Unincorporated Santa Cruz County · Climate Zone 3

MEP Plans in Soquel, CA

Permit-ready mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans for ADUs, garage conversions, additions and single-family homes in Soquel (unincorporated Santa Cruz County), prepared for plan check at Santa Cruz County Community Development & Infrastructure (CDI) – Building Permits & Safety, with Title 24 available in the same order.

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Soquel project facts we design around

CountySanta Cruz County (unincorporated)
Title 24 climate zoneClimate Zone 3, confirmed by ZIP for every project
Electric utility (most addresses)Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)
Permits issued bySanta Cruz County Community Development & Infrastructure (CDI) – Building Permits & Safety
ADU permits issued, 2021–202520
ADU approval timelineApprove or deny within 60 days of a complete application (state law)

ADU building activity in Soquel

Santa Cruz County issued 20 ADU building permits from 2021 through 2025 for addresses in Soquel, based on the county's reports to the state. Permits went from 4 in 2021 to 2 in 2025.

20212022202320242025
41762

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 Soquel

The California Energy Commission's design-day data for Soquel 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 / 65°F wet bulb
Winter design (median of extremes)27°F
Daily temperature range24°F
Elevation50 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 or septic system.

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
Scotts ValleyCZ 3Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)35
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 Soquel; requirements vary by project. Confirm with Santa Cruz County Community Development & Infrastructure (CDI) – Building Permits & Safety.