Comprehensive Summary of Properties in Unincorporated Santa Cruz County

This summary addresses the number of properties in Santa Cruz County's unincorporated areas, including detailed breakdowns by quantity, size, type of zoning, estimated value, and development potential and use. It also focuses on properties that either have an original Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) that has never been divided or where a single legal parcel has more than one APN. While the provided sources do not offer all the granular data requested, this response synthesizes the available information and identifies resources for further investigation.

General Overview of Properties

Santa Cruz County encompasses both incorporated and unincorporated areas. The unincorporated areas include regions such as the San Lorenzo Valley, the North Coast, Live Oak, and Aptos. These areas are subject to the county's zoning regulations and planning policies. The total number of parcels in Santa Cruz County is 103,133, with 77,374 classified as residential and 20,562 as "other," which includes properties in unincorporated areas. However, the exact number of properties specifically within the unincorporated areas is not explicitly broken down in the available sources. The median home value for the entire county is $922,558, but this figure includes both incorporated and unincorporated areas, and no specific median value is available for unincorporated areas alone.

Quantity and Type of Properties

While the total number of parcels in Santa Cruz County is known, the specific number of properties within the unincorporated areas is not directly provided in the available sources. The 103,133 total parcels include both residential and "other" types, with the "other" category encompassing a variety of land uses beyond residential. The sources do not provide a detailed breakdown of the types of properties (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural) within the unincorporated areas. To obtain this level of detail, one would need to consult the Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office directly or use their GIS tools to analyze parcel data.

Sizes and Zoning

Property sizes in Santa Cruz County vary significantly, particularly between urban and rural areas. The county's zoning regulations, detailed in Chapter 13.10 of the Santa Cruz County Code, dictate site and structural standards for each zone district. These standards include minimum parcel frontage and side widths, which vary depending on the zoning category and parcel size. For example, in R-1 zones, minimum parcel frontage and side widths range from 35 to 150 feet, depending on the specific zone and parcel size. Larger parcels, such as those between 1 and 5 acres, require a minimum side width of 100 feet, while parcels greater than 5 acres require a minimum side width of 150 feet. The county employs various residential zoning categories, including R-1-2.5 to R-1-15, RR, and RA, each with its own set of standards. The GISWeb system provides mapped land use information, which is essential for understanding the zoning designations of specific parcels. However, it is important to note that the accuracy of parcel maps, particularly in rural and burn areas, may vary, with urban parcels generally accurate within five to ten feet of their true geographic coordinates, and rural and CZU burn areas accurate to within three hundred feet.

Estimated Value

The median home value for Santa Cruz County is $922,558, but this figure includes both incorporated and unincorporated areas. There is no specific breakdown of median home values solely for unincorporated areas in the provided sources. The Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office provides assessed values and property tax information, but these are not aggregated by unincorporated area. To obtain estimated values specifically for unincorporated areas, one would need to access the Assessor's database and analyze individual parcel data. The Assessor's Office also provides information on property tax assessments, senior property tax savings, and Proposition 19-related changes, but these do not directly address the estimated value of properties in unincorporated areas.

Development Potential and Use

The 2023 Housing Report indicates that unincorporated Santa Cruz County aims to target 4,634 new homes by 2031, including 1,492 affordable units for people with very low incomes. This indicates significant development potential in these areas. Zoning changes have been approved to support the construction of mixed-use projects, which can include both market-rate and affordable housing units. Development potential and current use of properties can be inferred from zoning and land use data available through the GISWeb system. However, specific details on development potential or current use are not provided in the sources. The county's zoning regulations and site standards, as outlined in the zoning code, determine the development potential of individual properties. To obtain detailed information on development potential, one would need to consult the zoning code, contact zoning staff, or use the county's GIS tools.

Properties with Original APN or Multiple APNs

The sources do not provide specific data on properties that have an original APN that has never been divided or where a single legal parcel has more than one APN. The property records in Santa Cruz County, managed by the County Recorder, detail land ownership, sales, and transfers. However, the sources do not provide specific data on properties that have an original APN that has never been divided or where a single legal parcel has more than one APN. To obtain this information, one would need to access the Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office database and analyze individual parcel records. The Assessor's Office offers tools to search by parcel number, which could be used to identify such properties. The GISWeb system also provides tools for searching and selecting parcels, which could be used to identify properties with original APNs or multiple APNs on one legal parcel. However, the sources do not provide aggregated data on the number of such properties or their associated values.

Numerical Totals and Values

The following numerical totals and values are not directly provided in the sources, and would require further investigation using the resources outlined below:

• Total Properties in Unincorporated Areas: Not directly provided.
• Properties with Original APN Never Divided: Not directly provided.
• Properties with Multiple APNs on One Legal Parcel: Not directly provided.
• Assessed Value of Properties in Unincorporated Areas: Not directly provided.
• Value of Properties with Original APN Never Divided: Not directly provided.
• Value of Properties with Multiple APNs on One Legal Parcel: Not directly provided.

Recommendations for Further Research

To gather the requested data, consider the following steps:

1. Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office:
   • Contact the Assessor's Office directly at (831) 454-2002 or via email at asrwebmail@co.santa-cruz.ca.us.
   • Visit the Assessor's Office in person at 701 Ocean St., Rm. 130, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.
   • Request a custom report or dataset that includes the specific details you are looking for.
   • Access the Assessor's database online: Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office.
2. GIS Database Access:
   • Use the GIS Assessor's Database provided by the Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office to analyze parcels in unincorporated areas. This may allow for filtering by zoning type, parcel size, and other attributes.
   • Access the GISWeb system: Santa Cruz County GISWeb.
3. Request Custom Reports:
   • Submit a formal request to the Santa Cruz County Planning Department for a custom report summarizing property data by zoning type, size, and value, focusing on undivided APNs and parcels with multiple APNs.
   • Contact the Planning Department: Phone: (831) 454-2580, Email: Planning Department Contact.
4. Public Records Requests:
   • File a formal public records request under the California Public Records Act to obtain the specific data on property quantity, zoning, value, and development potential.
5. Consult Land Use and Zoning Maps:
   • Review Santa Cruz County's zoning and land use maps for insights into property classifications and development potential.
   • Santa Cruz County Zoning Information
6. OpenStreetMap Wiki:
   wiki.openstreetmap.org

   OpenStreetMap Wiki

Conclusion

The detailed breakdown of properties in Santa Cruz County's unincorporated areas, including those with undivided original APNs or multiple APNs, is not readily available in the online resources provided by the Assessor's Office. For precise and comprehensive data, direct engagement with the Assessor's Office and access to their GIS tools or custom reports will be necessary. The available sources provide a general overview of property data, zoning regulations, and development potential, but specific numerical totals and values for properties in unincorporated areas, particularly those with original APNs or multiple APNs on one legal parcel, require further investigation using the resources outlined above. The Santa Cruz County Assessor's Office, Planning Department, and GISWeb are the primary resources for obtaining the detailed information requested.