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Welcome to the Planning Division of CDI

As of February 1, 2022, The Planning Department has integrated with the Department of Public Works to create the Community Development & Infrastructure Department. A new CDI website is under development. Planning Division information will continue to be available here until the new website is released. See here for additional information on our Department integration.

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News and Announcements​

Santa Cruz County Sustainability Update Logo

The Santa Cruz County Sustainability Update has launched!

This project is a comprehensive update to Santa Cruz 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 will support more sustainable communities in Santa Cruz County and shape land use and transportation planning in Santa Cruz County for many years to come.

DRAFT DOCUMENTS are available for review online and in hard copy at the Planning Department front counter and at the Downtown and Capitola libraries. Visit the project website to learn more at www.sccoplanning.com/SustainabilityUpdate. 

New this week: Participate in the ONLINE SURVEY! Join us virtually on Wednesday, June 22nd for the third study session of a series of PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSIONS that will be held from May through July 2022.

  • New State Laws
  • The Planning Department has prepared public materials to help property owners understand new state laws in effect starting on January 1, 2022. Please use the links below to learn more about how these new laws might apply to your housing project.
    • • SB 8: extends the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330) to encourage more housing production [SB 330/SB8 Guide] [SB 330 Pre-Application]
    • • SB 9: increases development potential on eligible urban single-family zoned lots [SB 9 Guide]
    • • SB 478: encourages development of small-scale multifamily “missing middle” housing [SB 478 Guide]
    • • AB 803: allows subdivision of multifamily-zoned lots for single-family starter homes [AB 803 Guide]
  • ADU Ordinance Adopted
  • On March 11, 2022, the California Coastal Commision certified the updated ADU ordinance with no changes. Find more information here. 
  • Year 2022 Growth Goal Adopted
  • Santa Cruz County Code sets out a growth management system that implements Measure J, the Growth Management Initiative approved by County voters in 1978. Each year, the Board of Supervisors is required to establish an annual population growth rate that represents Santa Cruz County's fair share of statewide population growth. On September 28, 2021, the Board of Supervisors adopted a 0.25% growth rate for the year 2022. You can find more information here: Board of Supervisors Public Hearing, September 28, 2021, Year 2022 Growth Goal
  • Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
  • The 2021 update of the County’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is now available. You can find more information and links to the documents here.