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 for a Free Property Damage Assessment Inspection

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

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 2: Determine Permit Requirements

After the Property Damage Assessment Inspection, staff will help you determine what type of permit will be required for repair.

  • Some work, such as some clean-up, 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, either utilizing our online EZ Permit service (no plans required) or ePlan Review (plans required).

Staff will help guide you through the appropriate next steps. Here are the ways to meet with building staff:

Option 1: Schedule an Appointment
You may schedule an appointment with Building Counter staff using the Appointment Scheduler. 

Option 2: Visit the Building Counter
Walk-in hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00–9:00 a.m.

 

STEP 3: Apply for a Building Permit (If Required)

If repairs require a permit, use the appropriate service:

EZ Permits (No Plans Required)
Some storm-related repairs qualify for an EZ Permit, which can be processed quickly online or, or in some cases, in-person with assistance from staff.

ePlan Review (Plans Required)
Repairs that do not qualify for EZ Permit, must be submitted through the ePlan Review portal. These are projects that require plans or supporting documents prepared by a designer, architect, or engineer.

 

Questions?

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