Santa Cruz, CA · Santa Cruz County
Owner-Builder Advisory & Affidavit
An affidavit property owners sign when pulling their own building permit as an Owner-Builder rather than hiring a licensed contractor.
- California-licensed notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
Required under Health and Safety Code Section 19827, this Owner-Builder Advisory & Affidavit informs property owners of the risks of self-permitting construction work and has them affirm their Owner-Builder status. The City of Santa Cruz requires the affidavit signature to be notarized before it will issue the permit.
Who needs it
Santa Cruz property owners who plan to perform, manage, or employ workers for construction on their own property without a licensed general contractor.
Why it needs a notary
The affidavit includes a California notary acknowledgment block and notary-related fields, and the form is designed to be signed in front of a notary before permit issuance.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Form
Get the Owner-Builder Advisory & Affidavit from the City of Santa Cruz Building & Safety Division.
- 2
Read the Advisory
Review the Owner-Builder risk categories and confirm which type applies to your project.
- 3
Fill In the Affidavit
Complete the owner information and affidavit statement fields.
- 4
Book an Online Notary
Schedule a remote online notarization session at Rush Notary.
- 5
Sign on Video
Verify your identity and sign the affidavit in front of the notary on camera.
- 6
Submit to the City
Include the notarized affidavit with your owner-builder permit application.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Santa Cruz. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed California online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get my Owner-Builder Affidavit notarized online?
- Upload the completed affidavit, join a video session with a licensed online notary, verify your ID, and sign electronically.
- Do I need this affidavit notarized to pull an owner-builder permit?
- Yes, the City of Santa Cruz requires the Owner-Builder Advisory & Affidavit signature to be notarized as part of Health and Safety Code Section 19827 disclosures.
- Why does California require this affidavit for owner-builders?
- State law requires the disclosure to protect property owners from fraud, licensing gaps, and financial risk when they self-permit construction work.
- Is remote online notarization accepted for city permit affidavits?
- Many cities accept notarial acts from other-state commissioned online notaries under Civil Code 1189(b); check with the city if unsure.
- What should I bring to the video notary appointment?
- A government-issued photo ID and the completed, unsigned affidavit ready to sign during the session.