Empty Storefront Registration (Vibrancy Ordinance)
The Santa Cruz City Council Adopted the Vibrancy Ordinance at the May 13, 2025 City Council Meeting. The Vibrancy Ordinance creates maintenance standards that apply to all empty storefronts on Pacific Avenue and requires property owners with empty storefronts that have been vacant for 2 years or longer to register the empty storefront with Planning, with exceptions for properties with active permit applications or participation in the City’s Downtown Pops! Program.
What is required to register
Owners of applicable vacant storefronts exceeding 2 years will be required to submit the following: contact information for the owner and the local property owner responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the empty storefront, a property maintenance plan, a description of the most recent legal use of the empty storefront, the square footage of the property, any future plans for the property, along with a registration fee ($1,621.90) to cover staff costs associated with processing the registration and administering the ordinance as it relates to the property.
Exemptions
A storefront would not be required to register if the property is actively participating in the City’s Downtown Pops! Program or similar City program that provides owners with the option of leasing, or granting use of the space on a pop-up, or temporary basis. The ordinance also features an exemption from registration for up to two additional years if the storefront is actively involved in a City-required permitting process or is actively under construction for repair or tenant improvements.
Storefront Installations
The ordinance also requires property owners to install, or allow for the installation of, either:
(1) decorative vinyl window coverings (also known as window clings), to be approved by the City or selected by the owner from pre-approved City designs, or
(2) window displays of curated art pieces to be approved by the City, DTA and/or arts organizations.
The installation of City approved window coverings for the first year of the program through June 12, 2026 for all vacant storefronts on Pacific Avenue will be covered by the City. The City will provide a set of themed and City branded designs for property owners to choose from and the clings will need to be printed and installed in the vacant storefront windows. With City approval, property owners could also install “coming soon”, “available for lease”, or similar window coverings that meet the goals of installing graphically designed full scale window coverings.
Vibrancy Ordinance Program Details
The purpose of the ordinance is to address the impacts of empty storefronts on the economic vitality of the community. Additionally, empty storefronts are an increased draw on city resources to respond to graffiti abatement, police response for vandalism and squatting; debris removal, sidewalk cleaning, and power waste.
Maintenance Requirements for Storefronts
The Vibrancy Ordinance has established maintenance requirements for storefronts. Maintenance requirements for empty storefronts include requirements such as: posting the name and contact phone number of the property manager, keep storefronts free from trash and graffiti, and keep storefronts secure so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons. See Chapter 5.84 ("Vibrancy Ordinance") for more details.
Registration of Storefronts & Application Process
The owner of an empty storefront, within two years after it has become empty, must register the property with the City unless the property is actively participating in the City's Downtown Pops! Program OR similar City program, OR if the storefront is involved in a City-required permitting process OR is actively under construction for repair.
Registration requires coordination with Planning and Community Development. Once registered, registration must remain active with the City. Below is an outline on how to register a storefront:
1. Complete registration application(PDF, 264KB) (also see below for registration application).
2. Submit Property Maintenance Plan(s) with the goal to reach compliance.
3. Submit documentation showing a local property manager has been retained.
4. Submit description of the most recent use of the empty storefront and details such as square footage of the property, and any future plans of the property.
5. Pay the registration fee and submit any other information required by the Planning and Community Development Department.
Vibrancy Registration Application
Applications are accepted in-person or electronically by email. For questions and assistance, please contact Sarah Domondon at 831-420-5315 or by email at sdomondon@santacruzca.gov.
How to Submit a Complaint
Do you need to submit a complaint?
Please complete the Complaint form online, in person, or by mail at 809 Center Street, Room 101, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For further assistance or questions, please call Planning and Community Development at 831-420-5110 or email codecompliance@santacruzca.gov.
You may request Code Enforcement service if you suspect a violation on private property. Your contact information is required so we may connect with you regarding the status of the investigation. Your identity is kept confidential by Code Enforcement staff to the maximum extent allowed by law; we are unable to take anonymous complaints. We will need a detailed description of the concern and will provide information and referrals as available if the issue does not fall within the scope of code enforcement. Additional information about code enforcement services can be found at the code compliance website.
Vibrancy Ordinance - FAQs
This Q&A is in progress and will be posted once completed.
Contact
For registration and questions:
Sarah Domondon
Business Liaison, Economic Development
sdomondon@santacruzca.gov
(831) 420-5315
For complaints and code enforcement:
Planning & Community Development
809 Center Street, Room 101
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 420-5111
codecompliance@santacruzca.gov