Building Safety Division

Submitting a New Building Permit Application

Submitting a New Building Permit Application

1. Complete the Building Permit Application form.(PDF, 341KB) See Guide to Complete Building Permit Application(PDF, 133KB) for information on how to fill out the permit application form.
2. Once complete, email your application to permits@santacruzca.gov. (This step is for submitting the application only, plans are not to be submitted at this step.)
   • The email subject line should read: New Application Project Address Type of Project
     • Examples for Type of Project are as follows: Remodel, Additional, ADU, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Roofing, Tenant Improvement, New Commercial Building, Etc.

Staff will contact you within 5 - 10 working days with next steps to complete your permit application. Once your application has been reviewed and processed, staff will direct you on how to pay for your application and submit required plans and documents.

Submitting for a Solar Permit

The City of Santa Cruz has partnered with SolarAPP+ to streamline the permitting process for residential rooftop solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems. This innovative platform automates the design review process, ensuring compliance with California building, electrical, and fire codes. By utilizing SolarAPP+, many residents can now obtain permits quickly and efficiently.

For all eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit our SolarAPP+ webpage.

For projects that do not meet the SolarAPP+ eligibility criteria, please submit a standard building permit application using the process outlined in the section above labeled: "Apply for Building Permit".

Submitting Plan Check Resubmittals

Email permits@santacruzca.gov to request to resubmit; see below for instructions:

• To assist in routing your email to the correct party, please compose the email subject line to include:
  • the permit number(s),
  • the job address, and
  • the words "REQUEST FOR RESUBMITTAL".
• If you are not already listed as a contact for the permit in the City record, please indicate In the body of the email your affiliation with the project. Agents representing the Owner are required to submit a notarized Owner-Agent form to enable them to submit. The form can be found here: Owner-Agent Authorization Form(PDF, 102KB)
• If you are proposing a revision to the scope of the permit, please state that in the body of the email with a detailed list of the scope changes proposed and where the changes are located in the drawing set. Please note that scope revisions made during the permit review process may require new review from other departments who had already approved based on the prior permit scope. Occasionally, Scope Revisions may require a new permit. See "Revising the Permit Scope" for additional information.
• Indicate whether you wish to submit electronic or paper plans. The Building Plans Examiner will typically indicate what format to resubmit in; however, if they don't, these are our recommendations:
  • Currently, all permits are issued with paper plans that are provided by the Applicant once all departments have approved the application
  • Sometimes it can shorten the process to submit hard copies at the last review where:
    • All departments except for Building have approved, and
    • The remaining comments are minor or can be easily redlined by the Building Plans Examiner at the approval stage. Check with your Building Plans Examiner if they have not given you instructions on what format to submit.

Please note: Plans are not to be submitted at this step.

Staff will contact you within 5-10 working days with the next steps to submit your plans.

Submitting Revisions to Permit Scope

Complete the following revision request form and submit by e-mail to permits@santacruzca.gov.

• Revision Request Form(PDF, 1MB)
• To assist in routing your email to the correct party, please compose the email subject line to include:
  • the permit number(s),
  • the job address, and
  • the words "Request for permit scope revision".
• If you are not already listed as a contact for the permit in the City record, please indicate In the body of the email your affiliation with the project. Agents representing the Owner are required to submit a notarized Owner-Agent form to enable them to submit. The form can be found here: Owner-Agent Authorization Form(PDF, 102KB)
• Please provide a detailed list of the proposed scope changes(s) and what plan sheets the change(s) are located in the body of the email.
• Please note that scope revisions may require new review from other departments who had already approved based on the prior permit scope.
• Indicate whether you wish to submit electronic or paper plans.
• Please note that additional fees may be assessed based on the revised permit scope.

Please note: Plans are not to be submitted at this step.

Staff will contact you within 5-10 working days with the next steps to submit your plans.

Important Information Regarding Scope Change

There are occasions where plans need to change during construction or even during the permit review stage of the project. The general policy of our division is to allow permit scopes to be expanded on the same permit provided that the revisions proposed relate directly to the original permit scope (e.g., a revision containing a new second-story addition could not be added to a permit issued for a kitchen remodel). When we have determined that the revision scope proposed is unreasonable to add to an existing permit, we will request a new permit application for that work.

Are you looking for a streamlined, lower-cost process to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)?

The City of Santa Cruz is now participating in a CA state mandated pre-approved ADU program. Assembly Bill No. 1332 requires each local agency, by January 1, 2025 to develop a program for the preapproval of accessory dwelling unit plans. Assembly Bill 1332 Information.

Designers/Architects/Professionals

If you are a looking to participate in a pre-approved ADU plan submittal with the City of Santa Cruz, please use the building permit application provided in the section above titled "Apply for a Building Permit".

• Please complete and submit a building permit application to permits@santacruzca.gov or
• Submit an email to bcounter@santacruzca.gov requesting additional information on this process.
• Once the application is received, the submittal instructions for the proposed pre-approved plan will be provided to you within 5-10 days from the permitting staff.

Once Approved

When your plan is reviewed and determined to be in compliance with the adopted triennial California Building Standards Code, currently 2022 CBC/CRC, it will be added to our growing list of pre-approved ADU plans for the public to choose from. We will only post architectural renderings or elevations and floor plans. Applicants will be instructed to contact the designer of the specific model type to obtain the complete set of plans for building permit application submittal.

Please note: Plans for detached ADU's that have been either previously approved by this agency or approved by other agencies in the state under the current triennial code cycle may also be submitted.

Property Owners

• Standardized construction plans that are pre-approved by the city enable a streamlined (30-day review) and lower cost permitting process in accordance with CA Assembly Bill 1332 and CA Government Code 65852.27.
• A Contractor or builder usually handles the permitting process due to state legislation that allows properties with ADU's to be non-owner occupied. However, the owner of the property should work closely with the contractor or owner's agent to assure the correct and most appropriate plan is chosen that fits their needs and property limitations.
• Consultation is highly recommended with the Current Planning Division of the Planning and Community Development Department prior to submitting the building permit application to verify correct zoning regulations can be met.
• You will be required to submit the following items for approval of a building permit:
  • A site-specific plan that shows the setbacks and location of the preapproved ADU.
  • The site plan shall also include all other previously approved structures, swimming pools/spas on the subject parcel and utilities from point of origin to termination at the proposed ADU e.g., sewer, water and electrical.

Preapproved ADU List - Coming Soon!

At this time, no plans have been preapproved by the City of Santa Cruz. Refer to this webpage for updates or reach out to the City's Building and Safety/Planning webpage with any questions.

The preapproval of any plans does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the City of Santa Cruz. Contact information will be listed on the website alphabetically, with no ranking.

• Plan Review Requirements for Residential Construction(PDF, 209KB)
• Plan Review Requirements for Commercial Construction(PDF, 105KB)
• Electronic Submittal Requirements(PDF, 223KB)
• Owner-Agent Approval Form(PDF, 102KB)
• Owner Builder Form(PDF, 141KB)
• Alternate Means_Fillable_2023.0317(PDF, 196KB)
• WUI Roofing Requirements(PDF, 215KB)
• Fillable Building Permit Application(PDF, 341KB)

• Special Inspection Forms(PDF, 516KB)
• Seismic Restraint Ordinance Worksheet(PDF, 164KB)
• CO and Smoke Affidavit(PDF, 274KB)
• FEMA A-99 Flood Hazard Zone Declaration_2022(PDF, 126KB)
• Accessibility Compliance Cost Documentation & Hardship Exemption Request(PDF, 210KB)
• Soils Report Exemptions(PDF, 112KB)
• Fuel Gas Diagram Requirements(PDF, 1MB)
• Alternate Means Forms(PDF, 196KB)

• Construction Waste Management Forms (CWMP)(PDF, 288KB)
• Residential New Construction Green Building Checklist(XLS, 494KB)
• Residential Remodel and Addition Green Building Checklist(XLS, 502KB)
• Non-Residential-NC-GB-Checklist(XLS, 483KB)
• Non-Residential TI GB Checklist 2016 Code Changes(XLS, 482KB)
• Graywater Information(PDF, 2MB)
• 2019-RES-DHW1-F (compact domestic hot water systems)(PDF, 1MB)
• Graywater Irrigation Installation Guidelines(PDF, 124KB)
• Staff Report Green Building Fee Increase(PDF, 156KB)
• Rolloff Box Brochure2022FW(PDF, 193KB)
• Green Building CC Agenda Report October 25, 2005(PDF, 114KB)

For additional Green Building resources, visit the Green Building page.

• EV Charging System Checklist - SCMC 18.06.075(PDF, 121KB)
• Expedited Solar PV Requirements Checklist(PDF, 84KB)

• 2022 Energy Code Residential Mandatory Measures(PDF, 414KB)

• Contractor Early Start Request Form_Building(PDF, 129KB)