About Us
The functions of the Planning Commission include the following:
- Develop and maintain a general plan;
- Develop such specific plans as may be necessary or desirable;
- Review the annual Planning Division work program and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors;
- Periodically review the county capital improvement program for consistency with the general plan and related elements;
- Develop and maintain, with staff, a Commission policy manual;
- Communicate with other county advisory bodies concerned with planning matters;
- Exercise any other responsibilities which may be set forth in the Commission's bylaws approved by the Board of Supervisors.
In addition to these functions, the Planning Commission has been designated by the County Code as the Approving Body for a number of different types of Development Permits and Land Divisions. The Commission's permit approval authority includes:
- Permanent Room Housing
- Community Centers/Lodges greater than 10,000 square feet
- Organized Camps
- Medium/Large Wineries
- All land divisions greater than 15 lots
- Commercial uses greater than 50,000 square feet
- Cannabis Cultivation, Distribution, and Manufacturing uses greater than 20,000 square feet
- All Parks, Golf Courses, and Recreational Clubs
- All Mining Permits
- Large Grading Projects
All appeals filed from actions of the Zoning Administrator
In addition, the Planning Commission makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on all projects that require final Board approval. These include all proposals to rezone land or to amend the General Plan/Local Coastal Program, Planned Unit Developments, and Specific Plans.
All actions of the Planning Commission are appealable to the Board of Supervisors as described in Chapter 18.10 of the County Code.
For more information on Santa Cruz County Commissions, Committees, and Advisory Bodies, click here.