Miscellaneous Appeals or Protests

For all appeals or protests, a letter and the required fee (if applicable) must be received by staff no later than 5:00 PM on the last day of the appeal/protest period noted in the table above. If the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, the appeal/protest period will end at 5:00 PM the next business day. The first day of the appeal/protest period is the day following the action.

The appellant must write a letter to the appropriate official or body and include the following information:

1. Whose decision is being appealed? Give the date of the decision.
2. Give the applicant's name, the application number, and the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN).
3. State your name
4. What are your reasons for appealing?
5. Bring your letter and the fee (if applicable) to the Zoning Counter on the 4th Floor at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz no later than 5:00 PM on the last day of the appeal period. Mailed appeals must also be received by that date and time. Postmarks will not be accepted.

An appeal will not be accepted without the fee. Call (831) 454-2130 or email zoning staff for the current fee. Make the check payable to the County of Santa Cruz.

Any Planning staff decision or action on an Administrative Permit (Levels I through IV) may be appealed by the applicant to the Planning Director. In addition, any action on a Level 4 permit may also be appealed by any interested person. The Director, or their designee, must commence action of the appeal within 20 business days and will notify the applicant and/or appellant of the decision in writing within 60 days of the appeal submittal. The decision is final unless a member of the Board of Supervisors requests consideration of the matter.

Any actions of the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) or the Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission (APAC) are appealable to the Board of Supervisors. Upon receipt of an appeal, the staff will place a letter on the Board's agenda to schedule a public hearing to consider the appeal. The Board's action on the appeal is final. If the Board substantially modifies the project considered by the HRC or APAC, the Board must refer the matter back to the HRC or APAC for a recommendation.

Following the issuance of a Notice of Intent to Record a Violation, the property owner may protest the notice to the Planning Director. The Planning Director, or their designee, will meet with the property owner to consider evidence that the violation does not exist. If the Planning Director determines that no violation exists, the Notice of Intent to record a Violation will be rescinded. If the Planning Director determines that a violation does exist, the Department may record a Notice of Violation on the subject property.