You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-08-21.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County building permits
VerifiedUnincorporated Santa Cruz County, Arizona — as published 2026-08-21.
Verified 2026-07-23 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building/Grading Permit (New Construction, Additions, Accessory Structures)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family/two-family residential construction, additions, and accessory structures in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. Reviewed against the 2012 IBC/IRC and 2011 NEC as adopted by the County. Grading (where cut/fill exceeds 50 cubic yards) is bundled into the same permit rather than issued standalone. Applications are submitted to the Building Department (Community Development) using the County's Building/Grading Permit Application, accompanied by the Plan Submittal Check List items.
Verified 2026-07-07 · Source
Requirements
- Building/Grading Permit Application, including the Applicant's Certification and Acknowledgement page, fully signed
- Two complete hard-copy sets of plans (including 2 site plans), plus an electronic PDF copy emailed to permitting@santacruzcountyaz.gov
- Site plan drawn to scale (1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, or 1:60) showing property line distances/bearings, north arrow, physical address, APN, owner of record, front/rear/side setbacks, all existing and proposed structures with location/size/height, street name, driveway, utility easements, entire parcel, and area to be graded
- Landscape Acknowledgement Form (Article 19, Section 1906(A) of the County Zoning & Development Code)
- Right of Way Application for driveway access
- Approved Flood Hazard Information Sheet or issued Flood Plain Use Permit (required if parcel is in the FEMA floodplain)
- Copy of the approved septic Construction Authorization Permit (from Santa Cruz County Health/ADEQ) including the approved site plan and floor plan, OR a water/sewer letter confirming service
- Proof of ownership (Assessor's Office parcel print-out); if owner name does not match, a recorded deed copy is required
- Owner Builder Form, if applicable (owner and immediate family performing the work; any hired labor must be Arizona ROC-licensed)
- Exterior Lighting Schedule with cut sheets (lumens/watts) for all exterior lights, per County Outdoor Lighting Regulations
- Homes 3,600 sq ft or larger (living space + garage) require Fire Department approval, but only in the Rio Rico and Tubac Fire Districts
- Contractor's Transaction Privilege Tax License Number required for projects over $50,000
- Bond exemption certificate from the Arizona Department of Revenue required for contractors when construction value exceeds $50,000
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Grading Permit ApplicationSanta Cruz County Community Development Department form (Rev. 8/4/2023), including the Applicant's Certification and Acknowledgement page that incorporates the A.R.S. §11-1605 review-timeframe rights/obligations; available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17402/BUILDING-GRADING-PERMIT-APPLICATION
- RequiredPlan Submittal Check ListCounty checklist of required plan/document elements for a complete submittal (Revised 2/18/2026); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15965/Plan-Submittal-Check-List
- RequiredSite Plan RequirementsCounty one-page specification for the required scaled site plan; available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21268/Site-Plan-Requirements
- RequiredLandscape Acknowledgement FormRequired under Article 19, Section 1906(A) of the Zoning & Development Code (Rev. 3/9/2020); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12182/Landscape-Acknowledgement-Form
- OptionalOwner Builder FormRequired only if the owner is acting as their own general contractor (Rev. 3/9/2020); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12183/Owner-Builder-Form
- OptionalExample DrawingsCounty reference drawings illustrating expected floor plan, foundation plan, and elevation content; available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11766/Example-Drawings
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based per Table 1-A | $1–$500: $60.00 minimum fee; $501–$2,000: $23.50 for the first $500 + $3.00 per additional $100 (or fraction), $60 minimum; $2,001–$25,000: $69.00 for the first $2,000 + $14.00 per additional $1,000 (or fraction); $25,001–$50,000: $391.50 for the first $25,000 + $10.00 per additional $1,000; $50,001–$100,000: $643.50 for the first $50,000 + $7.00 per additional $1,000; $100,001–$500,000: $993.50 for the first $100,000 + $5.50 per additional $1,000; $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,233.50 for the first $500,000 + $4.50 per additional $1,000; $1,000,001+: $5,608.50 for the first $1,000,000 + $3.50 per additional $1,000 | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 6 and Exhibit A (Table 1-A). Show full citationHideGuidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 6 and Exhibit A (Table 1-A). Based on the ICC Building Valuation Data Table (BVD-0213) with a County-added $15/sq ft construction cost for carports and porches. This is the most recent building-fee table the County publishes; no superseding fee-schedule document is linked from the current Building Department or Forms & Resources pages (only a 2025 Health Services fee schedule is currently linked under 'Fees' on the Forms & Resources page, and it does not cover Building Department permits). Confirm current amounts directly with the Building Department (520-375-7880) before relying on these 2014 figures for a live project. |
| Plan Review Fee | 35% of the Building Permit Fee for one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures; 50% of the Building Permit Fee for all other project types | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 4. Due at time of application submittal; non-refundable; separate from the permit fee itself. |
| Zoning Clearance Fee | $50.00 flat | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 5 and Exhibit A. Applies to all permits containing a site plan (residential, commercial, grading, pool, etc.); due at time of plan submittal. Electric and gas utility permits are exempt. |
| Grading Permit Fee (bundled with Building Permit where applicable) | Twice the amount calculated from Table A-33-B (e.g., 50 cu yd or less: $23.50 base → $47.00 doubled; 1,001–10,000 cu yd: $194.50 + $14.50/additional 1,000 cu yd, base amount, then doubled) | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 7 and Table A-33-B. Required for any grading exceeding 50 cubic yards; issued only in conjunction with the building permit. |
| After-hours inspection / re-inspection / unspecified inspection / additional plan review | $47.00 per hour (or the jurisdiction's actual hourly cost, whichever is greater); after-hours inspections have a 2-hour minimum charge; unspecified-fee inspections have a half-hour minimum | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Exhibit A, 'Other Inspections and Fees.' |
Commercial/Multi-Family Building Permit (New Construction, Tenant Improvement)
VerifiedRequired for all new commercial, industrial, and multi-family construction, and any structure other than a single-family residence, in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. These projects require separate plan approval from the Santa Cruz County Planning and Zoning Department in addition to Building Department review, and carry a higher (50%) plan review fee rate than residential.
Verified 2026-07-23 · Source
Requirements
- Required for all new commercial, industrial, and multi-family construction and any non-single-family structure in unincorporated Santa Cruz County
- Separate plan approval required from Santa Cruz County Planning and Zoning Department (contact: 520-375-7683) in addition to Building Department plan review
- Two complete hard-copy sets of plans (including 2 site plans), plus an electronic PDF copy emailed to permitting@santacruzcountyaz.gov
- Contractor's Transaction Privilege Tax License Number required for projects over $50,000
- Bond exemption certificate from the Arizona Department of Revenue required for contractors when construction value exceeds $50,000
- TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) approval and Fire Department approval are required for commercial projects per the County's Plan Submittal Check List. TAC is an interdepartmental Development Plan review (Fire District, Community Development, Public Works, Flood Control, Environmental Health, and the Building Dept. including ADWR/ADEQ/ADOT) administered by the Community Development Department. It requires a completed Development Plan application, a $300.00 fee (covers 3 reviews; $100.00 for each review thereafter), 2 full-size plan sets delivered to the Fire District of jurisdiction, and a cover sheet/plans stamped by a Registered Design Professional for grading/paving/drainage, improvements, and landscape/lighting. Source: Santa Cruz County Community Development Dept., 'Technical Advisory Committee Development Plan — Submittal Requirements Check List' (Rev. 10/10/2025), https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9364/TAC-Application-Development-Plan
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Grading Permit ApplicationSame County-wide application form used for residential and commercial permits (Rev. 8/4/2023); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17402/BUILDING-GRADING-PERMIT-APPLICATION
- RequiredPlan Submittal Check ListNotes TAC Approval and Fire Department Approval as required specifically for commercial projects (Revised 2/18/2026); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15965/Plan-Submittal-Check-List
- RequiredTechnical Advisory Committee (TAC) Development Plan — Submittal Requirements Check ListCommunity Development Department checklist/application for TAC Development Plan review (Rev. 10/10/2025), required for commercial/non-single-family projects; lists the $300 TAC fee, reviewing departments, and full submittal package; available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9364/TAC-Application-Development-Plan
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based per Table 1-A | Same Table 1-A valuation brackets as the residential permit (see Residential Building/Grading Permit fee entry for full table) | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Exhibit A. Show full citationHideGuidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Exhibit A. No separate commercial-only valuation table is published; Table 1-A applies county-wide regardless of occupancy type. No newer Building Department fee schedule than the 2014 Guidelines for Builders is published anywhere on the County's site: the County's Forms & Resources page carries none, the County's SmartGov Online Permit Center (co-santacruz-az.smartgovcommunity.com) publicly returns no downloadable documents in its 'Documents' section, and the FY2024-25 Tentative Budget (https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20429/2024-2025-Tentative-Budget) shows only an aggregate 'Building Permits' general-fund revenue line item, no per-type fee table. Confirm current amounts directly with the Building Department (520-375-7880) before relying on these 2014 figures for an active project. |
| TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) Development Plan Review Fee | $300.00 flat (covers up to 3 reviews); $100.00 for each additional review thereafter | Santa Cruz County Community Development Department, TAC Development Plan Submittal Requirements Check List (Rev. Show full citationHideSanta Cruz County Community Development Department, TAC Development Plan Submittal Requirements Check List (Rev. 10/10/2025), https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9364/TAC-Application-Development-Plan — live, confirmed 2026-07-23. Separate from, and in addition to, the Building Permit Fee, Plan Review Fee, and Zoning Clearance Fee. |
| Plan Review Fee | 50% of the Building Permit Fee (commercial/multi-family/other, vs. 35% for one- and two-family residential) | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 4. |
| Zoning Clearance Fee | $50.00 flat | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 5. Applies to all permits containing a site plan. |
Minor Electrical, Solar, and Gas Permit
VerifiedFlat-fee permit track for minor electrical work, solar installations, and gas work in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. Solar permits require stamped engineering for gravity and uplift loads. Exempt from the Zoning Clearance Fee that applies to site-plan-bearing permits.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Applies to minor electrical, solar, and gas permit work
- Solar permits require stamped engineering for gravity and uplift loads
- Exempt from the $50.00 Zoning Clearance Fee (unlike residential/commercial/grading/pool permits)
- Submit Building/Grading Permit Application with project scope and contractor licensing information
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Grading Permit ApplicationSame County-wide application form (Rev. 8/4/2023); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17402/BUILDING-GRADING-PERMIT-APPLICATION
- OptionalStamped Engineering (Solar only)Required for solar installations to certify gravity and uplift load compliance
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Electrical, Solar, or Gas Permit — flat fee | $60.00 flat | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 6. |
Grading Permit (Standalone / Excavation and Grading)
VerifiedRequired in unincorporated Santa Cruz County for any grading exceeding 50 cubic yards, per Ordinance Nos. 2001-06 & 2007-05 and the County's Excavation and Grading Ordinance. Normally bundled with a building permit, but is administered under its own fee table (Table A-33-B, doubled) and its own dedicated ordinance.
Verified 2026-07-23 · Source
Requirements
- Required for any grading exceeding 50 cubic yards of cut/fill in unincorporated Santa Cruz County
- Issued only in conjunction with a building permit, except where grading falls under Planning and Zoning Department jurisdiction or in special cases approved by the Building Official
- Submit two complete sets of grading plans showing areas to be graded and depths/amounts (in cubic yards) of cuts and/or fills
- If cuts/fills exceed 5 feet, an area cross-section plan is required
- Where grading is part of a larger commercial, multi-family or subdivision project subject to Planning and Zoning Department review, it is reviewed through the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Development Plan process rather than, or in addition to, the standalone or building-permit-bundled track. The TAC submittal requires a cover sheet and grading/paving/drainage plans stamped by a Registered Design Professional, plus a Hydrology/Hydraulic Report, for a $300.00 fee covering 3 reviews ($100.00 each additional review). Source: Santa Cruz County Community Development Dept., 'Technical Advisory Committee Development Plan — Submittal Requirements Check List' (Rev. 10/10/2025), https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9364/TAC-Application-Development-Plan.
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Grading Permit ApplicationSame combined County-wide application form used for building and grading (Rev. 8/4/2023); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17402/BUILDING-GRADING-PERMIT-APPLICATION
- OptionalExcavation and Grading OrdinanceGoverning ordinance (Ordinance Nos. 2001-06 & 2007-05); available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/972/Excavation-and-Grading-Ordinance. The 8-page ordinance sets grading-permit administrative procedure (regular vs. engineered grading, exemptions, cuts/fills, bonds) and references fee Tables A-33-A/A-33-B by name but does not itself contain the dollar figures — those are published only in the Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), per the fee entries below.
- RequiredGrading Plans (2 complete sets)Showing graded areas and cut/fill depths in cubic yards; cross-section required if cuts/fills exceed 5 feet
- OptionalTechnical Advisory Committee (TAC) Development Plan — Submittal Requirements Check ListCommunity Development Department checklist/application for TAC Development Plan review (Rev. 10/10/2025), required when grading is reviewed under Planning and Zoning Department jurisdiction as part of a larger development plan; lists the $300 TAC fee and required grading/paving/drainage plan stamp; available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9364/TAC-Application-Development-Plan
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grading Permit Fee — per Table A-33-B, doubled | 50 cu yd or less: $23.50 base ($47.00 doubled); 51–100 cu yd: $37.00 base; 101–1,000 cu yd: $37.00 for first 100 cu yd + $17.50 per additional 100 cu yd; 1,001–10,000 cu yd: $194.50 for first 1,000 cu yd + $14.50 per additional 1,000 cu yd; 10,001–100,000 cu yd: $325.00 for first 10,000 cu yd + $66.00 per additional 10,000 cu yd; 100,001+ cu yd: $919.00 for first 100,000 cu yd + $36.50 per additional 10,000 cu yd — ALL base amounts then doubled per Section 7 | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 7 and attached Table A-33-B. Show full citationHideGuidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 7 and attached Table A-33-B. No newer grading/excavation fee schedule is published: the County's Forms & Resources page and DocumentCenter carry none, the County's SmartGov Online Permit Center (co-santacruz-az.smartgovcommunity.com) has no downloadable documents in its public 'Documents' section, the FY2024-25 Tentative Budget contains only an aggregate revenue line with no per-permit fee table, and the Excavation and Grading Ordinance itself references but does not restate Table A-33-B. Confirm current amounts directly with the Building Department (520-375-7880) before relying on these 2014 figures for an active project. |
| TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) Development Plan Review Fee — grading reviewed under Planning and Zoning jurisdiction | $300.00 flat (covers up to 3 reviews); $100.00 for each additional review thereafter | Santa Cruz County Community Development Department, TAC Development Plan Submittal Requirements Check List (Rev. Show full citationHideSanta Cruz County Community Development Department, TAC Development Plan Submittal Requirements Check List (Rev. 10/10/2025), https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9364/TAC-Application-Development-Plan — live, confirmed 2026-07-23. Applies when grading is reviewed as part of a Development Plan under Planning and Zoning Department jurisdiction, distinct from the standard Table A-33-B grading-permit fee bundled with a standalone building permit. |
| After-hours inspection / re-inspection (grading-specific) | $50.50 per hour (2-hour minimum for after-hours; $47.00 minimum for unspecified-fee inspections) | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Table A-33-B, 'Other Inspections and Fees.' |
Solar PV Permit
VerifiedSanta Cruz County processes residential solar PV installations under its flat-fee Minor Electrical, Solar, and Gas Permit, a single track that also covers minor electrical and gas work. Solar installations require stamped engineering for gravity and uplift loads, and are exempt from the county's $50 Zoning Clearance Fee that applies to permits carrying a site plan.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Solar installations are processed under the Minor Electrical, Solar, and Gas Permit track — submit the same County-wide Building/Grading Permit Application (Rev. 8/4/2023) used for that permit type
- Stamped engineering required to certify gravity and uplift load compliance for the solar array/racking system
- Exempt from the $50.00 Zoning Clearance Fee that applies to residential/commercial/grading/pool permits with a site plan
- Governed by the county's adopted 2012 IPC/IMC and 2011 NEC as applicable to the installation's electrical and mechanical components
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Grading Permit ApplicationSame County-wide application form (Rev. 8/4/2023) used for the Minor Electrical, Solar, and Gas Permit track
- RequiredStamped Engineering (Solar)Required specifically for solar installations to certify gravity and uplift load compliance
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Electrical, Solar, or Gas Permit — flat fee (covers solar installations) | $60.00 flat | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 6 — same source and figure documented in this jurisdiction's minor-electrical-solar-gas-permit entry; solar is not billed under a separate valuation-based rate. |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedSanta Cruz County does not publish a distinct EV charger/EVSE fee line. Installing electric vehicle charging equipment in unincorporated Santa Cruz County is minor electrical work and falls under the county's flat-fee "Minor Electrical, Solar, and Gas Permit" track — the same $60 flat-fee category used for other minor electrical installations, exempt from the $50 Zoning Clearance Fee that applies to site-plan-bearing permits. Installation must comply with the adopted 2011 NEC.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Minor Electrical Permit required for EV charger/EVSE circuit installation in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, filed via the County-wide Building/Grading Permit Application
- Exempt from the $50.00 Zoning Clearance Fee that applies to site-plan-bearing permits
- Installation must comply with the adopted 2011 National Electrical Code
- No distinct EV charger/EVSE fee line, expedited timeline, or SolarAPP+-style instant-permitting platform was found published by the county as of the last verification
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Grading Permit ApplicationSame County-wide application form (Rev. 8/4/2023) used for the Minor Electrical, Solar, and Gas Permit track
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Electrical Permit (EV charger/EVSE) — flat fee | $60.00 flat | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 6 — same flat fee documented on this jurisdiction's Minor Electrical, Solar, and Gas Permit entry; no distinct EV charger/EVSE fee line is published. |
Sign Permit
A building permit from the Building Inspector is required to erect, structurally repair, relocate, or alter the size of any sign in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, under Article 17 (Sign Regulations) of the Santa Cruz County Zoning and Development Code. The county publishes a dedicated Sign Application (Community Development Department — Planning & Building, revised 10/09/2025) separate from the general Building/Grading Permit Application. Repainting or minor repair of the sign surface only does not require a permit, and Section 1707 exempts several classes of small, temporary, and non-commercial signs.
Reviewed 2026-07-23 · Source
Requirements
- Zoning and Development Code Sec. 1702: it is unlawful to erect, structurally repair, relocate, or alter the size of any sign without first obtaining a Building Permit from the Building Inspector; all illuminated signs are additionally subject to all provisions of the Electrical Code
- Sec. 1703 requires, in addition to the ordinary building-permit information: the position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures; two blueprints of plans and specifications including method of construction and attachment to the building or ground; structural calculations proving the sign is designed for wind pressures per the Code; the name of the person, firm, or corporation erecting the structure; written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or premises; and approval of all proposed wiring and connections of illuminated signs in compliance with the Electrical Code
- County Sign Application package (revised 10/09/2025) requires: the completed application form including the Certification and Acknowledgement pages, signed by the property owner (or a letter of authorization from the owner for an agent); a County Assessor's Office Property Profile; a site plan showing the location of any free standing sign (property boundaries, proposed and existing structures, setbacks from property lines, on paper no smaller than 11" x 17"); wall elevations to scale showing sign mount location and dimensions; a graphic of the sign showing dimensions and square footage of each sign; a Flood Hazard Information Sheet; two copies of the sign plans in color; and the contractor's ROC number
- Application asks for number of wall signs, number of free standing signs, square footage of each sign (up to five listed plus a total), and type of illumination
- General and electrical contractor names, phone numbers and ROC numbers must be listed on the application
- No permit is required for the repainting of, or minor repair to, the sign surface only (Sec. 1702)
- Sec. 1707 permit exemptions include: signs not exceeding 1 sq ft bearing only property/post box numbers, occupant names or other identification; professional name plates not exceeding 2 sq ft; on-site traffic/parking direction signs bearing no advertising, up to 3 sq ft; traffic and other county/emergency/governmental signs and legal notices; memorial signs, building names and dates of erection cut into masonry or made of bronze or other non-combustible material, up to 8 sq ft; real estate signs up to 4 sq ft in residential districts and up to 12 sq ft in commercial and industrial districts; up to three off-premises 'open house' direction signs up to 6 sq ft each, not in the public right-of-way and with the written approval of the property owner, for no longer than two years after issuance of the building permits for the project advertised; one temporary non-illuminated major-project construction sign up to 36 sq ft, removed prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy; temporary political signs up to 36 sq ft within the statutory campaign window; one non-illuminated home-occupation name plate up to 3 sq ft; and temporary grand-opening signs up to 36 sq ft for a maximum of 14 calendar days
- Sec. 1704: if the work authorized by a sign building permit has not been completed within six (6) months, the permit becomes null and void
- Sec. 1715: a change in the type of business requires ALL signs on the site to be brought into conformance with the Code, and a Building Permit for any new sign will not be issued until all non-conforming signs owned by the business are brought into compliance
- Commercial and other non-single-family projects reviewed through the Technical Advisory Committee must include a Sign Plan (including illumination) per Article 17 in the TAC Development Plan submittal
Required documents
- RequiredSign ApplicationSanta Cruz County Community Development Department (Planning & Building) dedicated sign permit application and submittal checklist, revised 10/09/2025, linked from the live Building Department page under 'Permit Applications'; available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16338/Sign-Application
- RequiredCertification and AcknowledgementCounty form incorporating the A.R.S. §11-1605 permit-review timeframes and appeal rights; the Sign Application checklist requires the completed application form to include these pages. Available at https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12959/Certification-and-Acknowledgement
- RequiredCounty Assessor's Office Property ProfileRequired with the Sign Application per the county's own submittal checklist
- RequiredFlood Hazard Information SheetRequired with the Sign Application per the county's own submittal checklist (Santa Cruz County FHIS program, https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/787/FHIS)
- RequiredSign plans (two copies, in color) and structural wind-load calculationsTwo blueprints of plans and specifications including method of construction and attachment, plus structural calculations proving design for wind pressures per Sec. 1703 of the Zoning and Development Code; the Sign Application additionally requires two copies of the sign plans in color
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign permit fee | Not published as a distinct line item | Zoning and Development Code Sec. 1702 makes a sign permit a Building Permit issued by the Building Inspector, so the county's ordinance-adopted building fee structure applies — Ordinance No. Show full citationHideZoning and Development Code Sec. 1702 makes a sign permit a Building Permit issued by the Building Inspector, so the county's ordinance-adopted building fee structure applies — Ordinance No. 2013-03, Section 10 adopts Table 1-A (Exhibit A), Table A-33-B (Exhibit B), and the ICC Building Valuation Data Table as the Santa Cruz County Building Department fee schedule (read from a page render of the recorded ordinance, page 13 of 15). No sign-specific fee line appears anywhere in that schedule, in the Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), or in the Sign Application itself, whose only fee reference is a blank FOR OFFICE USE ONLY 'FEES:' box. Article 30 (Planning and Zoning Fees) of the Zoning and Development Code was rescinded effective January 10, 2003 (Case #02-08), so the Code carries no fee table either. No amount is asserted; confirm with the Building Department at 520-375-7880. |
| Plan Review Fee | 35% of the Building Permit Fee for one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures; 50% of the Building Permit Fee for all other project types | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 4, and Ordinance No. 2013-03 Section 10 (recorded 2013-05317, page 14 of 15, read from render). Due at time of application submittal; non-refundable. Which rate applies to a sign permit is not stated in either document. |
| Zoning Clearance Fee | $50.00 flat | Guidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 5 and Exhibit A: applies to all permits containing a site plan. Show full citationHideGuidelines for Builders (Rev. 03/2014), Section 5 and Exhibit A: applies to all permits containing a site plan. The county's Sign Application requires a site plan for any free standing sign, so this fee is expected on a free-standing sign application; neither document names sign permits explicitly, so treat it as expected rather than confirmed. |
| Work commenced before a permit is obtained | Double permit fee | Ordinance No. 2013-03, Section 10 (page 14 of 15, read from render): 'when any work requiring a permit commences before a permit has been obtained a double permit fee will be due.' |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-23.
Applications & forms
Checklists & handouts
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Unincorporated Santa Cruz County building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.