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Santa Cruz County, CA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Code adopted: 2025 California Electrical Code, Title 24 Pt. 3
Grounding rule: concrete-encased electrode, all new construction
Exempt work: portable/temporary cord-and-plug items only
EV chargers: separate streamlined permit under § 12.10.322
Enforcing agency: Santa Cruz County Building Official

Summary

Unincorporated Santa Cruz County adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code and requires a permit for most electrical work, with a local rule mandating a concrete-encased grounding electrode on every newly constructed commercial and residential building with an electrical system.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

§ 12.10.240. 2025 California Electrical Code adopted. The Electrical Code for the County of Santa Cruz shall be the latest printing of the 2025 Edition of the California Electrical Code... (A) Exempt Work Amendment. Article 89.108.4.1(b) of the 2025 California Electrical Code is hereby deleted. For a list of exempt work, refer to SCCC § 12.10.315(C). (B) New Construction Amendment. The following requirement shall apply to all new construction: All newly constructed commercial and residential buildings that have electrically supplied systems shall provide a concrete encased grounding electrode per California Energy Code, Article 250.52(A)(3) to serve as the grounding means for the electrical system.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).

Full Breakdown

240 makes the latest printing of the 2025 California Electrical Code (Part 3, Title 24) the county's electrical code, including all state-adopted appendices, subject to two local amendments. 315(C), which excuses only portable cord-and-plug appliances, temporary cord-connected decorative lighting, and cord-and-plug wiring for temporary theater or motion-picture stage sets from permit requirements. 52(A)(3), to serve as the electrical system's grounding means. 315 exemption list. 322, layered on top of these base electrical-permit rules, with a 5-business-day completeness review for sites of 25 stations or fewer.

Violations & Fines

Electrical work performed without a required permit, or new construction completed without the mandated concrete-encased grounding electrode, is enforceable by the Building Official under Chapter 12.10; unpermitted or noncompliant work can be red-tagged, requiring correction, retroactive permitting, and inspection before utilities are released or occupancy is granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What electrical code does Santa Cruz County use?

SCCC § 12.10.240 adopts the latest printing of the 2025 California Electrical Code, Part 3 of Title 24, as the county's electrical code for all unincorporated permits, with local amendments to the exempt-work list and a grounding electrode rule for new construction.

Is a grounding electrode required on new homes in Santa Cruz County?

Yes. SCCC § 12.10.240(B) requires all newly constructed commercial and residential buildings with an electrically supplied system to provide a concrete-encased grounding electrode under California Energy Code Article 250.52(A)(3) to serve as the system's grounding means.

What electrical work can I do without a permit?

SCCC § 12.10.315(C) exempts only portable motors or appliances plugged into an approved receptacle, temporary cord-connected decorative lighting, and cord-and-plug wiring for temporary theater or stage sets. Anything beyond that, including new circuits or fixed wiring, needs a permit from the Building Official.

Sources & Official References

[1]Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 12.10 (Building Regulations), eCode360

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