Environmental Rules in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Santa Cruz County bans any nonstormwater discharge from leaving private property or entering the storm drain system, receiving waters, or groundwater. New development and redevelopment must control runoff volume, rate and pollutant load under County BMP design criteria, and violations are enforced as public nuisances.
Santa Cruz County Stormwater Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsSCCC § 7.79.040 (Ord. 5117, 2012)
(A) Discharges Prohibited. No person shall commence, continue, or permit any nonstormwater discharge to leave private property, enter the storm drain system, enter receiving waters of the County, or percolate into groundwater. ... (7) Individual residential car washing where the discharge is minimized by use of a bucket, hose with automatic shut-off valve or pressure washer; (8) Swimming pool d...
Erosion Control
Coastal-zone development in unincorporated Santa Cruz County needs an approved erosion control plan under SCCC Chapter 16.22 before any grading, land clearing, building or development permit is issued. The plan must control runoff for a 10-year storm, and erosion controls must stay in place every winter from October 15 to April 15.
Santa Cruz County Erosion Control Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Cruz County Code § 16.22.060(A) (Erosion control plan)
Prior to issuance of a building permit, development permit or land division, an erosion control plan indicating proposed methods for the control of runoff, erosion, and sediment movement shall be submitted and approved. ... No grading or clearing may take place on the site prior to approval of an erosion control plan for that activity. Final certification of project completion may be delayed pe...
Coastal Development
Most development in Santa Cruz County's Coastal Zone (extending roughly five miles inland from the Pacific along the North Coast and along Highway 1) requires a Coastal Development Permit under SCCC Chapter 13.20 (Coastal Zone Regulations) and Chapter 18.60 (Local Coastal Program Administration). The County's certified Local Coastal Program implements the California Coastal Act of 1976.
Coastal Zone: SCCC Ch. 13.20 & 18.60
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Res. Code § 30103; Cal. Coastal Act of 1976 - Coastal Zone Boundary
Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 30103(a) specifically defines California's Coastal Zone as that land and water area of the State of California from the Oregon border to the border of the Republic of Mexico depicted on maps identified and set forth in Section 17 of that chapter of the Statutes of the 1975-76 Regular Session enacting PRC Division 20 (the Coastal Act of 1976). PRC Section 3010...
Flood Zones
Santa Cruz County requires a floodplain development permit for any development activity in a mapped flood hazard area, with no exception for small projects. Under §§ 16.13.290 and 16.13.300, even sheds, fences, retaining walls and water tanks of any size that never need a building permit still need a floodplain permit from the Planning Department before work starts.
Santa Cruz County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsSanta Cruz County Code §§ 16.13.290, 16.13.300 (Floodplain Management Regulations)
16.13.290. Floodplain development permit. Floodplain permits shall be issued for all development activities including those which are not subject to the requirements of the building codes and those which do not constitute a substantial improvement. 16.13.300. Buildings and structures exempt from a building permit are subject to the requirements of this chapter. Floodplain permits are required f...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, new and substantially improved buildings in mapped flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor elevated at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation, and an elevation certificate must go to the Building Department before final inspection.
Santa Cruz County Flood Elevation Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Cruz County Code § 12.10.220(C)(5), amending 2025 CRC § R306.2.1
R306.2.1 Elevation requirements. 1. Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas shall have the lowest floor elevated at least 2 feet (610 mm) above the base flood elevation. 2. In areas of shallow flooding (AO Zones), buildings and structures shall have the lowest floor elevated at least 2 feet (610 mm) above the highest adjacent grade plus the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or ...
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