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California · official local service finder

Zoning & building permits in California

Look up a property’s zoning and find the right permit office.

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Before you start · 2 things to check
  • Start with the jurisdiction of the property. County permit offices may serve only unincorporated areas.
  • Use the official map and confirm project requirements with the planning or building office.

2 guides with reviewed service links · Santa Cruz

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U.S. Census boundaries via U.S. Atlas · 2017 edition, simplified for display.

County government · Santa Cruz

Assessor-Recorder

Assessor

GIS (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Officially linked county property-map resource. This verifies the referral and stated label; interactive layers, parcel results, legal boundaries, buildability and application eligibility are not determined here.

Source checked October 26, 2026

Santa Cruz County official service / referred provider · Santa Cruz — property query (opens in a new tab)

Official property-office map referral: GIS

GIS

Saved evidence: 6e0cb2c6dc05a391 · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →
County government · Santa Cruz

Community Development & Infrastructure — Unified Permit Center

Santa Cruz County building permit services. Confirm which county or city agency handles your property before applying.

County building permit information (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Official county building permit guidance. Service boundaries and project requirements must be confirmed with the department.

Source checked October 14, 2026

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz County — Building Permits & Safety (opens in a new tab)

Official page text containing: Building Permits & Safety

arcel Maps Recorded Surveys Tax Assessment Maps Launch GIS Unified Permit Center Get Involved Records & Parcel Research Building Permits & Safety Discretionary Permits & Zoning Environmental Permits & Technical Reviews Public Works Permits & Reviews Public Meetings & Hearings Major Projects Pending Public Notice Projects CEQA Initial Studies and EIRs Find Discretionary Projects Near You Appeal a Decision CDI Calendar Check Permit Status and History Report a Code or Vacation Rental Violation Schedule

Saved evidence: 7ef4c5a79e37a951 · Agent source review

Apply for a Building Permit (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Official permitting resource linked by the department. Check the available permit types and application instructions before starting.

Source checked October 14, 2026

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz — building permit department (opens in a new tab)

Official page text containing: Apply for a Building Permit

pping Commissions & Zoning Administrator Planning Records Requests Authorization for Duplication form Plan Your Project Apply for a Building Permit Manage Your Project Fees & Payments Building Permits & Safety Index Disaster Recovery Forms & Publications ePlan Review EZ Permit Schedule an Appointment Schedule a Building Inspection Check Permit Status Accessory Dwelling Units Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Requirements Senate Bill 9 & Other State Laws Water Efficient Landscaping Info Pre-Application Ser

Saved evidence: ec06bacee0048349 · Agent source review

Launch GIS (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

Official property research or mapping resource linked from the permit information. Use the department to confirm jurisdiction and project requirements.

Source checked October 14, 2026

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz — building permit department (opens in a new tab)

Official page text containing: Launch GIS

With My Historic Building? Geographic Information Services Assessor's Parcel Maps Recorded Surveys Tax Assessment Maps Launch GIS Unified Permit Center Get Involved Records & Parcel Research Building Permits & Safety Discretionary Permits & Zoning Environmental Permits & Technical Reviews Public Works Permits & Reviews Public Meetings & Hearings Major Projects Pending Public Notice Projects CEQA Initial Studies and EIRs Find Discretionary Projects Near You Appeal a Decision CDI Calend

Saved evidence: ec06bacee0048349 · Agent source review

Santa Cruz discretionary-planning application information requirements (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

The Unified Permit Center’s discretionary-permitting section links ePlan/application forms and required-information resources. This is an application-material checklist referral, not a case-status search or a guarantee that every packet is complete.

Source checked October 26, 2026

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz County — Building Permits & Safety (opens in a new tab)

Santa Cruz discretionary-planning application information requirements

ePlan Review & Application Forms Lists of Required Information

Saved evidence: 7ef4c5a79e37a951 · Agent source review

Santa Cruz County Planning GIS zoning instructions (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

The county's GIS instructions explain APN/address lookup and the Land Use tab and Zoning text/graphic layers. This publishes the actual Planning and Building provider's guide without looking up any private parcel.

Official zoning display instructions

To see the zoning map, click the box next to "Zoning (text)" and "Zoning Graphic." This will turn on those layers.

Official information checked October 26, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 26, 2026

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz County — GIS Mapping (opens in a new tab)

Official county map/provider evidence: exact named map, actual layer list, access instructions or limitation

Zoning Graphic

Saved evidence: 15c879c2652e969f · Agent source review

Santa Cruz Planning parcel GIS and map-report instructions (opens in a new tab)Official instructions

The official Planning GIS how-to page describes APN/address parcel research and parcel/zoning reports. It also separately describes zoning layers; GIS reports do not establish legal lot boundaries.

Official GIS search instruction; no private parcel queried

Use your Assessor's Parcel Number (APN). Enter your APN in the search field (#1) and click the magnifer button.

Official information checked October 26, 2026 · Details & sources

Source checked October 26, 2026

Santa Cruz County · Santa Cruz County — GIS Mapping (opens in a new tab)

Official county map/provider evidence: exact named map, actual layer list, access instructions or limitation

Use your Assessor's Parcel Number (APN). Enter your APN in the search field (#1) and click the magnifer button.

Saved evidence: 15c879c2652e969f · Agent source review

Full guide, contact details & sources →

Selected agencies, with sources checked individually. See all coverage and sources.