Frequently Asked Questions |
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Select a Section | OR | Select a FAQ | |
Building |
| Q. What is the status of my Building Permit Application? |
| A. Please refer to our "Application status" web page: http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/isd/planning/alus/ALUS_GetApn.htm Using your Parcel Number, you can access the status of your application as well as the reasons for denial if an agency has denied the application. Please remember that we do not accept revisions to application plans until all departments have reviewed the application. |
| Q. Do I need a Building Permit to build a fence, shed, play structure, replace a toilet or water heater, reroof my house, etc.? |
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A. Please refer to our Building brochures: In particular, When Is a Building Permit Required? |
| Q. Where will my Building Permit Application plans be routed? |
| A. Please refer to our routing matrix |
| Q. What is the cost of a Building Permit? |
| A. The cost of individual Building Permits is unique to
each project. It is based upon the parcel and its characteristics, and the size and scope
of the project. |
| Q. How do I apply online for an Over the Counter Permit? |
| A. Please refer to our online application forms |
| Q.What are the requirements to apply for a Residential Building Permit? |
| A. Please refer to our application requirements brochure |
| Q. When does a Building Permit expire? |
| A. Building Permits will expire one year after issuance,
if no building inspections have been approved and signed off. Each time a milestone inspection is approved and signed off, the Building Permit is automatically extended for one year.
Whenever a Building Permit is about to expire, we will inform the property owner, and they can apply for a six month Building Permit Extension. This application will be routed to the agencies that originally approved the application, and will be approved if approved by these agencies. |
| Q.When does a Building Permit Application expire? |
| A. Building Permit Applications expire two years
after the application date and six months after the date of the letter informing the
applicant that the application is ready to be issued. Prior to
expiration, we will notify an applicant that the application will
soon expire. Extensions of the expiration date are rarely granted and only in
extreme cases where extenuating circumstances can be shown. |
| Q. What do I need to know about re-roofing a home? |
| A. Please refer to Reroof Inspections: and our online Over the Counter application form: |
| Q. What building codes are used in Santa Cruz? |
| A. The relevant Codes used in Santa Cruz are the 2001
California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and the 2004 Electrical Codes. These are based upon the
1997 UBC, 2000 UPC, 2000 UMC, and the 2002 NEC, and include all applicable California
State amendments. We also use the 2005 energy standards. Some sections of these codes are
amended by the Santa Cruz County
Code, which can be found at: http://ordlink.com/codes/santacruzco/index In particular, see Chapter 12 for building regulations. A discussion of the adoption of these codes is found at: http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/BDSvData/ non_legacy/agendas/2002/20020924/PDF/073.pdf The California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Codes are copyrighted documents which are not available online. |
| Q. What is the Building Information Phone Line number? |
| A. The number is 831.454.2260. We answer calls from 1 until 4 PM, daily, and guarantee a response to voice mail messages within 24 hours. |
| Q. How can I schedule an inspection online? |
| A.Please refer to our online inspection request form Also, you can schedule an inspection at: 831.454.2077 |
| Q. What inspections are required on a project? |
| A. Please refer to Typical Inspection Procedures For Single Family Dwellings: and: Minimum Final Inspection Requirements for Single Family Dwellings |
| Q. What are the accessibility issues I need to deal with for a Commercial Tenant Improvement? |
| A. Please refer to our accessibility issues |
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Code Compliance |
| Q. How do I find out if a neighbor has a Building Permit? |
| A. Call the Building Information Phone Line at 831.454.2260. We can tell you if a Building Permit has been issued if you provide us with an address or Parcel Number. |
| Q. How can I complain about a neighbor who may be building without a Permit? |
| A. You can make a code compliance complaint online Alternatively, you can fill out a written Code Complaint Form obtained from the Planning Department's General Information Desk. You will need to provide your name, as well as the address and nature of the alleged code violation. Complaints are not taken by phone. All complaints will remain confidential. |
| Q. How do I "Rectify a Redtag"? |
| A. Contact the Code Compliance Officer who issued the Redtag as soon as possible. They will direct you accordingly.For more information, please see the Code Compliance overview. |
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Environmental Planning |
| Q. When do I need a grading permit? |
A.
Generally, a grading permit is required for any of the following activities:
Please refer to our Grading brochure for more information. |
| Q. Am I in the flood zone and what is my flood zone designation? |
| A. For flood zone information please refer to our Interactive GIS Map. Use the APN search tool to enter the parcel number in question and make sure the Floodway-Floodplain layer is visible. Scroll along the database at the bottom of the map to the appropriate field(s) in question. |
| Q. When will I need to submit a soils report? |
| A. Please refer to our Soils Report Requirement Guidelines brochure |
| Q. When will I need to submit a geologic report? |
| A. Please refer to our Soils and Engineering Reports Brochure brochure |
| Q. Do I need a permit to remove a tree? |
| A. Please refer to our tree removal brochure |
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General Department Information |
| Q. What is a 'Hold' and how do I get it removed? |
| A. Please refer to our brochure concerning holds |
| Q. How do I make an appointment to submit a building permit? |
| A. Please contact the General Information Desk (GID) at 831.454.3252 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, daily. |
| Q. What is the Building Permit history or Redtag history of a property? |
| A. This information is not presently available on the internet. Some information can be obtained by calling the Building Information Phone Line at 831.454.2260 between 1 and 4 PM, daily. The Assessor's Parcel Number or address will be required. More detailed information can be obtained by visiting one of the Planning Departments three permit centers during the hours of operation. |
| Q. Where can I find the Santa Cruz County Code? |
| A. You will find the County Code here: http://ordlink.com/codes/santacruzco/index.htm |
| Q. How do I get a septic or well permit? |
| A. Please contact the Environmental Health Department.
Their phone number is 831.454.2022, and their web site can be found at: http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/eh/ehhome.htm |
| Q. What is the general application process? |
| A. Please refer to our Permit application flow chart at: |
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Zoning and Development |
| Q. What is the zoning designation of my property and what does it mean? |
| A. Your zoning designation can be found using the GIS Interactive Map. You will need to have your parcel number. Once you have determined your zoning you may refer to the appropriate section in the County Code by entering your zoning into the search utility. For example, the search RA Use will result in section 13.10.322 Residential Uses which will display the uses for Residential Agriculture zoned property. |
| Q. What is the status of my Discretionary Permit Application? |
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A. Please refer to our Application status web page: Using your Parcel Number, you can access the status of your application. Comments from reviewing agencies are not available for discretionary applications because they are advisory to a decision on the project which will be made later. For specific questions contact the project planner assigned to your project. |
| Q. What are the setbacks, height limits, zoning characteristics, planning requirements, lot coverage, floor area ratio, etc. of my property? |
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A. These questions can be answered by our Permit Centers
and in particular, our Zoning brochures and the County Code, Chapter 13 at: http://ordlink.com/codes/santacruzco/index.htm If you cannot find the information you want there, please call the Zoning Information Phone Line at 831.454.2130 between 1 and 4 PM, daily. |
| Q. How do I get a business license? |
A. In order to determine if you need a business license, it is
best that you speak directly with a staff person at one of our Permit Centers.
If you will be operating out of your home please review our brochure
on Home Occupations. If the business will be based within city limits, please contact
the respective city planning department. Be sure to check with the tax and license division in each city you
intend to operate.
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| Q. Is my lot buildable? |
| A. Please refer to our brochure concerning parcel buildability: although it is recommended that you speak directly with staff at our Permit Centers. |
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