Board of Supervisors

Excessive delays in the building permit process increase costs to applicants in cash, time, and frustration. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE X DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The primary contributors to delays in the building permit process are incomplete or insufficient application materials, the timeliness of applicant responses to correction comments, and overall departmental workload. Despite implementing more rigorous completeness checks and developing detailed guidance materials over the past five years, most applications still contain deficiencies, making incomplete submittals the single largest cause of delays and added costs. The department remains committed to supporting applicants through resources and coordination with the County Executive Office, but timely and thorough applications are essential to reducing processing times. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

The permitting process has become so detailed and intricate that it often requires applicant homeowners to hire professionals to make submissions, thus increasing cost and time. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The permitting process involves numerous regulatory components, including the California Building Code (CBC), the County’s Local Coastal Program, and various state and federal environmental protection laws. These requirements are not unique to Santa Cruz County but are consistent statewide, and are implemented locally through CBC Sections 1803.5.11 and 1803.5.12 and Santa Cruz County Code (SCCC) Sections 16.10.050 and 16.01.010. Depending on project scope, plans must be prepared and stamped by licensed professionals in accordance with CBC Sections 107.1 and 107.3.4 and SCCC Section 12.10.325, with additional technical reports (e.g., soils, geology, biotic assessments) required from licensed specialists as appropriate. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

Homeowners are often unaware that ordinary household maintenance requires a permit, leading them to unknowingly have the work performed illegally. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE X DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Permits are not required for many routine household maintenance activities. Examples include minor plumbing work such as repairing leaks or clearing stoppages; minor electrical work such as replacing lamps or connecting portable equipment; mechanical system work such as replacing filters or parts that do not affect system approval; and finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and countertops. These exemptions ensure that ordinary household upkeep does not trigger permitting requirements. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

Some people willfully ignore obtaining a building permit because they think it's too costly, it takes too long, or they think they can’t get the improvement they want by obeying the law. X AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

Ignoring obtaining building permits causes a loss of revenue for the County, both in one-time fees from permits and, more importantly, in ongoing tax revenue from improved property. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Building permit fees are one-time charges designed to recover the cost of staff review and processing; they are not a general revenue source for the County and often do not fully cover program costs. Property tax assessments are handled independently by the Assessor’s Office, which bases valuations on existing structures regardless of permitting status, meaning tax revenues are not directly affected by building permit activity. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

Professionals in the county can be difficult to find for a project because the permitting process is so difficult. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE X DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Building Division disagrees that the difficulty of the permitting process is the reason professionals are hard to find. The permit review process is designed to be clear and predictable through comprehensive submittal requirements and tools like the Camino Guide, which specifies necessary technical reports. These requirements stem from the California Building Code, state and federal environmental laws, and the Santa Cruz County Code, which in some cases require licensed professionals to prepare and stamp project plans. While many projects do necessitate specialized expertise, the primary challenge is the high regional demand for qualified design professionals rather than the structure of the permitting process itself. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

Applicants have a hard time tracking their project’s progress because applications are not tracked end-to-end by permitting software. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): While the current permit tracking system (Infor) already allows applicants to monitor individual permits, the department recognizes the need for greater transparency around processing timelines. In response to the Baker Tilly audit, a Building Permit Tracking Dashboard was launched in June on the Planning Department website, providing public data on average review times, number of review cycles, and fees by project type. In addition, the ePlan Review portal enables applicants to upload files, view and respond to comments, and track real-time status updates pulled directly from Infor, including expiration dates and agency review charts. Together, these tools significantly improve visibility into project progress and reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to accountability and clear communication. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

The services of an Ombudsman could be utilized by tradespeople and homeowners to make the permitting process smoother and less costly. __ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE __ DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The County already employs an Ombudsman who helps applicants navigate the permitting process by addressing customer concerns, overseeing permit center operations, ensuring service standards are followed, and coordinating across review departments to resolve conflicts that could delay permits. This role is specifically designed to reduce time and costs for tradespeople and homeowners. While adding a second Ombudsman could increase capacity, it would also raise department costs and necessitate higher fees to offset those expenses. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

The BFCA Board was disbanded, and the Appeals process, as currently constructed, is little known, not staffed by trade professionals, and therefore an ineffective means for resolving disputed decisions. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE X DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The policies, regulations, and hearing procedures of the Building and Fire Code Appeals Board are set forth in Santa Cruz County Code Section 12.12. While the Board was previously composed of industry representatives, it is now comprised of the Board of Supervisors, and this change has not raised any due process concerns. In fact, no appeals have been filed in more than 12 years. Should one occur, established procedures ensure impartial review and decision-making. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025

The DIYer and the small contractors need the support and/or instant answers they get from a knowledgeable staff person at the counter. However that service no longer exists. __ AGREE __ PARTIALLY DISAGREE X DISAGREE Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): The Building Department continues to provide direct support to DIYers and small contractors through walk-in counter hours Monday–Thursday from 8:00–9:00 a.m., as well as scheduled appointments Monday–Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and Monday–Tuesday afternoons. Appointments may be held in person, by phone, or via Microsoft Teams to ensure flexible access to staff expertise, and currently there is ample appointment availability each day. Required Response from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Permitting Due by September 22, 2025