Skip to content

Santa Cruz County · Building on your lot

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County's own rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text for every value.

Ask about affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Santa Cruz County See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the Santa Cruz County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Santa Cruz County's code says

Santa Cruz County code What Santa Cruz County's code adds
How long units stay affordable
  • Affordability lasts for the life of the unit.
    Applies: Applies to ownership affordable units.
    § 17.10.030 · code text
    Affordable units shall remain affordable to the required income level for the life of the unit.
Fee instead of units
  • The fee is equivalent to the fractional amount.
    Applies: Applies to a fractional affordable housing obligation.
    § 17.10.030 · code text
    Ownership residential projects which generate a fractional affordable housing obligation shall pay an affordable housing impact fee equivalent to the fractional amount, as specified in SCCC § 17.10.034.
  • An affordable housing impact fee at the rate in the unified fee schedule applies.
    Applies: An alternative to building the units, if the decision-making body approves.
    § 17.10.030 · code text
    Payment of an affordable housing impact fee consistent with SCCC § 17.10.034, at the rate shown in the unified fee schedule for projects subject to this section;
Projects it applies to
  • The rule applies to 7 or more new dwelling units, building sites (parcels), or a combination.
    Applies: Applies to ownership residential projects.
    § 17.10.030 · code text
    An ownership residential project shall be subject to the inclusionary housing requirements of this section if it will result in the creation of: (1) Seven or more new dwelling units;
Share of affordable units
  • At least 15 percent of new dwelling units and new residential building sites must be affordable.
    Applies: Applies to ownership projects of 7 or more units or sites; units are sold at a price affordable to moderate income households.
    § 17.10.030 · code text
    Ownership residential projects identified in subsection (A) of this section shall provide affordable units equal to a minimum of 15 percent of the total number of new dwelling units and new residential building sites in the residential project.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Does Santa Cruz County require affordable units in new housing?

Santa Cruz County's code: Affordability lasts for the life of the unit. (Applies to ownership affordable units.) (§ 17.10.030); The fee is equivalent to the fractional amount. (Applies to a fractional affordable housing obligation.) (§ 17.10.030).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Santa Cruz County property

Ask GoCodebook how Santa Cruz County's affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Santa Cruz County

All building on your lot rules in Santa Cruz County

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Santa Cruz County

Running a business from home in Santa Cruz County

Solar panels and EV chargers in Santa Cruz County

Swimming pools in Santa Cruz County

Building in a flood zone in Santa Cruz County

Home alarm permits and false alarms in Santa Cruz County

Trash and recycling carts in Santa Cruz County

Historic homes in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County Municipal Code — full text