CDI Announcements

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.

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 

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.

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.

Environmental Planning Staff and the FireSafe Council of Santa Cruz County are here to help you create defensible space and harden your home in the face of wildfire. Visit Home Ignition  HIZ - Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County to discover available resources and take action today.

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.

We are now offering free pre-designed plans for residents interested in building ADUs in the unincorporated county. (Review and permit fees will still apply)

August 19, 2020 - Acceptance of an Application for Solid Waste Facility Permit Modification for the Ben Lomond Transfer Station.