Building

The Permit Centers Section is responsible for the administration of the building permit process - including screening projects for zoning conformance, screening building plans at intake to be sure they are reviewable by all appropriate agencies; routing plans to review agencies and tracking/monitoring the review process; preparing two final sets of plans; calculating fees; issuing permits; and communicating with applicants.

The Building Plan Check function of the Department is responsible for reviewing each set of building plans for compliance with the building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy and accessibility codes.

The Building Inspections unit is responsible for inspecting all permitted work to ensure it conforms to the approved plans, or to the appropriate codes and land ordinances when there are no plans.

newBuilding Design - Code Criteria

new New Building Codes: Effective January 1, 2008 the County of Santa Cruz adopted new building codes. These codes are: 2007 California Building Code (CBC) , 2007 California Electric Code (CEC) , 2007 California Plumbing Code (CPC) , 2007 California Mechanical Code (CMC) , 2007 California Energy Code , 2007 California Historical Code

These California codes are adopted by reference in County Code Chapter 12.10 and users should refer to both County Code Chapter 12.10 and the California codes in researching code issues.

Code books are available for review at the Planning Department records room counter on the 4th Floor of the County Building at 701 Ocean and at the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors on the 5th Floor.

California codes can be purchased online at the International Code Council web site: www.iccsafe.org  - ICC Store - State and Local Codes.

 DRAFT Green Building Program Checklist/Scorecard (to be required in 2010)
 DRAFT Green Building Features List for Small Projects (to be required in 2010)

Brochures
Building brochures and handouts
 
 
Building Permit Application Routing Matrix
This is the matrix used by the building counter staff to determine which agencies review a building permit application.
 
Building Permit Process Flow Chart
This flow chart shows the building permit application and review process. Click on each step for detailed information about each step in the process.
 
Counter Service Customer Satisfaction Survey

We value your comments and suggestions. Please take a few moments to let us know how we are doing.

 
Green Building Glossary
Definitions of important green building terms
 
Green Building Checklist
For new construction, remodels and additions
 
DRAFT Green Building Program Checklist/Scorecard
(to be required in 2010)
 
DRAFT Green Building Features List for Small Projects
(to be required in 2010)
 
Online Services & Forms
Over the counter permits, extensions of active building permits etc.
 
County Code
Link to the Santa Cruz County Code
 
Contractors State License Board
The CSLB protects consumers by regulating the construction industry through policies that promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public in matters relating to construction.
 
2002 Code Adoption Documents
Board letter describing the main changes to the Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical codes and ordinance passed by the Board adopting the 2002 State Codes which become effective November 1, 2002.
Email Building for questions