R&B Master Construction Inc. / Santa Cruz
Victorians on Walnut Avenue, early beach houses in Seabright, and coastal rules near the water.
The City's Historic Building Survey has documented Santa Cruz architecture from about 1850 onward, and many of those houses are still lived in. R&B Master Construction Inc. (CSLB #1158657), based at our San Jose headquarters, remodels kitchens and bathrooms, installs flooring, paints inside and out, renovates whole homes, builds additions and handles driveway projects in Santa Cruz. Design, drawings and City permits are part of every job.
Santa Cruz / Local guide
The City's walking-tour brochure describes Walnut Avenue as a street of "uninterrupted Victorian buildings" built between 1870 and 1938, forming the northern part of the Downtown Neighborhood National Register Historic District. Remodel note: exterior changes to a building in a historic district or on the City survey need a historic alteration permit. Interior kitchen and bath work does not.
Opened in 1871. The City says it was lined with "large fine houses" built by wealthy San Jose and Central Valley families, many as summer homes. Remodel note: large older houses often hide several generations of wiring and plumbing, so we open walls with that expectation.
The City's brochure says Beach Hill's buildings reflect the shift from shipping to railroad to automobile, from sea captain's cottages to mansions to bungalows. Remodel note: a single street can mix several eras and construction methods, so details are matched house by house.
According to Volume III of the Historic Building Survey, Seabright began in the mid-to-late 1880s as beachfront subdivisions between the San Lorenzo River and Woods Lagoon, grew into a resort community and was annexed into the City in 1905. The survey lists "prototypical beach houses" among its historic resources. Remodel note: lots near the beach can fall within coastal overlay districts (see below).
A National Register district that the City calls "the birthplace of Santa Cruz." Remodel note: historic review applies to exterior work on listed properties.
These describe Santa Cruz neighborhoods, not completed R&B projects.
Santa Cruz / Local guide
Santa Cruz's zoning code (Chapter 24.08, Part 3) sets out which projects in the coastal zone are exempt:
The zoning administrator decides which category a project falls in. We request that determination before design is final.
Santa Cruz / Services
Santa Cruz / Design & permits
Every R&B service in Santa Cruz covers design, construction drawings and permitting. Building permits come from the City of Santa Cruz Building & Safety Division, 809 Center Street, Room 101 (831-420-5110). Applications, revisions and resubmittals go through Access Santa Cruz, the City's online permitting portal, where you can also track status, schedule inspections and pay fees. Coastal and historic determinations come from Current Planning in the same building. Concrete work in the right-of-way goes through Public Works in Room 201. Our page on permits in Santa Cruz has the details.
Santa Cruz / Energy code
The City states that all new building permit applications must meet the 2025 California Building Standards Codes, in effect January 1, 2026. The 2025 Energy Code, part of that package, covers additions and alterations, favors heat pumps for heating and hot water, and tightens ventilation rules. In a Victorian or early beach house, the practical questions are where a heat-pump water heater fits, how duct runs get through old framing and whether a bath fan can vent cleanly. We answer those in the design phase.
Santa Cruz / Roofing
If your house is a designated landmark, on the Historic Building Survey or in a historic overlay district, a material change to the exterior needs a historic alteration permit, so we check with Current Planning before a roof material or profile changes. Roof permits are filed through Access Santa Cruz with the rest of the work.
Explore roof repair & replacementSanta Cruz / Driveways
Rebuilding a driveway on your property is private work. Coastal rules treat driveway paving outside the SP-O as an exempt improvement to a single-family home. Demolishing, building or repairing the driveway, sidewalk, curb or gutter in the public right-of-way needs a Public Works Concrete Permit. The City's listed requirements include a City business license if applicable, insurance with City endorsements, a detailed drawing of the work area, a traffic control plan, and an on-site inspection booked 24 hours ahead. Permits are applied for in person or by phone at 809 Center St, Room 201 (831-420-5160). Work along Highway 1 or 9 needs a Caltrans permit first.
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Every home is different. Let’s talk through the details of yours.
Interior remodeling is exempt from coastal permits under the City's zoning code, unless it intensifies the use or removes public-access or visitor-serving facilities. Additions are a separate question that depends on the SP-O overlay.
Yes. The City's code specifically excludes interior or exterior painting from the historic alteration permit requirement. Other exterior changes, such as windows, siding or additions, need one.
Through Access Santa Cruz, the City's online portal for applications, revisions, inspections and payments. R&B prepares and submits the drawings as part of every service.
A Public Works Concrete Permit for any driveway, sidewalk, curb or gutter work in the public right-of-way, with a traffic control plan and City inspection.
No. We serve Santa Cruz from our headquarters at 84 W Santa Clara St, Suite 700, San Jose.
Santa Cruz / Next step
Call (650) 800-9661, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM daily, or send a short enquiry. Your city and an idea of the project are enough to start.
Begin a conversation
You don’t need to have it all figured out. Tell us where you are with your project, and we can discuss the next step.
(650) 800-9661info@rbmasterconstruction.comDiscuss your Santa Cruz project. Availability is confirmed for your scope and schedule.