Santa Cruz Municipal Code §18.44.020 adopts the 1970 Uniform Building Code §2314 by reference for seismic standards. Modern construction follows the California Building Code (adopted under §18.04).
California has experienced multiple destructive earthquakes near Santa Cruz (1989 Loma Prieta epicenter at ~10 mi from Santa Cruz, magnitude 6.9). Sill-plate bolting, cripple-wall bracing, and foundation anchoring are recommended for pre-1980 wood-frame homes through state-funded Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program. Soft-story retrofit is encouraged citywide. Public-info on EBB available through California Earthquake Authority.
Voluntary retrofit programs available. Building-code violations for new construction face standard enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Cruz, CA
California Civil Code §4000 et seq. (Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act) governs HOA operations statewide. Civil Code §714 (solar), §1947.12 (AB ...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Ch. 6.100 prohibits natural gas infrastructure in newly constructed buildings as a climate measure tied to local sea-level-rise and...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Ch. 6.110 (Prohibition of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers) bans gas-powered leaf blowers citywide as a climate-action measure. Adopted by ...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Ch. 5.22 (Mobile Vendors) regulates food trucks and other mobile vending businesses. Mobile vending permits are required under §5.8...
Santa Cruz, CA
Drone operation in Santa Cruz must comply with FAA Part 107 (commercial) or Recreational Pilot rules. Local parks and beaches operate under §13 (Parks and Re...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz IZO §24.12.100 sets minimum building-site standards; lot coverage limits are established in each zone district under §24.10. Lots within Floodplai...
See how Santa Cruz's foundation anchoring rules stack up against other locations.
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