About

NoOverlayDistrict.org is a gathering point and source of facts and information about housing issues and development in the City of Santa Cruz. We created this website in direct response to a Planning Department proposal to create a new zoning overlay district in Santa Cruz, giving Planning staff sole authority to approve one hundred percent affordable housing developments, without public hearings or City Council oversight.

Following questions raised by the Planning Commission and the public, the Santa Cruz City Council removed the “Overlay District” discussion from their January 27, 2026, agenda. The Council announced it will continue the item to a future date, not yet declared.

We invite you to sign a petition opposing the Overlay District, joining others who began signing petitions in January 2026.

We launched the NoOverlayDistrict.org website in February 2026 to support opposition to the Overlay District. This is an all-volunteer grassroots effort.

You can read and sign the petition by clicking on the following link: Change.org/SantaCruzOverlayDistrict