Santa Cruz County · Climate Zone 3

MEP Plans in Scotts Valley, CA

Permit-ready mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans for ADUs, garage conversions, additions and single-family homes in Scotts Valley, prepared for plan check at the City of Scotts Valley building department, with Title 24 available in the same order.

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Scotts Valley project facts we design around

CountySanta Cruz County
Title 24 climate zoneClimate Zone 3, confirmed by ZIP for every project
Electric utility (most addresses)Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)
Permit reviewThe City of Scotts Valley building department
ADU permits issued, 2021–202535 (#326 of 450 cities)
ADU approval timelineApprove or deny within 60 days of a complete application (state law)

ADU building activity in Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley issued 35 ADU building permits from 2021 through 2025, the 326th most among the 450 California cities that reported ADU permits. Permits went from 6 in 2021 to 9 in 2025.

20212022202320242025
611369

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, Annual Progress Report data (ADU building permits by year).

Title 24 in Climate Zone 3

  • Windows: U-factor 0.27 or lower (no SHGC limit in this zone), with total window area up to 20% of floor area.
  • Solar PV sized by the CEC formula kW = (floor area x 0.628) / 1000 + 1.12; no PV is required if that is under 1.8 kWdc, which for a single ADU works out to about 1,083 sq ft or smaller.

Climate Zone 3 requirements in full →

HVAC design for Scotts Valley

The California Energy Commission's design-day data for Scotts Valley gives the outdoor conditions a Manual J load calculation uses: a summer design temperature of 86°F and a winter design temperature of 27°F.

Summer design (1%)86°F dry bulb / 66°F wet bulb
Winter design (median of extremes)27°F
Daily temperature range28°F
Elevation400 ft
Heating degree days1,097

Both seasons matter here. The heat pump is usually sized for the 86°F cooling condition and then checked to confirm it still covers the heating load at 27°F.

Electrical service from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)

If the load calculation shows you need a service upgrade, a second meter or a relocated service, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) handles that through its Your Projects portal, separately from the building permit.

ADU electrical service with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) →

Plumbing and sewer

The plumbing plan shows the route, slope and cleanouts of the connection to the existing sewer lateral.

Pricing is flat statewide: ADU plans from $995, full ADU MEP package from $2,295, Title 24 add-on $240. See what's in a complete ADU MEP set.

Nearby places compared

PlaceClimate zoneElectric utilityADU permits 2021–25
Santa CruzCZ 3Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)446
WatsonvilleCZ 3Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)196
CapitolaCZ 3Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)81
Aptos (unincorp.)CZ 3Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)71
Soquel (unincorp.)CZ 3Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)20
Felton (unincorp.)CZ 3Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)6

Santa Cruz County → · All California cities and communities →

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General guidance, not legal advice. Climate zone and utility are shown for most addresses in Scotts Valley; requirements vary by project. Confirm with the City of Scotts Valley building department.