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Title 16

Santa Cruz County Planning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Santa Cruz County

ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE PROTECTION

Chapter 16.01 PROCEDURES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES

  • 16.01.010. Purpose. 16.01.020. Definitions. 16.01.030. CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines to serve as County of Santa Cruz environmental review procedures.

  • 16.01.040. Applicants—Information to be furnished.

  • 16.01.050. Decisions to consider environmental factors.

  • 16.01.060. Fees.

Chapter 16.10 GEOLOGIC HAZARDS

  • 16.10.010. Purpose. 16.10.020. Scope.

  • 16.10.022. Statutory authorization.

  • 16.10.025. Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard.

  • 16.10.030. Amendment procedure. 16.10.035. Conflict with existing regulations.

  • 16.10.036. Warning and disclaimer of liability.

  • 16.10.037. Severability. 16.10.040. Definitions. 16.10.050. Requirements for geologic assessment.

  • 16.10.060. Assessment and report preparation and review.

  • 16.10.070. Permit conditions. 16.10.080. Project density limitations.

  • 16.10.090. Project denial. 16.10.100. Exceptions. 16.10.105. Notice of geologic hazards in cases of dangerous conditions.

  • 16.10.110. Appeals. 16.10.120. Violations. 16.10.130. Fees.

Chapter 16.10A GEOLOGIC HAZARDS

  • 16.10A.010. Purpose. 16.10A.020. Scope. 16.10A.022. Statutory authorization. 16.10A.025. Reserved.

  • 16.10A.030. Amendment procedure.

  • 16.10A.035. Conflict with existing regulations.

  • 16.10A.036. Warning and disclaimer of liability.

  • 16.10A.037. Severability. 16.10A.040. Definitions. 16.10A.050. Requirements for geologic and geotechnical assessment.

  • 16.10A.060. Assessment and report preparation and review.

  • 16.10A.070. Incorporation of technical recommendations into project.

  • 16.10A.080. Project density limitations. 16.10A.090. Project denial. 16.10A.100. Exceptions.

  • 16.10A.105. Notice of geologic hazards in cases of dangerous conditions.

  • 16.10A.110. Appeals. 16.10A.120. Violations. 16.10A.130. Fees.

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County of Santa Cruz, CA

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE

Chapter 16.11 16.13.160-J. "J" Definitions.
VELOP MENT MORATORIUM IN 16.13.160-K. "K" Definitions.
REAS OF CRITICAL CONCERN 16.13.160-L. "L" Definitions.
16.13.160-M. "M" Definitions.
Chapter 16.13 16.13.160-N. "N" Definitions.
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
REGULATIONS		 16.13.160-O. "O" Definitions.
16.13.160-P. "P" Definitions.
Part I 16.13.160-Q. "Q" Definitions.
ENER AL AND APPLICABILITY 16.13.160-R. "R" Definitions.
16.13.160-S. "S" Definitions.
.010. Statutory authorization. 16.13.160-T. "T" Definitions.
.020. Findings of fact. 16.13.160-U. "U" Definitions.
.030. Statement of purpose. 16.13.160-V. "V" Definitions.
.040. Scope. 16.13.160-W. "W" Definitions.
.050. Methods of reducing flood 16.13.160-X. "X" Definitions.
losses. 16.13.160-Y. "Y" Definitions.
.060. Basis for establishing flood 16.13.160-Z. "Z" Definitions.
hazard areas. 16.13.170. Terms defined in other
.070. Amendment procedure. codes.
.080. Abrogation and greater 16.13.180. Terms not defined.
restrictions.
.090. Warning. Part III
.100. Liability. ADMINISTRATION
.110. Severability.
.120. Coordination with building 16.13.190. Designations.
codes. 16.13.200. Duties and powers of the
.130. Areas to which this chapter Floodplain Administrator.
applies. 16.13.210. Applications and permits.
.140. Other laws. 16.13.220. Determinations for existing
.150. Interpretation. structures.
16.13.230. Modifications of the strict
Part II application of the provisions
DEFINITIONS of the building codes.
16.13.240. Notices and orders.
.160. Definitions. 16.13.250. Inspections.
.160-A.
"A" Definitions.		 16.13.260. Other duties of the
.160-B.
"B" Definitions.		 Floodplain Administrator.
.160-C.
"C" Definitions.		 16.13.270. Department records.

Chapter 16.11 DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM IN AREAS OF CRITICAL CONCERN

Part I GENERAL AND APPLICABILITY 16.13.010. Statutory authorization. 16.13.020. Findings of fact. 16.13.030. Statement of purpose. 16.13.040. Scope. 16.13.050. Methods of reducing flood losses. 16.13.060. Basis for establishing flood hazard areas. 16.13.070. Amendment procedure. 16.13.080. Abrogation and greater restrictions. 16.13.090. Warning. 16.13.100. Liability. 16.13.110. Severability. 16.13.120. Coordination with building codes. 16.13.130. Areas to which this chapter applies. 16.13.140. Other laws. 16.13.150. Interpretation. Part II DEFINITIONS 16.13.160. Definitions. 16.13.160-A. "A" Definitions. 16.13.160-B. "B" Definitions. 16.13.160-C. "C" Definitions. 16.13.160-D. "D" Definitions. 16.13.160-E. "E" Definitions. 16.13.160-F. "F" Definitions. 16.13.160-G. "G" Definitions. 16.13.160-H. "H" Definitions. 16.13.160-I. "I" Definitions.

Part IV PERMITS

16.13.280. Permits required.

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County of Santa Cruz, CA

ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE PROTECTION

16.13.290. Floodplain development Article 1A
permit. Structures
16.13.300. Buildings and structures
exempt from a building 16.13.450.
Design and construction of
permit are subject to the new and substantially
requirements of this improved structures.
chapter. 16.13.460.
General
16.13.310. Application for a permit. standards—Floodplains.
16.13.320. Validity of permit. 16.13.470.
General
16.13.330. Notice of hazards. standards—Floodways.
16.13.340. Permit requirements. 16.13.480.
General standards—Coastal
16.13.350. Other conditions. high hazard area.
16.13.360. Determination of the base 16.13.490.
Manufactured homes.
flood elevation. 16.13.500.
Nonhabitable accessory
16.13.370. Expiration and extension. structures.
16.13.380. Suspension or revocation. 16.13.510.
Underground and
aboveground tanks.
Part V
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS		 16.13.520.
Temporary structures and
storage.
16.13.530.
Swimming pools.
16.13.390. Information for all 16.13.540.
Critical and public facilities.
construction and 16.13.550.
Utility and Miscellaneous
development in flood hazard Group U.
areas.
16.13.400. Information in flood hazard Article 2
areas without base flood Creation Of New Parcels
elevations.
16.13.410. Additional analyses and 16.13.560.
Creation of new parcels.
certifications. 16.13.570.
Project density limitations.
16.13.420. Submission of additional
data to FEMA. Article 3
16.13.430. Additional information for Site Improvements, Utilities And
buildings and structures in Limitations
flood hazard areas.
16.13.580.
General requirements.
Part VI 16.13.590.
Sanitary sewage facilities.
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS 16.13.600.
Water supply facilities.
Article 1 16.13.610.
Grading and placement of
fill.
Permit Conditions 16.13.620.
Limitations on sites in
16.13.440. Permit conditions. coastal high hazard areas.
Article 4
Recreational Vehicles
16.13.630.
Temporary placement.

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County of Santa Cruz, CA

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE

16.13.640. Permanent placement.
Article 5
Other Development
16.13.650. General requirements for
other development.
16.13.660. Fences in floodways.
16.13.670. Flood control structures.
16.13.680. Roads and watercourse
crossings in floodways.
16.13.690. Decks and patios in coastal
high hazard areas.
16.13.700. Other development in
coastal high hazard areas.
16.13.710. Nonstructural fill in coastal
high hazard areas.

  • Part VII

  • INSPECTIONS

  • 16.13.720. General. 16.13.730. Buildings and structures. 16.13.740. Development other than buildings and structures.

  • 16.13.750. Right of entry.

Part VIII BUILDING PERMIT FINAL INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS 16.13.760. Use and occupancy of buildings and structures. Part IX EXCEPTIONS 16.13.770. General. 16.13.780. Limitations on authority. 16.13.790. Restrictions in floodways. 16.13.800. Reason for request. 16.13.810. Nature of exception. 16.13.820. Criteria for issuance of exceptions. 16.13.830. Conditions for issuance of exceptions.

  • 16.13.840. Required findings. 16.13.850. Notice.

  • 16.13.860. Records.

  • Part X

  • VIOLATIONS

  • 16.13.870. Compliance. 16.13.880. Actions constituting a violation.

Part XI PROJECT DENIAL 16.13.890. Project denial.

Part XII NOTICES OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS IN CASES OF DANGEROUS CONDITIONS 16.13.900. Issuance and recordation of notices of geologic and/or flood hazards. 16.13.910. Abatement procedures. Part XIII APPEALS 16.13.920. Appeals. Part XIV FEES 16.13.930. Fees.

Chapter 16.20 GRADING REGULATIONS

  • 16.20.010. Purpose.

  • 16.20.020. Scope.

  • 16.20.025. Amendment. 16.20.030. Definitions.

  • 16.20.040. Approval required. 16.20.050. Exemptions.

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County of Santa Cruz, CA

ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE PROTECTION

16.20.055. Special exemption for 16.20A.030. Definitions.
prevention or mitigation of 16.20A.040. Approval required.
16.20.060. Pajaro River/Salsipuedes
Creek flooding.
Application.		 16.20A.050.
16.20A.055.		 Exemptions.
Special exemption for
prevention or mitigation of
16.20.070. Variances. Pajaro River/Salsipuedes
16.20.080. Approval limitations and Creek flooding.
conditions. 16.20A.060. Application.
16.20.090. Environmental review. 16.20A.070. Exceptions.
16.20.100. Hazardous conditions. 16.20A.080. Approval limitations and
16.20.110. Diking, dredging and filling. conditions.
16.20.115. Shoreline protection 16.20A.090. Environmental review.
structures. 16.20A.100. Hazardous conditions.
16.20.116. Emergency approvals. 16.20A.110. Diking, dredging and filling.
16.20.120. Fees. 16.20A.115. Shoreline and coastal bluff
16.20.130. Securities. protection structures.
16.20.140. Design standards for 16.20A.116. Emergency permit
excavations. approvals.
16.20.150. Design standards for fills. 16.20A.120. Fees.
16.20.160. Cut and fill slope setback. 16.20A.130. Securities.
16.20.170. Design standards for 16.20A.140. Design standards for
drainage facilities and excavations.
terraces. 16.20A.150. Design standards for fills.
16.20.180. Design standards for rural 16.20A.160. Cut and fill slope setback.
private roads and
driveways.		 16.20A.170. Design standards for
drainage facilities and
16.20.195. Agricultural grading. terraces.
16.20.200. Inspection and compliance. 16.20A.180. Design standards for private
16.20.210. Grading violations. roads and driveways.
16.20.220. Transfer of responsibility. 16.20A.185. Exceptions to standards for
16.20.230. Completion and approval. private roads and
16.20.240. Recording notice of driveways.
violation. 16.20A.195. Agricultural grading.
16.20.250. Removal of notice of 16.20A.200. Inspection and compliance.
violation. 16.20A.210. Grading violations.
16.20.260. Abatement of nuisance. 16.20A.220. Transfer of responsibility.
16.20.270. Penalties. 16.20A.230. Completion and approval.
16.20.280. Appeals. 16.20A.240. Recording notice of
violation.
Chapter 16.20A 16.20A.250. Removal of notice of
GRADING REGULATIONS violation.
16.20A.260. Abatement of nuisance.
16.20A.010. Purpose. 16.20A.270. Penalties.
16.20A.020. Scope. 16.20A.280. Appeals.
16.20A.025. Amendment.

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County of Santa Cruz, CA

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE

Chapter 16.22
EROSION CONTROL
16.22.010.
Purpose.
16.22.020.
Scope.
16.22.025.
Amendment.
16.22.030.
Definitions.
16.22.040.
General provisions.
16.22.050.
Project design.
16.22.060.
Erosion control plan.
16.22.070.
Runoff control.
16.22.080.
Land clearing approval.
16.22.090.
Winter operations.
16.22.100.
Overall responsibility.
16.22.110.
Exemptions.
16.22.120.
Variances.
16.22.130.
Fees.
16.22.140.
Inspection and compliance.
16.22.150.
Applicable laws and
regulations.
16.22.160.
Violations.
16.22.161.
Right of entry.
16.22.162.
Stop notices.
16.22.163.
Notification of violations.
16.22.164.
Nuisance abatement of
violation.
16.22.165.
Recording notice of
violation.
16.22.170.
Penalties.
16.22.180.
Enforcement.
16.22.190.
Appeals.

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▸ Contents — Santa Cruz County Planning Code
Santa Cruz County Planning Code
  1. Title 14
  2. ▸ Title 16
    Overview
    1. Chapter 16 — 22A EROSION CONTROL
    2. Chapter 16.30 — RIPARIAN CORRIDOR AND WETLANDS PROTECTION
    3. Chapter 16.01 — PROCEDURES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA …
    4. Chapter 16.10
    5. Chapter 16 — 10A
    6. Chapter 16.11 — DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM IN AREAS OF CRITICAL CO…
    7. Part I — General And Applicability
    8. Part II — Definitions
    9. Part III — Administration
    10. Part IV — Permits
    11. Part V — Construction Documents
    12. Part VI — Development Standards
    13. Part VII — Inspections
    14. Part VIII
    15. Part IX — Exceptions
    16. Part X
    17. Part XI — Project Denial
    18. Part XII
  3. Title 17
  4. Title 19

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