TEMPORARY OCCUPANCY OF MOBILEHOME, TRAVEL TRAILERS OR RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FOLLOWING A NATURAL DISASTER

The County of Santa Cruz allows property owners to temporarily occupy a mobilehome, travel trailer or RV on a property when a residence on that property has been destroyed or has been determined to be uninhabitable by the Building Official, and there has been a declaration of emergency by the Board of Supervisors.  The issuance of a Building Permit for the temporary occupancy of a mobilehome, travel trailer or RV will have the following requirements:

• The residence that was destroyed was a legal residence.
• The temporary residence will be located at or near the destroyed residence and does not require major earthmoving.
• The property owner enters into an agreement with the County guaranteeing that the temporary residence will be removed from the property (or have utilities disconnected, in the case of a trailer or RV) following completion of the permanent replacement residence or within 2 years, whichever is sooner.
• The proposed location of the temporary residence must not be in a geologically hazardous location.
• The temporary residence must be connected to septic and water systems acceptable to Environmental Health Services.
• The property must be properly addressed and signed at the site.
• In addition, for mobilehomes a State HCD approved foundation system is required.

The following information or materials will need to be submitted with your application:

• a minimal site plan of the property showing where the former residence was located and where the temporary residence will be located (4 copies), and showing the following:
• roads and driveways
• electrical utility poles
• septic system, water and gas locations
• detailed driving directions to the property
• for homes built prior to 1956, evidence to support that the structure existed at that time

You will need to submit your application at one of these two Permit centers:

• Santa Cruz (701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz); M-F 8-11:30 am
• Aptos (8045 Soquel Drive, Aptos); T-TH 1-4:30 pm

The location of the proposed temporary residence needs to be staked or otherwise designated within 1 day following the application.

The application will be reviewed by Environmental Planning to conduct a site visit to make sure that the temporary residence will not be located in a geologically hazardous area.  Environmental Health Services will also review the application to verify that the septic and water systems are acceptable.

Following issuance of the Building Permit for the temporary structure, the following inspections will need to be scheduled with a Building Inspector and Environmental Health:

1. The connection to the potable water supply.  Appropriate piping is required.
2. The connection to the septic system.  Appropriate piping is required.
3. The gas line from the propane tank to the unit.  This line needs to be in an open trench for the inspection.
4. The electrical system has been correctly installed, including receptacles and/or breakers as appropriate for the type of power connection.
5. For mobilehomes, a proper temporary foundation must be installed.

For more information regarding the Building Permit for a travel trailer or an RV as a temporary residence contact the Building Counter by telephone, M-F 1-4pm at 454-2260.

For information regarding septic system and water system clearances, contact the Environmental Health Land Use Team M-F 8-9:30 am at 454-2022.

For information regarding the cleanup of ash and hazardous materials, contact the Hazardous Materials Team at 454-2022.