Storm Damage Recovery

If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 911 now.

Once everyone is safe, the County of Santa Cruz can help guide you through next steps for repairing storm-related damage.

 

STEP 1: Contact the Unified Permit Center

If your property has been damaged by a storm, contact the Unified Permit Center staff for assistance.  Our staff will do their best to respond within one business day.

Phone: (831) 454-3171
Email: stormdamage@santacruzcountyca.gov


STEP 2: Request a Free Property Damage Assessment Inspection

We offer a Property Damage Assessment Inspection (PDAI) at no cost. This inspection helps determine whether a building permit is required for repairs.

To request a PDAI, please email stormdamage@santacruzcountyca.gov with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Property address or Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), if available
  • A phone number where you can be reached
  • Cause of the damage (for example: tree fall, flooding, fire, earthquake, etc.)
  • Whether there has been any earth movement (such as a landslide or debris flow)

County staff will contact you directly to schedule the inspection.

 

STEP 3: Determine Permit Requirements

After the Property Damage Assessment Inspection:

  • Some repairs may not require a permit
  • Some repairs may qualify for an Emergency Building Permit.
  • Others will require a building permit, depending on the extent of the damage

If a permit is required, RPC staff will help guide you through the appropriate next steps.

 

STEP 4: Apply for a Building Permit (If Required)

If repairs require a permit, there are several ways to apply:

Option 1: Visit the Building Counter
Walk-in hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00–9:00 a.m.

Option 2: Schedule an Appointment
You may schedule an appointment with Building Counter staff using the following link:
(insert scheduling link here)

EZ Permits
Some storm-related repairs qualify for an EZ Permit, which can be processed quickly online or with assistance from staff.

More Complex Repairs
Repairs that exceed thresholds of an EZ Permit, that require plans or supporting documents prepared by a designer, architect, or engineer, must be prepared and submitted through the ePlan Review portal. 

 

Get Help or Submit Directly

If you need general information about building permits or submittal requirements, you may contact: Planning.BuildingInfo@santacruzcountyca.gov

If you already know what is required, you may submit your application directly through ePlan Review.