Santa Cruz County Governments
Santa Cruz County, like all California counties, is a subdivision of state government charged with providing for the health and welfare of the people within the county. As such it supports the court system and district attorneys, the delivery of social services, enforcement of health and safety legislation, law enforcement throughout the County (the sheriff's office), all land records, tax assessment and collection, and administers all elections. For unincorporated areas of the County, the County also provides land use planning, parks, public works, and economic development services and regulation.
There are four incorporated cities in Santa Cruz County, each with their own local government, police, land use planning, public works and economic development departments. These cities are Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola, and Scotts Valley.
There are four incorporated cities in Santa Cruz County, each with their own local government, police, land use planning, public works and economic development departments. These cities are Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola, and Scotts Valley.
County of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County is atypical in California. About one-half of all residents reside in unincorporated areas of the County. The second-smallest county in California, Santa Cruz County is long and narrow with most of its borders either beaches or mountains; as a result, an uncommon proportion of the County is dedicated to parks and recreation. Agriculture has been a major industry in the County since its founding. Coupled with the County's nexus to Silicon Valley industries, a strong and growing visitor-serving sector, and the strength and continuing growth of the University of California Santa Cruz, the County continues to adjust the delicate balance of needs and values of local residents and local enterprises.
Key Offices and Contacts |
City Governments |
State Government and Agencies |
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Sheriff's Office
5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 831-454-7682 Santa Cruz County Fire Department Cal Fire/County Fire Headquarters 6059 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018 Phone: 831-335-5353 FOR EMERGENCIES PLEASE DIAL 911 Economic Development County of Santa Cruz 701 Ocean St, 5th Floor, Room 520 Santa Cruz, Ca 95060 831-454-2397 Direct Planning Department Phone: (831) 454-2580 Board of Supervisors 701 Ocean Street, Room 500 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: (831) 454-2200 Fax: (831) 454-3262 |
County of Santa Cruz
701 Ocean Street Room 210 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831)-454-2060 City of Santa Cruz 809 Center Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831)-420-5030 City of Capitola 420 Capitola Avenue Capitola, CA 95010 (831)-475-7300 City of Scotts Valley One Civic Center Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (831)-440-5602 City of Watsonville 250 Main Street Watsonville, CA 95076 (831)-768-3030 |
State of California Home Page
California State Assembly California Legislative Information Santa Cruz Superior Court Santa Cruz Courthouse: 701 Ocean Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Public Agency Risk Sharing Authority of California 1525 Response Rd, Ste. 1 Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone: (916)927-7727 Fax: (916)927-3075 League of California Cities 1400 K Street Suite 400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916)658-8200 Fax: (916) 658-8240 |
City of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is known for its moderate climate, natural environment, coastline, redwood forests, alternative community lifestyles, and socially liberal leanings. It is also home to the University of California, Santa Cruz, a premier research institution and educational hub, as well as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an oceanfront amusement park operating continuously since 1907.
Key Offices and Contacts
Police Department
155 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-420-5800
Public Lobby Hours:
Open Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Friday
Fire Department
230 Walnut Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-420-5280
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Closed Fridays
Economic Development
337 Locust St. Santa Cruz, CA
831.420.5150
Planning and Community Development
809 Center Street, Room 107
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Phone: 831-420-5100 • Fax: 831-420-5101
City Council
809 Center Street, Room 10
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-420-5020
Council Members
Second and Fourth Tuesday of Each Month
2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
155 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-420-5800
Public Lobby Hours:
Open Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Friday
Fire Department
230 Walnut Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-420-5280
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Closed Fridays
Economic Development
337 Locust St. Santa Cruz, CA
831.420.5150
Planning and Community Development
809 Center Street, Room 107
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Phone: 831-420-5100 • Fax: 831-420-5101
City Council
809 Center Street, Room 10
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-420-5020
Council Members
Second and Fourth Tuesday of Each Month
2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
City of Capitola
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The original settlement now known as Capitola grew out of what was then called Soquel Landing. Soquel Landing got its name from a wharf located at the mouth of Soquel Creek. This wharf, which dates back to the 1850s, served as an outlet for the produce and lumber grown in the interior. Capitola is known as the oldest beach resort on the West Coast.
Capitola is a popular tourist town because of its trendy shops and restaurants on the shore directly connecting to a fishing wharf and its large, sandy beach. |
Key Offices and Contacts
Police Department
422 Capitola Ave
Capitola, California 95010
(831) 475-4242
Fire Department
930 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone: (831) 479-6842 Fax: (831) 479-6847
Economic Development
420 Capitola Ave, Capitola CA 95010
Phone: (831) 475-7300
Fax: (831) 479-8879
Planning Department
Planning Commission
City Hall
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
City Council/Council Members
420 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010
Ph: 831.475-7300
Fax: 831.464-8659
422 Capitola Ave
Capitola, California 95010
(831) 475-4242
Fire Department
930 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone: (831) 479-6842 Fax: (831) 479-6847
Economic Development
420 Capitola Ave, Capitola CA 95010
Phone: (831) 475-7300
Fax: (831) 479-8879
Planning Department
Planning Commission
City Hall
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
City Council/Council Members
420 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010
Ph: 831.475-7300
Fax: 831.464-8659
City of Scotts Valley
From its early years as a stop on the stage route across the mountains, the Scotts Valley area has provided services to travelers. With the growing popularity of the automobile in the early 20th century, the area became commercialized and tourism developed as a local industry. Scotts Valley is named for John Scott, who discovered gold at Scott’s Bar. It is home to several parks, great places to eat, and a fun resting stop just outside of the city of Santa Cruz.
Key Offices and Contacts
Police Department
1 Civic Center Dr
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Emergency: 9-1-1
Business: 831-440-5670
Fire Department
Scotts Valley Fire Station 1
7 Erba Lane
Scotts Valley, Ca 95066
(831) 438-0211 Fax (831) 438-0383
Scotts Valley Fire Station 2
251 Glenwood Dr.
Scotts Valley, Ca 95066
(831) 438-0211 Fax (831) 438-0383
Planning Department
831-440-5630
FAX: 831-438-2793
City Council/Council Members
831-440-5602
First and Third Wednesday of each month
Meetings begin at 6:00 pm and are held in the City Council Chambers
1 Civic Center Dr
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Emergency: 9-1-1
Business: 831-440-5670
Fire Department
Scotts Valley Fire Station 1
7 Erba Lane
Scotts Valley, Ca 95066
(831) 438-0211 Fax (831) 438-0383
Scotts Valley Fire Station 2
251 Glenwood Dr.
Scotts Valley, Ca 95066
(831) 438-0211 Fax (831) 438-0383
Planning Department
831-440-5630
FAX: 831-438-2793
City Council/Council Members
831-440-5602
First and Third Wednesday of each month
Meetings begin at 6:00 pm and are held in the City Council Chambers
City of Watsonville
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host of other vegetables. Watsonville is home to people of varied ethnic backgrounds. There is a large Hispanic population, as well as groups of Croatians, Portuguese, Filipino, Caucasian, Sikhs, and Japanese that live and work in the city.
Key Offices and Contacts
Police Department
Emergency: 911
File a report: 831.471.1151
Police Records: 831.768.3370
Hours: M - F, 8 am - 5 pm
Fire Department
Emergency:911
Non-Emergency Calls: 831-471-1170
Administration: 831-768-3200
Economic Development
Community Development Department
250 Main Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-768-3050
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Planning Department
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday &:
7:30am - 4:00pm
831-768-3050
831-728-6154
City Council/Council Members
275 Main St., Suite 400 (4th Floor)
Watsonville, CA 95076
Emergency: 911
File a report: 831.471.1151
Police Records: 831.768.3370
Hours: M - F, 8 am - 5 pm
Fire Department
Emergency:911
Non-Emergency Calls: 831-471-1170
Administration: 831-768-3200
Economic Development
Community Development Department
250 Main Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-768-3050
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Planning Department
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday &:
7:30am - 4:00pm
831-768-3050
831-728-6154
City Council/Council Members
275 Main St., Suite 400 (4th Floor)
Watsonville, CA 95076