News and Announcements​

• ePlan – Building Permit Processing

  Santa Cruz County has issued over 1,000 building permits for projects using ePlan. Submittals are made electronically with pdf files, and legacy paper processes are being eliminated incrementally. Please note the following:
• Effective November 1, 2020: Building permit applications are required to use ePlan. This includes express plan check projects, construction change documents, and deferred submittals.
• Effective November 1, 2020: Property owners and applicants will access plan review corrections and application status online at the Application Status website. The process of sending correction letters will be discontinued. Website enhancements will be implemented over time.
• Approval Letters: Approval letters and related forms should be transitioned online by 2021. Check the Planning Department website for updates.

• ePermit – Instant OTC Permits Online!

  Contractors and Homeowners can process, pay & print permit cards online! Most projects meeting the over-the-counter (OTC) criteria, that do not require plan review, can be processed using ePermit. Please submit an online account request at ePermit.
  
  OTC examples include: Reroofing, water heater replacements, minor electrical alterations & service panel replacements, forced air & air conditioner unit replacements, minor mechanical alterations, minor plumbing alterations, window replacements (like for like), sheetrock/siding/stucco replacement, and fireplace inserts.

• Emergency Ordinance 26695

  On June 30th, the Board of Supervisors adopted an Emergency Ordinance enacting a temporary moratorium on issuance of new vacation rentals permits. The moratorium does not affect continued processing of vacation rental renewals.
  
  As outlined in the ordinance, no new permits shall be issued until final adoption and approval of the vacation rental ordinance amendments by the California Coastal Commission takes place. The Coastal Commission is expected to act on the amended ordinance some time this fall. For updates on the status of Coastal Commission adoption, please check the Planning Department Home Page (here) for updates.
  
  Emergency Ordinance 26695

• Sustainability Update

  The Sustainability Policy and Regulatory Update (Sustainability Update) is a comprehensive update to the County’s General Plan/Local Coastal Program and modernization of the County Code. The goal of this update is to implement new policies and code regulations that support more sustainable communities in Santa Cruz County. Click here for more information.
  The agency and public comment period on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the CEQA Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been extended until 5 p.m. on August 21st. Click here to view the NOP and/or submit comments on the scope of the EIR.

• The County is issuing a Notice of Preparation for a Draft Environmental Impact Review for a Medical Office Building. To view the item, please click here.

• Attention Multifamily Project Applicants! Find out if your project is eligible for streamlined SB 35 review using the SB 35 Streamlined Review Guide and Application Form.

• New State ADU Laws – Effective 01/01/2020

  New state laws are making it even easier to construct ADUs, starting January 1. The Santa Cruz County Code is in the process of being updated to comply with these new laws, which cover the topics of streamlined project review, reduced fees, more lenient development standards, lower parking requirements, Junior ADUs, multifamily dwelling ADUs, owner occupancy requirements, short-term rentals, nonconformities, and code enforcement. Click here for information about the new laws.

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• Accessory Dwelling Unit Survey - Attention ADU Property Owners! The County has created a survey to help improve our ADU program. If you own an ADU in Santa Cruz County, please complete our survey on the Accessory Dwelling Units website.
• March 26, 2019 - The County has reached its limit of 250 Hosted Rental Permits. The Hosted Rental Program is full; no additional permits are available at this time.
• Safe Structures Program Has Been Launched.
  This program certifies qualifying unpermitted construction as safe, habitable, and a low priority for code enforcement. Click here for eligibility criteria and an explanation of the program.
• Short-Term Rental Permits Required.
  Short-term rentals are residential rentals less than 30 days. Homeowners must obtain permits to operate Hosted Rentals (short-term room rentals) or Vacation Rentals (short-term whole house rentals). Want more information? Check out the Hosted Rentals and Vacation Rentals websites.
• Interactive ADU Website.
  The County has developed tools to help homeowners make decisions about building Accessory Dwelling Units. Check out the "Basics", Design, and "Financing an ADU" guidebooks, GIS tool, fee and cost estimators, financial assistance programs, and more, all on the Accessory Dwelling Units website!
• Did You Know? ADU Permit Fees Have Been Reduced!
• Starting January 2, 2019, ADUs 640 square feet or smaller do not pay planning permit fees. Use the fee estimator to calculate your savings!

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