's WELO homepage.
• 09/04/2015- Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is available for public review and comment.  The document is found online here.  The review and comment period on the updated document will run through September 18th, 2015.  The document can also be viewed at the Aptos, Live Oak, Felton and Santa Cruz Main Branches of the Santa Cruz Public Library, and in the Planning Department at the County Administrative Building.  For information contact David Carlson of the Planning Department: david.carlson@santacruzcounty.us (831) 454-3173.  Comments can also be mailed to the Planning Department, 701 Ocean Street, 4th Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
• 08/07/2015- New email box for general Zoning questions is now available. Email Zoning questions to Planning.ZoningInfo@santacruzcounty.us. It is helpful if you can also include your address or parcel number.
• Please click here for the 2015 Homeless Census & Survey.
• On August 1 2015, building permit application process and plan submittal changes take effect. See the flow chart for the new process.
• 06/12/2015- Coastal Commission certifies amendment allowing exceptions to sign standards. Ordinance 5202 effective countywide.
• 05/25/2015- Vacation rental ordinance amendment certified by Coastal Commission; now effective. See links to documents below:
  • Ordinance 5198
  • Seacliff / Aptos Designated Area (SADA) Map
• 02/24/2015- Affordable Housing Guidelines adopted by Board of Supervisors.
• 05/20/2014- Board of Supervisors approves Draft Economic Vitality Strategy for a 45-day public review and comment period ending July 7.
• 02/26/2013- Board of Supervisors approves Climate Action Strategy. See Climate Action Strategy page for details.

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