CDI Announcements

District 5 residents can help reduce wildfire risk this summer by clearing vegetation and taking advantage of free green waste disposal on the last Saturday of each month through June at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station.

Earth Day Santa Cruz will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM in Downtown Santa Cruz (Pacific Ave and Cooper Street). Join us for some free family-friendly fun! Check out the Earth Day 

The County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors approved the draft Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Ordinance on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The approved draft ordinance is now available for public review on the County’s BESS webpage.

Access a centralized resource page with links and contact information for Santa Cruz County road conditions, infrastructure services, transportation agencies, emergency alerts, evacuation tools, and public safety resources.

Our website now features Major Project Applications, a new section where the public can learn more about major development proposals and other projects of community interest.

We’ve been gathering feedback from counter appointments and permit approval surveys and we’re using your input to keep improving. See the results on UPC Scorecard Metrics.

Learn more about types of Building permits, processing times, and more, so that you can develop a realistic timeline for your project.

The County of Santa Cruz, in partnership with nonprofit Hello Housing, has launched an ADU Incentives Program. The program offers free project management support to participating homeowners through every phase of the development process. Learn more and apply now as spaces are limited.

Now the Building Permit Application Status page has been expanded to increase transparency and includes the "Reviewer's Name" and "Review due date." Access your building permit status information here.  

Our 2024 Annual Report is out now! Check it out. 

Starting July 1, 2025, the Ben Lomond Transfer Station will continue accepting CRV beverage containers for recycling but will no longer provide CRV payouts due to changes in CalRecycles CRV Program. Learn more on our page.

Learn more about the City of Santa Cruz's Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Rail Project

We're happy to announce that work is progressing at the Children's Crisis Center!

Volunteer or attend public meetings, events, etc to get involved in the conversation!

At a public hearing on March 15, 2024, the California Coastal Commission certified the Sustainability Update Local Coastal Program Amendment. The Sustainability Update is now in effect!

To meet the future needs of County residents and business, the Buena Vista Landfill must undergo a transformation. Learn more about what we are doing.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - Santa Cruz County Recycyling and Sold Waste Services

Santa Cruz County completes its 6th Cycle Housing Element and Sustainability Policy, addressing housing shortages and promoting sustainable development to enhance the quality of life in unincorporated areas.

The Santa Cruz County Planning Division is intensifying efforts to combat unpermitted vacation rentals, aiming to alleviate housing availability issues by actively identifying non-compliant properties in collaboration with law enforcement and implementing escalating fines and penalties for violations.