This chapter shall be known as the Building Code of the County of Santa Cruz and may be cited by such title.
(Ord. 4894 § 2, 2007; Ord. 5081 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5168 § 1, 2013; Ord. 5235 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5318 § 1, 2019; Ord. 5414 § 1, 2022; Ord. 5502, 12/9/2025)
The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property, and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, site preparation and construction, alteration, repair, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location, moving and maintenance of all buildings, structures and/or property service equipment within this County and certain equipment specifically regulated herein, including installation, additions, alteration, and repairs of mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. This chapter also contains local administrative, organizational and enforcement rules for such activities in the County of Santa Cruz. (See other chapters in this title for additional administrative provisions relating to building construction and related activities in Santa Cruz County.)
(Ord. 4894 § 2, 2007; Ord. 5081 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5168 § 1, 2013; Ord. 5235 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5318 § 1, 2019; Ord. 5414 § 1, 2022; Ord. 5502, 12/9/2025)
Any building or structure located on any land embraced in any unincorporated area of the County shall be automatically subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 4894 § 2, 2007; Ord. 5081 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5168 § 1, 2013; Ord. 5235 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5318 § 1, 2019; Ord. 5414 § 1, 2022; Ord. 5502, 12/9/2025)
All amendments to this chapter shall be initiated by the State of California periodic update of the California Building Standards Code or the Board of Supervisors. If a public hearing regarding a proposed amendment is considered by the Board of Supervisors to be in the best interests of the people, the Board may fix a time and place for hearing and direct that the substance of the proposed amendment be published in a newspaper of general circulation, printed and published in the County, said publication to be at least 10 days prior to the date fixed for the hearing.
(Ord. 4894 § 2, 2007; Ord. 5081 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5168 § 1, 2013; Ord. 5235 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5318 § 1, 2019; Ord. 5414 § 1, 2022; Ord. 5502, 12/9/2025)
Any owner of a building exempted from the provisions of this chapter may obtain the service of the Building Official by applying for a building permit and paying the customary fees.
(Ord. 4894 § 2, 2007; Ord. 5081 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5168 § 1, 2013; Ord. 5235 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5318 § 1, 2019; Ord. 5414 § 1, 2022; Ord. 5502, 12/9/2025)
General. Whenever in any of the codes adopted hereby the following names or terms are used, such name or term shall have the meaning ascribed to it by this section. If the same term is defined in Chapter 2 of the most recent edition of the California Building Code, then the definition in this chapter shall prevail. For any terms defined expressly for a particular chapter or section of the building standard codes adopted hereby, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as in those chapters.
(A) 
"Building, Accessibility and Fire Code Appeals Board"
means the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz or the Board of Directors of the fire department serving the jurisdiction for the location of the project.
(B) 
"Building and/or property service equipment"
refers to the plumbing, mechanical, electrical and elevator equipment including piping, wiring, fixtures and other accessories which provide sanitation, lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, firefighting and transportation facilities essential to the occupancy of the building or structure for its designated use.
(C) 
"Building Department"
means the section of the Community Development and Infrastructure Department that administers the building standards code.
(D) 
Building Official.
"Building Official," "Chief Building Inspector," "Administrative Authority," and all other terms and designations indicating the person authorized and directed to carry out, enforce, and exercise government rights, privileges, and duties shall, unless expressly indicated otherwise, mean the Building Official and their duly authorized deputies, assistants and inspectors. The "Building Official" is the Director of the Community Development and Infrastructure Department, or their appointed designee.
(E) 
"County"
means the County of Santa Cruz when referring to a political entity or an incorporated area of said County when referring to area.
(F) 
"County Clerk"
means the Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
(G) 
"Board of Supervisors"
means the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz.
(H) 
"Commencement of work"
shall be the completion of the first permanent work (not including wells, septic tanks, grading or temporary power poles). Said permanent work shall include footings, foundations, and caissons, etc., signed off by the Building Inspector with the concrete to be poured within five days after the reinforcement inspection.
(I) 
"Department"
means the Santa Cruz County Community Development and Infrastructure Department.
(J) 
"Director"
means the Director of the Santa Cruz County Community Development and Infrastructure Department.
(K) 
"Fire Chief"
means the Chief Officer of the Fire Department serving the jurisdiction for the location of a project, or a duly authorized agent.
(L) 
"Structure"
means that which is built or structured, as edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.
(M) 
"Valuation" or "value,"
as applied to a building and its building service equipment, shall be as noted in the County of Santa Cruz Community Development and Infrastructure Department's adopted fee schedule. For purposes of calculating square footage, refer to the definition of "Area, Building" in Section 202 of the 2025 California Building Code.
(Ord. 4894 § 2, 2007; Ord. 5024 § 7, 2008; Ord. 5050 § 4, 2009; Ord. 5081 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5168 § 1, 2013; Ord. 5235 § 1, 2016; Ord. 5318 § 1, 2019; Ord. 5414 § 1, 2022; Ord. 5502, 12/9/2025)