Recovery Permit Center Dashboard

The CZU Fire Recovery Permit Center Dashboard provides basic data about the pace of the recovery from the perspective of building permit activity.

1. The numbers of dwelling permits that have been issued and that are in process, as a percentage of the number of homes that were destroyed by the fire, is one indicator of the number of families that are ready to construct their replacement homes. The pace of the Santa Cruz County recovery, measured this way, helps us compare our rate of recovery to other similar fires that have affected other communities.
2. The numbers of “other permits”, which include temporary power poles and outbuilding for storage of building equipment, are often forward indicators of property owner rebuilding efforts and future building permits that will be applied for in the coming months. The Recovery Permit Center also issues “pre-application clearances”, and the number of property owners that have received the three required technical clearances (fire access, environmental health-sewage disposal, and geologic hazard) and are able to submit for their building permit (once completing geotechnical report, foundation design, home design and construction documents) indicates how many replacement homes are “on deck” for permitting. This group of residents who have all three clearances but have NOT submitted their building permit package may also indicate that there are barriers to rebuilding that are outside the permit process and County control. Issues such as insurance payout, other financial considerations or technical consultant lead time could be delaying the ability to submit for building permits.
3. The dwelling unit numbers are for permanent replacement homes, and do not include temporary homes. Temporary permits have been issued to property owners who are residing on their parcel during rebuilding or until they have the resources to rebuild a permanent home.
4. The Recovery Permit Center issues “pre-application clearances” for fire access, environmental health-sewage disposal, and potential geologic hazards. Once properties have all three clearances, owners can submit for their dwelling units building permit, after completing their construction documents (home design and construction details) and geotechnical engineering report (required by the building code) along with any other required technical material.

The Recovery Permit Center also reviews applications and issues recovery related permits for things other than dwelling units. For those that have not yet engaged in the rebuild process we encourage you to make an appointment with the Recovery Permit Center. The RPC team is available for video and phone pre-application consultation meetings as often as needed to help you make decisions, prepare plans, and submit your package. They will ensure you have full understanding of the process and know how to check on your progress once you have applied. Make an appointment today. Download and review the Steps for Obtaining a Rebuilding Permit.

You can also contact us by email at rpc@santacruzcounty.us or by phone at 831-454-5323. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8am-Noon and 1-5pm.