Title 13 — Planning and Zoning Regulations›Part VII — Definitions
Chapter 13.14 — RURAL RESIDENTIAL DENSITY DETERMINATIONS
Santa Cruz County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Santa Cruz County
13.14.010. Purpose. ¶
The purpose of this chapter is to allow for a consistent determination of the development potential of rural land parcels based upon the availability of services, environmental and site-specific constraints, and resource protection factors mandated by Measure J, the growth management system, its implementing ordinances and policies, the County's General Plan and the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan.
(Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 4406 § 13, 1996; Ord. 4416 § 13, 1996)
13.14.020. Scope. ¶
This chapter outlines 10 criteria or factors, called matrices, which assess the development potential of rural properties based on resources unique to a particular site, and establishes the basis upon
which detailed site information supplied by an applicant can be accepted in lieu of general data otherwise available to County Planning staff for matrix determinations. (Ord. 3026, 1980; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982)
13.14.025. Amendment. ¶
Any revision to this chapter which applies to the Coastal Zone shall be reviewed by the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission to determine whether it constitutes an amendment to the Local Coastal Program. When an ordinance revision constitutes an amendment to the Local Coastal Program such revision shall be processed pursuant to the hearing and notification provisions of Chapter 18.60 SCCC and shall be subject to approval by the California Coastal Commission.
(Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982)
13.14.030. Definitions. ¶
The following definitions shall apply to rural residential matrix determinations in addition to those found in the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan glossary.
(A) Allowable Average Density.
- The matrix system shall allow averaging of parcel sizes in order to obtain required lot sizes. (No lot may be created, however, through use of the averaging provision which would be smaller than an absolute minimum parcel size established by the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan within the Coastal Zone except where allowed by a development permit.)
When two or more parcels are averaged for the purpose of creating a smaller parcel, the larger parcel(s) shall be appropriately conditioned so that the larger acreage may not be counted again toward other subsequent land divisions, and such conditions be required to be stated as restrictions in any deed conveying the larger acreage.
(B) Area of Proposed Development Activities.
Development areas include the portion or portions of the property which would be utilized by proposed development for building sites, septic systems, primary and secondary access roads and other development-related structures or facilities, such as water storage tanks.
(C) Recently Active.
A geologic feature (fault trace or landslide) which shows evidence of movement or activity within the last 10,000 years is considered recently active.
(Ord. 3026, 1980; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3434 § 1, 1983; Ord. 4346 § 39, 1994; Ord. 4406 § 14, 1996; Ord. 4416 § 14, 1996)
13.14.040. Application. ¶
- (A) This chapter shall apply to the rural areas of the County outside of the urban services line and the rural services line (USL and RSL), and shall include all tentative map approvals for land divisions and all development permits issued pursuant to Chapter 18.10 SCCC. Included in these categories are all applications to create additional parcels, additional housing units, additional visitor accommodations, or additional organized camp facilities on land designated in the General Plan as suburban residential, rural residential, mountain residential, parks and recreation, resource conservation, or noncommercial agriculture. The development of farmworker housing as defined in SCCC § 13.10.631(C) on property in the A (Agriculture) Zone
District is an agricultural use and is not subject to the residential density determinations in this chapter. Existing development on a parcel shall be deducted from the intensity of use allowed by this chapter in determining the amount of additional development (if any) to be allowed on the property.
(B) This chapter shall not prevent the development of a single residential unit on an existing legal parcel of record.
(C) This chapter shall not require the decision-making body to approve the minimum lot sizes or maximum densities of use determined by the matrices of this chapter if a denial or modification of the project is required by the policies of the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan or by other overriding concerns which are reflected in findings required by State law or County ordinances.
(D) If a use permit was issued and exercised prior to December 23, 1980, which allows the construction of two to four dwelling units on one parcel, and the appropriate findings for a land division can be made, the matrix system shall not be used to limit the division of that parcel into fewer lots than the number of dwelling units which were originally approved. The density of the proposed division may be deemed to comply with the General Plan by virtue of the fact that the approved use permit constitutes existing development.
(Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3434 § 2, 1983; Ord. 3594 § 1, 1984; Ord. 4346 § 40, 1994; Ord. 4406
§ 15, 1996; Ord. 4416 § 15, 1996; Ord. 5321 § 6, 2019)
13.14.050. Rural residential density determinations. ¶
In order to calculate the allowable average density, a parcel shall be evaluated based upon the following criteria (in order of occurrence):
(A) Developable Land. Acreage of nondevelopable land (as defined in the General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan glossary) must be subtracted from gross acreage to arrive at developable land.
(B) Matrix Calculations. Developable land is evaluated through the criteria in the matrix system (SCCC § 13.14.060 ) to arrive at a preliminary allowable average parcel size.
(C) Overriding Minimum Acreage Policies. The parcel is examined to determine if it is subject to any overriding General Plan policies, or Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan policies, requiring a minimum gross acreage parcel size (e.g., watershed land, fire hazard areas, fault zones, etc.). Such minimum parcel size restrictions, if applicable, take precedence over the preliminary allowed average density in the event of a conflict. (See SCCC § 13.14.070 .)
(D) Final Allowable Average Density. The matrix calculations in subsection (B) of this section shall become the final maximum allowable average density for the parcel unless modified pursuant to subsection (C) of this section.
(Ord. 3026, 1980; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 4346 § 41, 1994)
13.14.060. Matrix calculation. ¶
- (A) Individual matrix calculations are based upon a site-specific analysis of resources and constraints, using the best available data (see SCCC § 13.14.080 ), for each of the following 10 matrices. Any property which is split by a General Plan or matrix designation shall have points awarded proportionate to the amount of developable acreage within each designation.
| (1) LOCATION MATRIX* TYPE OF ACCESS |
(1) LOCATION MATRIX* TYPE OF ACCESS |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Designation Category |
All Lots Fronting On or Within 500' (Road as Traveled) of a County Maintained Road and Accessed from That Road |
All Lots Served by a Private Road 18-Foot Width |
Lots Served by a 12- Foot Road with Turnouts |
| (Suburban) (1—5 acre areas) |
15 | 13 | 12 |
| (Rural Residential Rural Homesites) (2-1/2—20 acre areas) |
10 | 8 | 7 |
| (Mountain Residential) (10 —40 acre areas) |
5 | 2 | 0 |
- In the Coastal Zone portion of the North Coast and Bonny Doon Planning Areas, prohibit new land divisions located more than one-half mile by road from a publicly maintained road. (GP/LUP Policy 6.5.10)
| (2) GROUNDWATER QUALITY MATRIX TYPE OF SUPPLY |
(2) GROUNDWATER QUALITY MATRIX TYPE OF SUPPLY |
(2) GROUNDWATER QUALITY MATRIX TYPE OF SUPPLY |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | County or Municipal Water District |
Private or Mutual Well System |
Private or Mutual Surface Diversion |
|
| 0 | Groundwater Supply at or Exceeding Safe Yield |
0 | 0 | 0 |
| I | Inadequate Quantity Poor Quality | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| II | Inadequate Quantity Good Quality |
5 | 4 | 2 |
| III | Adequate Quantity Poor Quality | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| IV | Adequate Quantity Good Quality | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| (3) WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MATRIX GROUNDWATER BASIN TYPE |
(3) WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MATRIX GROUNDWATER BASIN TYPE |
(3) WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MATRIX GROUNDWATER BASIN TYPE |
||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Characteristics of Sanitation System |
Outside Primary Recharge and Water Supply Watershed Areas |
Outside Primary Recharge Area but Within Water Supply Watershed |
Within Primary Recharge Area but Outside Water Supply Watershed |
Within Both Primary Recharge and Water Supply Watershed Areas |
| Public Sanitation System |
10 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Package Treatment Plant or Septic System Maintenance District |
9 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Septic Systems in Areas without Known Problems |
6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| (3) WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MATRIX GROUNDWATER BASIN TYPE |
(3) WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MATRIX GROUNDWATER BASIN TYPE |
(3) WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION MATRIX GROUNDWATER BASIN TYPE |
||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Characteristics of Sanitation System |
Outside Primary Recharge and Water Supply Watershed Areas |
Outside Primary Recharge Area but Within Water Supply Watershed |
Within Primary Recharge Area but Outside Water Supply Watershed |
Within Both Primary Recharge and Water Supply Watershed Areas |
| Septic Systems within Septic Tank System Problems Areas |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
(4) TIMBER RESOURCES MATRIX
| (4) TIMBER RESOURCES MATRIX | (4) TIMBER RESOURCES MATRIX | (4) TIMBER RESOURCES MATRIX |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Urban Services Line | PARCEL SIZE* | |
| Less than 20 Acres | 20 Acres or Larger | |
| Less than 1/2 mile | 8 | 0 |
| 1/2—2 miles | 6 | 0 |
| More than 2 miles | 4 | 0 |
- Properties without a "timber resources" designation on the General Plan or TP zoning receive a score of 10.
| (5) BIOTIC RESOURCE MATRIX | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of Biotic Resource | Points | |
| I | Development Activities Outside Designated Sensitive Habitats | 10 |
| II | Development Activities Proposed within Sensitive Habitat | 5 |
| III | Development Activities Proposed within an Area of Critical Wildlife, Vegetation or Rare Plant Habitats |
0 |
| *IV | Sensitive Habitats | 0 |
- In the Coastal Zone, development must comply with the standards of the sensitive habitat protection ordinance.
| (6) EROSION MATRIX AVERAGE SLOPES |
(6) EROSION MATRIX AVERAGE SLOPES |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrock Geology | 0—15% | 16—30% | 31—50% |
| Granitics, Metamorphics, Terrace Deposits | 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Santa Cruz Mudstone, Mindego, Purisima, Locatelli, Monterey, Alluvium |
10 | 8 | 5 |
| Lompico, Vequeros, Lambert, Butano, Zayante, San Lorenzo |
8 | 5 | 2 |
| Santa Margarita, Aromas | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| (7) SEISMIC ACTIVITY MATRIX AREAS OF LIQUEFACTION |
(7) SEISMIC ACTIVITY MATRIX AREAS OF LIQUEFACTION |
(7) SEISMIC ACTIVITY MATRIX AREAS OF LIQUEFACTION |
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fault Zone | Very High Potential |
Moderately High Potential |
Moderate Potential |
| San Andreas San Gregorio |
0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zayante | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Corralitos | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Sargent, Butano | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| None | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| (8) LANDSLIDE MATRIX AVERAGE SLOPES |
(8) LANDSLIDE MATRIX AVERAGE SLOPES |
||
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bedrock Geological Conditions | 0—15% | 16—30% | 31—50% |
| Alluvium | 10 | 9 | (N/A) |
| Granitics, Metamorphics, Terrace Deposits | 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Santa Margarita, Lompico, Santa Cruz Mudstone, Mindego, Locatelli, Monterey |
10 | 9 | 7 |
| Vaqueros, Butano, Purisima, Zayante, Lambert Shale |
9 | 8 | 5 |
| San Lorenzo | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| Aromas | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Evidence of recently active landslides on the property in the area of proposed development activities* |
2 | 0 | 0 |
- Properties having a landslide that could adversely affect the stability of the proposed development, or that indicates general geologic conditions of instability on the property, must be evaluated in the bedrock category.
| (9) FIRE HAZARD MATRIX Location and Road Standards |
(9) FIRE HAZARD MATRIX Location and Road Standards |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entire Property Outside Critical Fire Hazard Area on 18-Foot Road |
Entire Property Outside Critical Fire Hazard Area on 12-Foot Road with Turnouts |
Parts of Property in Critical Fire Hazard Area with Building Site Located Outside with 18-Foot Road |
Parts of Property in Critical Fire Hazard Area with Building Site Located Outside with 12-Foot Road with Turnouts |
Building Sites within Mitigatable Critical Hazard Areas |
|
| Less Than 10 Minutes Response Time on Non-Dead End Road |
15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Less Than 10 Minutes Response Time |
13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| (9) FIRE HAZARD MATRIX Location and Road Standards |
(9) FIRE HAZARD MATRIX Location and Road Standards |
||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entire Property Outside Critical Fire Hazard Area on 18-Foot Road |
Entire Property Outside Critical Fire Hazard Area on 12-Foot Road with Turnouts |
Parts of Property in Critical Fire Hazard Area with Building Site Located Outside with 18-Foot Road |
Parts of Property in Critical Fire Hazard Area with Building Site Located Outside with 12-Foot Road with Turnouts |
Building Sites within Mitigatable Critical Hazard Areas |
|
| on Dead End Road with Secondary Access |
|||||
| 10—20 Minutes Response Time on Non-Dead End Road |
10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 10—20 Minutes Response Time on Dead End Road with Secondary Access |
8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
(10) CUMULATIVE CONSTRAINT POINTS
(a) Cumulative constraint points shall be deducted from the total matrix score based upon the following criteria:
(i) If the proposed division receives a zero on two matrices, five points shall be subtracted from the matrix.
(ii) For each additional zero the proposed division receives, five additional points shall be subtracted from the matrix.
(b) Preliminary average allowable density is determined by referring the total numerical score (based upon the 10 matrices above) to the following tables:
- (i) Suburban Residential Table. (To be used for any portion of the property outside the urban services line and rural services line designated as suburban residential, one to five acres/unit.)
| Total Number of Points Obtained | Minimum Average Parcel Size Allowed for Development |
|---|---|
| 60 and under | 5 acres |
| 61—65 | 4-1/2 acres |
| 66—70 | 4 acres |
| 71—75 | 3-1/2 acres |
| 76—80 | 3 acres |
| 81—85 | 2-1/2 acres |
| 86—90 | 2 acres |
Minimum Average Parcel Size Allowed Total Number of Points Obtained for Development 91—100 1 acres
The minimum parcel size in Suburban designations without public water service shall be two and one-half acres.
- (ii) Rural Residential Table. (To be used for any portion of the property designated as rural residential or noncommercial agricultural in the following case: where the Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission has made a written finding that the land is not viable for commercial agricultural and where less than 50 percent of the land area within one-quarter mile of the subject property is designated agricultural resource, mountain residential, or resource conservation and all proposed building sites are within one-half mile of a through County-maintained road (see G.P. Policy 5.14.12).
| Total Number of Points Obtained | Minimum Average Parcel Size Allowed for Development |
|---|---|
| 0—20 | 20 acres |
| 21—40 | 15 acres |
| 41—60 | 10 acres |
| 61—80 | 5 acres |
| 81—100 | 2-1/2 acres |
- (iii) Mountain Residential/Noncommercial Agricultural/Resource Conservation Table. (To be used for any portion of the property designated as mountain residential, noncommercial agricultural, or resource conservation.)
| Total Number of Points Obtained | Minimum Average Parcel Size Allowed for Development |
|---|---|
| 0—20 | 40 acres |
| 21—30 | 35 acres |
| 31—40 | 30 acres |
| 41—55 | 25 acres |
| 56—70 | 20 acres |
| 71—80 | 15 acres |
| 81—100 | 10 acres |
(Ord. 3026, 1980; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3434 § 3, 1983; Ord. 3594 § 2, 1984; Ord. 4346 §§ 42–46, 1996; Ord. 4406 §§ 16–19, 1996; Ord. 4416 §§ 16–19, 1996; Ord. 4836 § 116, 2006) [[1]]
- [1] Code reviser's note: Ord. 4836 had two sections numbered "116."
13.14.070. Overriding minimum acreage maximum density policies. ¶
In order to calculate allowable average parcel size and density under overriding policies, the total acreage must be compared against the following applicable sections of the General Plan and Local
Coastal Program Land Use Plan and County Code. (See General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan Figure 2.2 for special land division and density requirements.)
| General Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Designation, Resource or Constraint |
General Plan and Local Coastal Program Section or Policy Reference |
|---|---|
| Land Use Designation | |
| Agriculture | |
| • Commercial | 5.13.14 and 5.13.19 |
| • Noncommercial | 5.13.18 and 5.14.12 |
| Suburban Residential | 2.6.1 and 2.6.2 |
| Rural Residential | 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 |
| Mountain Residential | 2.4.1 |
| Resource Conservation | 5.11.6 and 2.4.1 |
| Parks, Recreation and Open Space | 7.1.3 |
| Resource | |
| Agricultural Lands | 5.13.14 and 5.13.19 |
| Special Forests | 5.1.5 |
| Grasslands | 5.1.5 |
| Mineral Lands | 5.16.5 |
| Timber Lands | 5.12.4 |
| Watersheds | |
| • Water Supply Watersheds | 5.5.6 |
| • Least Disturbed Watersheds | 5.5.7 |
| • Reservoir Protection Areas | 5.5.14 |
| Groundwater Recharge Lands | 5.8.2 |
| Constraint | |
| Coastal Hazard Areas | 6.2.15, 6.2.17 and 6.2.18 |
| Critical Fire Hazard Areas and Access Standards | 6.5.4 and 6.5.5 |
| Flood Hazard Areas (100-year foodplain) | 6.4.5 and 6.4.6 |
| Seismic Review Zones (fault zones) | 6.1.12 |
(Ord. 3026, 1980; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3434 § 4, 1983; Ord. 4346 § 47, 1994)
13.14.080. Resource and constraint data. ¶
Data used to determine parcel-specific resources and constraints shall be the most accurate available. Staff determinations shall be based upon the existing database (see table below) and an on-site inspection. An applicant may, however, submit or may be required to submit more detailed information which can serve as the basis for an updated staff evaluation (submitted as part of the environmental review for the project) as indicated in the table below:
raints shall be the most accurate available. Staff determinations shall be based upon the existing database (see table below) and an on-site inspection. An applicant may, however, submit or may be required to submit more detailed information which can serve as the basis for an updated staff evaluation (submitted as part of the environmental review for the project) as indicated in the table below:
| Environmental Data | Offcially Adopted Data Source |
Acceptable New Information Source |
|---|---|---|
| Slopes | USGS Slope Maps | A detailed slope map prepared by a civil engineer or land |
| Environmental Data | Offcially Adopted Data Source |
Acceptable New Information Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| surveyor | ||
| Riparian Corridors | USGS maps in conjunction with watershed staff feld review and General Plan policies |
A detailed map of slopes and the extent of riparian vegetation prepared by a qualifed professional |
| 100-Year Floodplain | Most recent Federal food insurance maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps |
An investigation prepared by a qualifed registered engineer or registered geologist which establishes accurate boundaries of the 100-year food |
| Agricultural Lands | Agricultural Resources Map, as adopted and amended by the Board of Supervisors, Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resources and constraints maps |
Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission determination that land is or is not viable with approval of the Board of Supervisors |
| Road Standards | Field check of roads per General Plan requirements |
Applicant may improve roads to standards |
| Water Quality/Quantity Areas | Measure J groundwater quality/quantity maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps |
A report conducted by a hydrogeologist which demonstrates that the region in which the parcel is located is or is not experiencing water quality or availability problems, and that the proposed water use will or will not contribute to an adverse cumulative water quality or quantity impact |
| Overdrafted Aquifers | Maps approved by the affected water district and adopted and amended by the Board of Supervisors |
|
| Primary Groundwater Recharge Areas |
Measure J primary groundwater recharge areas maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps |
A report conducted by a soils engineer and registered geologist or hydrogeologist which establishes that, based upon local soils, bedrock, and regional hydrogeologic conditions, a particular area is or is not part of a primary groundwater recharge area |
| Water Supply Watershed | General Plan resources and constraint maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps |
Information which indicates that a property does or does not lie within a designated water supply watershed |
| Septic System Problem Areas |
Measure J septic system problem areas map |
Certifcation from County Environmental Health that the property does or does not lie in an area of experienced septic problems |
| Environmental Data | Offcially Adopted Data Source |
Acceptable New Information Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Timber Resources | General Plan resource and constraint maps; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps |
Actual feld data which concludes that the property does or does not contain marketable timberlands |
| Wildlife Resources and Sensitive Habitats |
Measure J resources and constraint maps, Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps |
A biotic report prepared by a biologist which indicates the absence or presence of wildlife habitats or unique or rare plant communities or individuals on the property |
| Geologic Rock Type | USGS compilation map of rock types |
A geologic report prepared by a registered geologist which accurately maps fault traces, landslides and bedrock geology, or review and update of map by Planning staff geologist |
| Fault Zones | Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan and General Plan resources and constraint maps and State and USGS maps |
|
| Liquefaction Areas | Seismic safety element liquefaction map; Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan resource and constraint maps |
A report by a registered engineering geologist which indicates that the building site will or will not be subjected to liquefaction |
| Landslides | Seismic safety element map combined with Planning staff geologist feld inspections |
A geologic report prepared by a registered geologist which accurately maps fault traces, landslides and bedrock geology |
| Fire Response Time | Fire response time map prepared by County offcials |
A letter from the Chief of the Fire District responsible to serve as a feld-measured response time |
| Critical Fire Hazard Areas | Field inspection combined with aerial photo survey; General Plan resource and constraint maps are general guidance |
In mitigable areas (see General Plan) with Fire Offcial's approved mitigation measures; in other areas, based upon on-site vegetation (assuming no illegal or unauthorized vegetation clearance has taken place) |
(Ord. 3023, 1980; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982)
13.14.090. Fees. ¶
Fees for staff time required to implement this chapter shall be set forth in a separate fee resolution by the Board of Supervisors.
(Ord. 3026, 1980; Ord. 3072, 1981; Ord. 3330 § 1, 1982)