Bird-safe building design standards apply in all districts where new construction or exterior changes to the façade of buildings or structures requiring a Planning Permit and are located adjacent to or within 300 feet of a General Plan land use designation of CR, PR, NA, or AG; an open waterway mapped in the City-wide Creeks and Wetlands Management Plan; or any area within 300 feet of undeveloped property likely to provide significant bird habitat, as determined by the Zoning Administrator. The City’s online mapping system can be used to determine if your property is subject to Bird Safe Standards.

1. Visit https://vwgisportal.cityofsantacruz.com/public/
2. Click on the stack of papers in the upper right corner. Choose the Planning Layer, then Bird Safe Development Standards.
3. Click on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner. Select “By Value” tab. In the Search Layer box, choose Address. Enter your address and press search. The map will zoom to your property.
4. If the property is shaded purple, it is within an area that is subject to bird-safe standards.

For more information, view informational flyer for Bird Safe Building Standards.

Below are the City Planning Department’s standard lists of conditions of approval that may be applied to a Current Planning permit. The project planner will determine which of the conditions are applicable to a project during the project review phase. If a single project requires multiple permits (e.g. Design Permit, Lot Line Adjustment, and Over height Fence Permit), then the conditions from multiple lists will be consolidated into the project’s conditions of approval. The planner may also add or create custom conditions that are not listed in the below documents in order to address project specific impacts, site conditions, or other factors. If the project includes a Mitigated Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report (EIR), those mitigation measures will also be incorporated into the project’s conditions of approval. It is important for the applicant to review the draft permit and conditions of approval thoroughly and discuss any concerns with the project planner prior to approval or hearing, if applicable. Once approved, conditions may only be modified through an appeal or a subsequent Modification Permit.

*Note that these lists will be modified from time to time.

• Cannabis Use Permit Conditions (Updated 7-24-24)
• Cellular Wireless Facility Permit Conditions (Updated 7-24-24)
• Conditional Fence Permit Conditions (Updated 7-24-24)
• Design Permit Conditions (Updated 5-25)
• Extension Area Conditions (Updated 7-24-24)
• Lot Line Adjustment Conditions (Updated 7--24-24)
• Minor Land Division Conditions (Updated 7-24-24)
• Sign Permit Conditions (Updated 10-2-24)
• Subdivision Conditions (Updated 7-24-24)
• Use Permit Conditions (Updated 7-24-24)

The demolition of housing can trigger replacement housing requirements and other tenant protection measures such as relocation assistance, right of first refusal, and affordability restrictions. These requirements were mandated by the State of California as part of the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB330) and were clarified in Senate Bill 8 to apply to the demolition of even one single-family dwelling or Accessory Dwelling Unit.

 Additionally, there are local requirements for replacement housing, relocation assistance, and affordability restrictions that are triggered by the demolition of housing that is not associated with a Housing Development Project.

 The informational sheet is intended to provide a Summary of the potential requirements that could be associated with the demolition of housing.

• Demolition of Housing Informational Sheet
• City’s Affordable Housing Determination Packet

All residential development in the City of Santa Cruz is subject to density requirements. The term “density” refers to the minimum and maximum number of units that can be constructed on a property. This informational sheet is intended to provide information about zone districts and applicable density requirements. If you are considering a housing project, including the construction of one single family dwelling, please review the attached information to ensure that you are aware of the density requirements for your project.

• Density and Zoning Fact Sheet

• NS-30,387

• The City's Guide to SB 9 - Duplexes and Land Divisions
• Property Owners Guide for SB9 Qualifying Criteria
• Example: Declaration SB9 Lot Split
• Example: Declaration SB9 Housing Development

• State Law Protections for Housing Development Projects

Ministerial approval of a tentative map for a housing development project that results in 10 or fewer parcels and 10 or fewer dwelling units on the newly created parcels on land zoned for multi-family housing.

• SB684 Informational Handout

• AB2097 & AB2553 Change in On-Site Parking Requirements