How to respond to Santa Cruz County’s Letter file

How to resubmit to Santa Cruz County after plan check corrections, in the words of Santa Cruz County’s own page. Each fact links to its source.

From Santa Cruz County’s own page, read October 31, 2026: cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov

What Santa Cruz County calls it

Santa Cruz County calls its correction letter “Letter file”.

Source: cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov

How to resubmit after Santa Cruz County plan check corrections, at a glance

In our words, from Santa Cruz County’s own page. The exact steps are on the page linked below.

1. Once reviews finish and status reads Resubmittal, the ePlan portal opens for uploads.
2. Make revisions that address every agency's corrections, marked with clouds and delta markers.
3. Once uploads are done, click the green notification button to notify CDI.

From Santa Cruz County’s own page, read October 31, 2026: cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov

What to include

• The Letter file must explain revision locations with sheet/drawing numbers.
• Do not include any other documents in the Letter file.
• Do not upload files unless they contain revisions.

From Santa Cruz County’s own page, read October 31, 2026: cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov

Codes its letters cite

Building code named on the city’s pages: 2025 California Building Standards Code (Cal. Code Regs., Title 24).

Source: cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov

Local amendments to the building code

Filed local amendments with the California Building Standards Commission (ordinance 5502, 5503).

Source: dgs.ca.gov

The city's adoption page: cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov

Official links

• Resubmittal instructions
• ePlan
• Building department page
• Building department: (831) 454-2580 (cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov, checked October 31, 2026)
• Address: 701 Ocean St., 4th Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov, checked October 31, 2026)

Links and facts checked on October 28, 2026.

California rules every plan check here follows

These come from California law and state agencies, so they apply in Santa Cruz County as well. Each links to its source.

Building code in force

The 2025 edition of Title 24, the California Building Standards Code, has been in effect since January 1, 2026.

Source: California Building Standards Commission, checked October 31, 2026

Energy code

If your permit application was filed on or after January 1, 2026, the project has to meet the 2025 Energy Code.

Source: California Energy Commission, checked October 31, 2026

Energy forms with the application

A building permit application covered by the energy code (Part 6) must include at least one copy of the required energy compliance documents.

Source: California Energy Commission, 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, checked October 31, 2026

Green building code (CALGreen)

The 2025 edition of CALGreen, the state green building code (Part 11), took effect on January 1, 2026.

Source: California Building Standards Commission, checked October 31, 2026

ADU decision deadline

If the city or county has not approved or denied a complete application for an ADU or junior ADU within 60 days, the application is treated as approved (Gov. Code § 66317).

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU Handbook, checked October 31, 2026

ADU denials must explain the fix

When a city or county denies an ADU or junior ADU application, it must send written comments within 60 days that list each problem and explain how you can correct it.

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU Handbook, checked October 31, 2026

Building permits for approved housing projects

For housing projects that already have planning approval, the city or county has 15 business days to say whether a building permit application is complete, then 30 or 60 days, depending on how many units are proposed, to decide whether it meets the standards.

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing Law Fact Sheets, checked October 31, 2026

What a good response to Letter file has

General guidance, not Santa Cruz County’s own rules. Check its page before you resubmit.

• Answer every comment, in the reviewer’s order and numbering, so nothing is missed.
• Say plainly what you changed for each comment, or why no change is needed.
• Name the sheet and detail where each change is, so the reviewer can find it fast.
• Mark changes on the drawings (clouds or deltas are common) and keep sheet numbers the same.
• Send the response letter, the revised drawings and any new calculations together.

Other California city guides

• City of Capitola
• City of Santa Cruz
• City of Scotts Valley
• City of Watsonville

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