Many actions taken by the Department of Planning and Building staff, Building Official may be appealed. Actions by the Planning Department Hearing Officer, Subdivision Review Board, or Planning Commission, to approve or deny a permit application, may be appealed by the applicant or member of the public. In the Coastal Zone, many actions can also be appealed to the California Coastal Commission.
Who can use this service?
Any aggrieved person (including the applicant) may file an appeal within the applicable time limit of the decision being appealed.
Is there a charge for this service?
Please refer to the Department of Planning & Building Fee Schedule for application fees.
When and where is this service offered?
Appeals may be filed with the Department of Planning & Building during normal business hours. Coastal Commission appeals* may be filed directly with the Santa Cruz office of the California Coastal Commission.
*PLEASE NOTE: All possible local appeals (those available at each stage of the process) must be exhausted before filing an appeal with the Coastal Commission.