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Title 24

Part 1 — ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF DISTRICTS

Santa Cruz Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Santa Cruz

24.10.010 GENERAL.

The districts hereby established, and into which the city of Santa Cruz is or may be divided, are designated as follows:

R-S Residential Suburban District

  • R-1 Single-Family Residence District R-L Multiple Residence – Low-Density District

  • R-M Multiple Residence – MediumDensity District

  • R-H Multiple Residence – High-Density District

  • R-T Tourist Residential District

  • R-T(A) Subdistrict A – Medium-Density District

R-H
R-T
R-T(A)		 Multiple Residence – High-Density
District
Tourist Residential District
Subdistrict A – Medium-Density
District
R-T(B) Subdistrict B – Motel Residential
R-T(B)/ Motel Residential Performance
PER District
R-T(C) Subdistrict C – Beach Commercial
R-T(C)/
PER		 Subdistrict C – Beach Commercial/
Performance Overlay District
R-T(D) Subdistrict D – Beach Residential
R-T(E) Subdistrict E – Beach Medium/High
Residential
C-C Community Commercial District
C-T Thoroughfare Commercial District
C-N Neighborhood Commercial District
C-B Beach Commercial District
P-A Professional and Administrative
Office District
SC-H Small Craft Harbor District
C-D/R Coastal Dependent/Related District
I-G General Industrial District
I-G/PER General Industrial District/
Performance Overlay Zone
I-G/PER General Industrial District/
2 Performance District
PK Parks District
PF Public Facilities District
E-A Exclusive Agricultural District

  • OF-R Ocean Front (Recreational) District F-P Floodplain District H-O Historic Overlay District CBD Central Business District

  • CBD(E) CBD Subdistrict E – Lower Pacific Avenue

  • SP-O Shoreline Protection Overlay District CZ-O Coastal Zone Overlay District MX-O Mixed Use Overlay District FP-O Floodplain Overlay District CON Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District

  • WCD West Cliff Drive Overlay District MS-O Mission Street Urban Design Plan Overlay District

  • CS-O Coral Street Overlay District

(Ord. 2026-06 § 1, 2026; Ord. 2016-12 § 1, 2016: Ord. 2002-17 § 1 (part), 2002: Ord. 2000-27 §4, 2000: Ord. 94-33 § 26, 1994: Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

24.10.020 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT.

In any zone, any use or combination of uses may be permitted, subject to approval of a

24-74

(Supp. No. xx – 5/14/2026)

24.10.110

planned development permit, pursuant to the provisions of Part 8, Chapter 24.08. (Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

24.10.030 SUBDISTRICT DESIGNATION.

Each of the districts designated herein shall be subject to further designation into subdistricts, such as R-1-10, R-1-7, R-1-5, etc.; when so designated, the regulations governing the uses within such subdistricts shall be made a part of this title; and such designations shall be indicated as districts on the zoning map. (Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

24.10.040 OVERLAY DISTRICTS.

Overlay districts may be combined with any zoning district provided for in this title. The overlay district designation shall be shown on the zoning map in addition to the underlying zone designation. All developments within such districts so designated shall be subject to the provisions of both the underlying and the overlay district. Where provisions are in conflict, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.

the district in which said building, land, or premises is located. However, departure from strict application of district regulations may be allowed through an approved variance or planned development permit. (Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

24.10.105 SUBSTANDARD LOTS OF RECORD.

In any district for which a minimum lot area is established, a substandard lot of record, having less than the required area and/or width, may be used for a use permitted in the district in which it is located according to procedures set forth in Sections 24.10.351 and 24.12.110, subsection (4.) of this title. (Ord. 90-15 § 6, 1990).

24.10.110 HEIGHT LIMIT.

No structure, or part thereof, shall be erected, reconstructed, or structurally altered to exceed

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

24.10.050 ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY.

Prior to all proposed annexations, proposed annexed lands shall be subject to prezoning provisions as set forth in Chapter 24.06 of this title.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

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▸ Contents — Santa Cruz Zoning Code
Santa Cruz Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 24
    Overview
    1. Chapter 24.04
    2. Chapter 24.06
    3. Part 1 — GENERAL PROCEDURES
    4. Part 2 — HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION
    5. Part 3 — ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY
    6. Part 4 — SPECIFIC PLAN PREPARATION
    7. Part 1 — GENERAL PROCEDURES
    8. Part 2 — HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION
    9. Part 1 — USE PERMITS
    10. Part 2 — VARIANCES
    11. Part 3 — COASTAL PERMIT
    12. Part 4 — RESERVED
    13. Part 5 — DESIGN PERMIT
    14. Part 6 — SIGN PERMIT
    15. Part 7 — CONDITIONAL FENCE PERMIT
    16. Part 8 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
    17. Part 9 — SLOPE REGULATIONS MODIFICATIONS (APPLIES OUTSIDE THE …
    18. Part 9A — SLOPE REGULATIONS MODIFICATIONS (APPLIES IN THE COAS…
    19. Part 10 — HISTORIC ALTERATION PERMIT
    20. Part 11 — HISTORIC DEMOLITION PERMIT
    21. Part 14 — RESIDENTIAL, DEMOLITION/ CONVERSION AUTHORIZATION PE…
    22. Part 20 — RECONSTRUCTION PERMIT
    23. Part 21 — WATERCOURSE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
    24. Part 15 — RELOCATION PERMIT
    25. Part 16 — MOBILEHOMES – CERTIFICATE OF COMPATIBILITY
    26. Part 22 — WATERCOURSE VARIANCE
    27. Part 17 — MOBILEHOME PARK CONVERSIONS
    28. Part 23 — Repealed by Ord. 2022-18 § 11
    29. Part 18 — MOBILEHOMES, SMALL COACHES, AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
    30. Part 19 — Repealed by Ord. 91-13 § 2
    31. Part 25 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    32. Part 1 — USE PERMITS
    33. Part 2 — VARIANCES
    34. Part 3 — COASTAL PERMIT
    35. Part 4 — RESERVED
    36. Part 5 — DESIGN PERMIT
    37. Part 6 — SIGN PERMIT
    38. Part 7 — CONDITIONAL FENCE PERMIT
    39. Part 8 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
    40. Part 9 — SLOPE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (APPLIES OUTSIDE THE COASTAL…
    41. Part 9A — SLOPE REGULATIONS MODIFICATIONS (APPLIES IN THE COAS…
    42. Part 10 — HISTORIC ALTERATION PERMIT
    43. Part 12 — Repealed by Ord. 86-13 § 5
    44. Part 13 — NONRESIDENTIAL DEMOLITION AUTHORIZATION PERMITS
    45. Part 14 — RESIDENTIAL DEMOLITION/ CONVERSION AUTHORIZATION PER…
    46. Part 15 — RELOCATION PERMIT
    47. Part 16 — MOBILEHOMES: CERTIFICATE OF COMPATIBILITY
    48. Part 19 — Repealed by Ord. 91-13 § 2
    49. Part 20 — RECONSTRUCTION PERMIT
    50. Part 21 — WATERCOURSE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
    51. Part 22 — WATERCOURSE VARIANCE
    52. Part 23 — CONDITIONAL DRIVEWAY PERMIT
    53. Part 25 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    54. Part 1 — ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF DISTRICTS 24.10.010 …
    55. Part 2 — APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS TO DISTRICTS GENERALLY
    56. Part 3 — R-S RESIDENTIAL SUBURBAN DISTRICT
    57. Part 4 — R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT
    58. Part 5 — R-L MULTIPLE RESIDENCE – LOW-DENSITY DISTRICT
    59. Part 6 — R-M MULTIPLE RESIDENCE – MEDIUM-DENSITY DISTRICT
    60. Part 6A — R-H MULTIPLE RESIDENCE – HIGH-DENSITY DISTRICT
    61. Part 7 — R-T TOURIST RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    62. Part 7A — R-T(A) SUBDISTRICT A – MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
    63. Part 7B — R-T(B) SUBDISTRICT B – MOTEL RESIDENTIAL
    64. Part 7B.1 — R-T(B)/PER – MOTEL RESIDENTIAL PERFORMANCE OVERLAY
    65. Part 7D — R-T(D) SUBDISTRICT D – BEACH RESIDENTIAL
    66. Part 7E — R-T(E) SUBDISTRICT E – BEACH MEDIUM/HIGH DENSITY RES…
    67. Part 7C — R-T(C) SUBDISTRICT C – BEACH COMMERCIAL
    68. Part 7C.1 — R-T(C)/PER: SUBDISTRICT C – BEACH COMMERCIAL/ PERF…
    69. Part 9 — MU-M MIXED-USE MEDIUMDENSITY DISTRICT
    70. Part 9A — MU-H MIXED-USE HIGHDENSITY DISTRICT
    71. Part 9B — MU-OM MIXED-USE OCEAN STREET MEDIUM-DENSITY DISTRICT
    72. Part 9C — MU-OH MIXED-USE OCEAN STREET HIGH-DENSITY DISTRICT
    73. Part 9D — MU-VH MIXED-USE VISITORSERVING HIGH-DENSITY DISTRICT
    74. Part 9E — MU-VA MIXED-USE VISITORSERVING ADDITIONAL HEIGHT DIS…
    75. Part 10 — C-T THOROUGHFARE COMMERCIAL
    76. Part 11 — C-N NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    77. Part 12 — C-B BEACH COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    78. Part 13 — P-A PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE DISTRICT
    79. Part 14 — SC-H SMALL CRAFT HARBOR DISTRICT
    80. Part 14A — C-D/R – COASTAL DEPENDENT/RELATED DISTRICT
    81. Part 15 — RESERVED
    82. Part 16 — I-G GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
    83. Part 16A — I-G/PER: GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT/ PERFORMANCE O…
    84. Part 16B — IG/PER-2: GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT/ PERFORMANCE …
    85. Part 17 — Repealed by Ord. 94-33
    86. Part 18 — Repealed by Ord. 94-33
    87. Part 18A — P-K PARKS DISTRICT
    88. Part 18B — P-F PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT
    89. Part 19 — E-A EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    90. Part 20 — OF-R OCEAN FRONT (RECREATIONAL) DISTRICT
    91. Part 21 — F-P FLOODPLAIN DISTRICT
    92. Part 22 — H-O HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT
    93. Part 23 — Repealed by Ord. 2016-11 § 32
    94. Part 24 — CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD)
    95. Part 31 — CON – NEIGHBORHOOD
    96. Part 24 — (A): Repealed by Ord. 2025-11 § 3
    97. Part 25 — SP-O SHORELINE PROTECTION OVERLAY DISTRICT
    98. Part 26 — CZ-O COASTAL ZONE OVERLAY DISTRICT
    99. Part 27 — MIXED USE OVERLAY DISTRICT
    100. Part 42 — WEST CLIFF DRIVE OVERLAY DISTRICT
    101. Part 28 — FP-O FLOODPLAIN OVERLAY DISTRICT
    102. Part 29 — Repealed by Ord. 2020-23 § 5
    103. Part 30 — RESERVED
    104. Part 43 — MISSION STREET URBAN DESIGN OVERLAY DISTRICT
    105. Part 44 — CORAL STREET OVERLAY DISTRICT
    106. Part 1 — ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF DISTRICTS
    107. Part 2 — APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS TO DISTRICTS GENERALLY
    108. Part 3 — R-S RESIDENTIAL SUBURBAN DISTRICT
    109. Part 4 — R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT
    110. Part 5 — R-L MULTIPLE RESIDENCE – LOW-DENSITY DISTRICT
    111. Part 6 — R-M MULTIPLE RESIDENCE – MEDIUM-DENSITY DISTRICT
    112. Part 6A — R-H MULTIPLE RESIDENCE – HIGH-DENSITY DISTRICT
    113. Part 7 — R-T TOURIST RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    114. Part 7A — R-T(A) SUBDISTRICT A – MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
    115. Part 7B — R-T(B) SUBDISTRICT B – MOTEL RESIDENTIAL
    116. Part 7B.1 — R-T(B)/PER – MOTEL RESIDENTIAL PERFORMANCE OVERLAY
    117. Part 7C — R-T(C) SUBDISTRICT C – BEACH COMMERCIAL
    118. Part 7C.1 — R-T(C)/PER: SUBDISTRICT C – BEACH COMMERCIAL/ PERF…
    119. Part 7D — R-T(D) SUBDISTRICT D – BEACH RESIDENTIAL
    120. Part 7E — R-T(E) SUBDISTRICT E – BEACH MEDIUM/HIGH DENSITY RES…
    121. Part 7E — R-T(E) SUBDISTRICT E – BEACH MEDIUM/HIGH DENSITY RES…
    122. Part 8 — C-C COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    123. Part 9 — MU-M MIXED-USE MEDIUMDENSITY DISTRICT
    124. Part 9A — MU-H MIXED-USE HIGHDENSITY DISTRICT
    125. Part 9B — MU-OM MIXED-USE OCEAN STREET MEDIUM-DENSITY DISTRICT
    126. Part 9C — MU-OH MIXED-USE OCEAN STREET HIGH-DENSITY DISTRICT
    127. Part 9D — MU-VH MIXED-USE VISITORSERVING HIGH-DENSITY DISTRICT
    128. Part 9E — MU-VA MIXED-USE VISITORSERVING ADDITIONAL HEIGHT DIS…
    129. Part 10 — C-T THOROUGHFARE COMMERCIAL
    130. Part 11 — C-N NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    131. Part 12 — C-B BEACH COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    132. Part 13 — P-A PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE DISTRICT
    133. Part 14 — SC-H SMALL CRAFT HARBOR DISTRICT
    134. Part 14A — C-D/R – COASTAL DEPENDENT/RELATED DISTRICT
    135. Part 15 — RESERVED
    136. Part 16 — I-G GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
    137. Part 16A — I-G/PER: GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT/ PERFORMANCE O…
    138. Part 16B — IG/PER-2: GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT/ PERFORMANCE …
    139. Part 17 — Repealed by Ord. 94-33 § 42
    140. Part 18 — Repealed by Ord. 94-33 § 43
    141. Part 18A — P-K PARKS DISTRICT
    142. Part 18B — P-F – PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT
    143. Part 19 — E-A EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    144. Part 20 — OF-R OCEAN FRONT (RECREATIONAL) DISTRICT
    145. Part 21 — F-P FLOODPLAIN DISTRICT
    146. Part 22 — H-O HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT
    147. Part 23 — Repealed by Ord. 2016-11 § 32
    148. Part 24 — CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD)
    149. Part 24 — (A): Repealed by Ord. 2025-11 § 3
    150. Part 25 — SP-O SHORELINE PROTECTION OVERLAY DISTRICT
    151. Part 26 — CZ-O COASTAL ZONE OVERLAY DISTRICT
    152. Part 29 — Repealed by Ord. 2020-23 § 5
    153. Part 30 — Repealed by Ord. 96-18 § 2
    154. Part 31 — CON – NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT
    155. Part 42 — WEST CLIFF DRIVE OVERLAY DISTRICT
    156. Part 44 — CORAL STREET OVERLAY DISTRICT
    157. Part 1 — GENERAL
    158. Part 2 — GENERAL SITE DESIGN STANDARDS
    159. Part 3 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING FACILITIES
    160. Part 4 — ADVERTISING DEVICES, SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS
    161. Part 5 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    162. Part 9 — BED-AND-BREAKFAST INNS
    163. Part 10 — SERVICE STATION REGULATIONS
    164. Part 6 — MOBILEHOMES
    165. Part 7 — ANIMALS
    166. Part 8 — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
    167. Part 11 — SINGLE-ROOM OCCUPANCY HOUSING
    168. Part 12 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
    169. Part 13 — VEHICLE REPAIR IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
    170. Part 16 — FLEXIBLE DENSITY UNIT HOUSING
    171. Part 14 — COMMERCIAL MEDICAL AND ADULT USE CANNABIS REGULATIONS
    172. Part 17 — TEMPORARY HOUSING
    173. Part 15 — WIRELESS
    174. Part 18 — RESIDENTIAL SHORTTERM RENTALS
    175. Part 1 — GENERAL
    176. Part 2 — GENERAL SITE DESIGN STANDARDS
    177. Part 3 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING FACILITIES
    178. Part 4 — ADVERTISING DEVICES, SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS
    179. Part 5 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    180. Part 6 — MOBILEHOMES
    181. Part 8 — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
    182. Part 9 — BED-AND-BREAKFAST INNS
    183. Part 11 — SINGLE-ROOM OCCUPANCY HOUSING
    184. Part 12 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES
    185. Part 13 — VEHICLE REPAIR IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
    186. Part 14 — COMMERCIAL MEDICAL AND ADULT USE CANNABIS REGULATIONS
    187. Part 15 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
    188. Part 16 — FLEXIBLE DENSITY UNIT HOUSING
    189. Part 17 — TEMPORARY HOUSING
    190. Part 18 — RESIDENTIAL SHORTTERM RENTALS
    191. Part 3 — ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REGULATIONS
    192. Part 4 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
    193. Part 1 — CONSERVATION REGULATIONS
    194. Part 2 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    195. Part 1 — CONSERVATION REGULATIONS
    196. Part 4 — FEE DEFERRALS FOR AFFORDABLE UNITS
    197. Part 1 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
    198. Part 2 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    199. Part 3 — DENSITY BONUS PROVISIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL UNITS
    200. Part 4 — FEE DEFERRALS FOR AFFORDABLE UNITS

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