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← Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara CA ordinances

396 published ordinances from the Santa Clara City Code (Title 18, Zoning, July 2025 edition; partial), in publication order. Independent public-information project — not the official City of Santa Clara website.

  1. 18.02.010 — Title
  2. 18.02.020 — Purpose and Authority
  3. 18.02.030 — Applicability of Zoning Code
  4. 18.02.040 — Relationship to Prior Ordinances
  5. 18.02.050 — Relationship to General Plan
  6. 18.02.060 — Prior Rights and Violations
  7. 18.02.070 — Effect of Zoning Code Amendments on Projects in Progress
  8. 18.04.010 — Purpose
  9. 18.04.020 — Rules of Interpretation
  10. 18.04.030 — Procedures for Interpretation
  11. 18.04.040 — Uses Not Classified
  12. 18.04.050 — Measurement of Separation Requirements
  13. 18.04.060 — Headings and Illustrations
  14. 18.06.010 — Purpose
  15. 18.06.020 — Establishment of Zones
  16. 18.06.030 — Zoning Map
  17. 18.06.040 — Rights-of-Way and Vacated Boundary Lines
  18. 18.06.050 — Uncertainty of Boundaries
  19. 18.06.060 — Classification of Annexed Lands
  20. 18.10.010 — Purposes of Residential Zones
  21. 18.10.020 — Land Uses and Permit Requirements
  22. 18.10.030 — Residential Development Standards
  23. 18.10.040 — Other Applicable Regulations
  24. 18.12.010 — Purpose of Commercial Zones
  25. 18.12.020 — Commercial Land Uses and Permit Requirements
  26. 18.12.030 — Commercial Development Standards
  27. 18.12.040 — Other Applicable Regulations
  28. 18.14.010 — Purpose of Mixed Use Zones
  29. 18.14.020 — Mixed Use Land Uses and Permit Requirements
  30. 18.14.030 — Mixed Use Development Standards
  31. 18.14.040 — Other Applicable Regulations
  32. 18.16.010 — Purpose of Office and Industrial Zones
  33. 18.16.020 — Office and Industrial Land Uses and Permit Requirements
  34. 18.16.030 — Office and Industrial Development Standards
  35. 18.16.040 — Other Applicable Regulations
  36. 18.18.010 — Purpose of Special Purpose Zones
  37. 18.18.020 — Special Purpose Land Uses and Permit Requirements
  38. 18.18.030 — Special Purpose Development Standards
  39. 18.18.040 — Other Applicable Regulations
  40. 18.20.010 — Purpose of Planned Development Zones
  41. 18.20.020 — Planned Development Zone Land Uses and Permit Requirements
  42. 18.20.030 — Planned Development Zone Standards
  43. 18.22.010 — Application
  44. 18.22.020 — Intent
  45. 18.22.030 — Allowable Uses
  46. 18.22.040 — Development Standards
  47. 18.22.050 — Parking Requirements
  48. 18.22.060 — Additional Development Standards
  49. 18.24.010 — Purpose
  50. 18.24.020 — Applicability
  51. 18.24.030 — Construction of multiple units in single-family zones
  52. 18.24.040 — Development Standards applicable to all lots with two units
  53. 18.24.050 — Development Standards within R-1 building envelope
  54. 18.24.060 — Development Standards outside R-1 building envelope
  55. 18.24.070 — Urban Lot Splits
  56. 18.24.080 — Accessory Dwelling Units
  57. 18.24.090 — Definitions
  58. 1.1 — Introduction
  59. 1.2 — Applicability
  60. 1.3 — Rules of Construction
  61. 1.4 — Architectural Review
  62. 1.5 — Public Notice
  63. 1.6 — Director Interpretations
  64. 1.7 — Deviation from
  65. 2.1 — A New Code for Downtown Santa Clara
  66. 3.1 — Summary of Regulating Topics
  67. 4.1 — The Downtown Zone
  68. 4.2 — Character Overlays
  69. 5.1 — Intent
  70. 5.2 — Applicability
  71. 5.3 — Standards
  72. 6.1 — Intent
  73. 6.2 — Applicability
  74. 6.3 — Standards
  75. 7.1 — Intent
  76. 7.2 — Applicability
  77. 7.3 — Standards
  78. 8.1 — Intent and Applicability
  79. 8.2 — Standards
  80. 9.1 — Intent
  81. 9.2 — Applicability
  82. 9.3 — General Standards
  83. 9.4 — Standards by Frontage Type
  84. 10.1 — Intent
  85. 10.2 — Applicability
  86. 10.3 — General Standards
  87. 10.4 — Standards &
  88. 11.1 — Intent and Applicability
  89. 11.2 — General Standards
  90. 11.3 — Standards & Guidelines by Type
  91. 12.1 — Building Use
  92. 12.2 — Specified Use Definitions
  93. 12.3 — CUP Conditions
  94. 12.4 — Parking Requirements
  95. 12.5 — Parking Design Standards
  96. 13.1 — Introduction
  97. 13.2 — Specific to Waste and Utility Placement
  98. 13.3 — Specific to Site Walls
  99. 13.4 — Specific to Lighting
  100. 13.5 — On-Site Open Space
  101. 13.6 — Elevating a Place with Art
  102. Downtown Form-Based Code Chapter 14 — Glossary
  103. 18.30.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  104. 18.30.020 — Permitted Projections into Required Setback Areas
  105. 18.30.030 — Visibility Clearance Areas
  106. 18.30.040 — Height Measurement and Exceptions
  107. 18.30.050 — Setbacks - Measurement and Requirements
  108. 18.30.060 — Solid Waste and Recycling Enclosures and Storage Areas
  109. 18.30.070 — Basements
  110. 18.32.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  111. 18.32.020 — Permit Requirements
  112. 18.32.030 — Development Standards
  113. 18.34.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  114. 18.34.020 — Permit Requirements and Exemptions
  115. 18.34.030 — Measurement of Fence, Wall, Hedge, and Screen
  116. 18.34.040 — Maximum Heights
  117. 18.34.050 — Additional Requirements by Land Use Type
  118. 18.34.060 — Materials and Maintenance
  119. 18.36.010 — Purpose
  120. 18.36.020 — Applicability
  121. 18.36.030 — Landscape and Irrigation Plans
  122. 18.36.040 — Landscape and Irrigation Plan Review Process
  123. 18.36.050 — General Landscape Standards
  124. 18.36.060 — Special Landscape Requirements
  125. 18.36.070 — Additional Requirements for Residential Zones
  126. 18.36.080 — Removal and Replacement of Required Landscaping
  127. 18.36.100 — Water-Efficient Landscaping
  128. 18.38.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  129. 18.38.020 — Permit Requirements and Exemptions
  130. 18.38.030 — Off-Street Vehicle Parking Requirements
  131. 18.38.040 — Exceptions and Reductions to Parking Requirements
  132. 18.38.050 — Bicycle Parking Requirements
  133. 18.38.060 — General Parking Standards
  134. 18.38.070 — Off-Street Loading
  135. 18.38.080 — Maintenance
  136. 18.38.090 — Valet Parking
  137. 18.38.100 — Recreational Vehicle Parking in Residential Zones
  138. 18.38.110 — Off-Site Designated Parking: Alternate Parking Location
  139. 18.40.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  140. 18.40.020 — Compliance
  141. 18.40.030 — Air Emissions
  142. 18.40.040 — Dust
  143. 18.40.050 — Hazardous Materials
  144. 18.40.060 — Noise and Vibration
  145. 18.40.070 — Odor
  146. 18.40.080 — Outdoor Lighting
  147. 18.40.090 — Heat, Electrical Disturbance, and Glare
  148. 18.40.100 — Wastewater
  149. 18.42.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  150. 18.42.020 — Effect of Chapter
  151. 18.42.030 — Definitions
  152. 18.42.040 — Sign Permit Required
  153. 18.42.050 — Comprehensive Sign Program
  154. 18.42.060 — Application and Review of Sign Permits
  155. 18.42.070 — Exempt Signs
  156. 18.42.080 — Prohibited Signs
  157. 18.42.090 — Billboards
  158. 18.42.100 — Temporary Signs
  159. 18.42.110 — Standards for Signs Requiring a Sign Permit
  160. 18.42.120 — Standards for Specific Sign Types
  161. 18.42.130 — Iconic Signs
  162. 18.42.140 — Electronic Digital Display Message Signs
  163. 18.42.150 — Signs in Residential Zones
  164. 18.42.160 — Signs in Commercial and Mixed-Use Zones
  165. 18.42.170 — Signs in Office and Industrial Zones
  166. 18.42.180 — Sign Construction and Maintenance
  167. 18.42.190 — Removal of Unlawful, Unsafe, and Unauthorized Signs
  168. 18.42.200 — Nonconforming Signs
  169. 18.42.210 — Revocation of Sign Permits
  170. 18.60.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  171. 18.60.020 — Accessory Dwelling Units
  172. 18.60.030 — Accessory Uses
  173. 18.60.040 — Alcoholic Beverage Sales and Service
  174. 18.60.050 — Bed and Breakfast Inns
  175. 18.60.060 — Caretaker Housing
  176. 18.60.070 — Child Day Care Facilities
  177. 18.60.080 — Assisted Living Facilities / Congregate Care
  178. 18.60.090 — Data Centers
  179. 18.60.100 — Drive-in/Drive-Through Establishments
  180. 18.60.110 — Emergency Shelters
  181. 18.60.120 — Home Occupations
  182. 18.60.130 — Live-Work Facilities
  183. 18.60.140 — Outdoor Dining and Seating
  184. 18.60.150 — Outdoor Displays and Sales
  185. 18.60.160 — Outdoor Storage
  186. 18.60.170 — Personal Services, Restricted
  187. 18.60.180 — Recycling Facilities
  188. 18.60.200 — Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Facilities
  189. 18.60.210 — Vehicle Sales Facilities
  190. 18.60.220 — Vehicle Service Stations
  191. 18.60.230 — Massage Establishments
  192. 18.60.240 — Certified Farmers' Markets
  193. 18.60.250 — Short-Term Rentals of Residential Property
  194. 18.60.260 — Electric Power Plants
  195. 18.60.270 — Developments Located Within the Airport Influence Area
  196. 18.60.280 — Mobile Food Vendors
  197. 18.62.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  198. 18.62.020 — Location of Adult-Oriented Business Uses
  199. 18.64.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  200. 18.64.020 — Eligibility for Bonus, Incentives, or Concessions
  201. 18.64.030 — Allowed Density Bonuses
  202. 18.64.040 — Allowed Incentives or Concessions
  203. 18.64.050 — Parking Requirements in Density Bonus Projects
  204. 18.64.060 — Bonus and Incentives for Development with Childcare Facilities
  205. 18.64.070 — Continued Availability
  206. 18.64.080 — Location and Type of Affordable Dwelling Units
  207. 18.64.090 — Processing of Bonus Requests
  208. 18.64.100 — Density Bonus Agreements
  209. 18.64.110 — Controls of Resale
  210. 18.64.120 — Waiver of Standards
  211. 18.64.130 — Mixed Use Density Bonuses
  212. 18.64.140 — Parking relief for 100% affordable projects
  213. 18.66.010 — Purpose and Applicability
  214. 18.66.020 — Definitions
  215. 18.66.030 — Exemptions from Discretionary Permits
  216. 18.66.040 — Permits Required
  217. 18.66.050 — Application Requirements
  218. 18.66.060 — Location Requirements
  219. 18.66.070 — Facility Design and Developmental Standards
  220. 18.66.080 — Operation and Maintenance Standards
  221. 18.66.090 — Discontinuance and Site Restoration
  222. 18.90.010 — Purpose, Intent, and Definitions
  223. 18.90.020 — Establishment and Proof of Legal Nonconforming Status
  224. 18.90.030 — Existing Structures and Uses
  225. 18.90.040 — Customary Maintenance and Repair
  226. 18.90.050 — Modification and Expansion
  227. 18.90.060 — Nonconforming Minor Use Permit Procedures
  228. 18.92.010 — Continuation of Legal Nonconforming Structures
  229. 18.92.020 — Destroyed or Deteriorated Non-Residential Structures
  230. 18.92.030 — Destroyed or Deteriorated Residential Structures
  231. 18.92.040 — Allowed Improvements and Expansions of Nonconforming Structures
  232. 18.92.050 — Repair and Alteration of Nonconforming Structures
  233. 18.94.010 — Continuation of Legal Nonconforming Uses
  234. 18.94.020 — Effect of Conditional Use/Minor Use Permit Requirements
  235. 18.94.030 — Expansion or Modification of Legal Nonconforming Uses
  236. 18.94.040 — Discontinuance of Legal Nonconforming Uses
  237. 18.96.010 — Use of Legal Nonconforming Parcels
  238. 18.96.020 — Subdivision of Legal Nonconforming Parcels
  239. 18.98.010 — Nonconformities Regarding Landscaping
  240. 18.98.020 — Nonconformities Regarding Off-Street Parking and Loading
  241. 18.98.030 — Nonconformities Regarding Signs
  242. 18.110.010 — Purpose
  243. 18.110.020 — Discretionary Permits and Actions
  244. 18.110.030 — Additional Permits May Be Required
  245. 18.112.010 — Purpose
  246. 18.112.020 — Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions
  247. 18.112.030 — Application Preparation and Filing
  248. 18.112.040 — Application and Other Related Fees
  249. 18.112.050 — Applicant Indemnification
  250. 18.112.060 — Initial Review of Application
  251. 18.114.010 — Purpose
  252. 18.114.020 — Applicability
  253. 18.114.030 — Application Filing, Processing, and Review
  254. 18.114.040 — Project Review, Notice, and Hearing
  255. 18.114.050 — Findings and Decision
  256. 18.114.060 — Conditions of Approval
  257. 18.114.070 — Permit to Run with the Land
  258. 18.114.080 — Post-Decision Procedures
  259. 18.116.010 — Purpose
  260. 18.116.020 — Intent
  261. 18.116.030 — Administrative Off-Site Parking Permit Required
  262. 18.116.040 — Procedure for Granting Off-Site Parking Permits
  263. 18.116.050 — Conditions of Approval
  264. 18.116.060 — Appeals
  265. 18.116.070 — Off-Site Parking Permit Requirements
  266. 18.116.080 — Post-Decision Procedures
  267. 18.118.010 — Purpose
  268. 18.118.020 — Applicability
  269. 18.118.030 — Application Filing, Processing, and Review
  270. 18.118.040 — Review Authority
  271. 18.118.050 — Review Procedures
  272. 18.118.060 — Findings and Decision
  273. 18.118.070 — Rescission of Approval of Reasonable Accommodation
  274. 18.118.080 — Information identified as confidential.
  275. 18.118.090 — Deemed Granted
  276. 18.118.100 — Post-Decision Procedures
  277. 18.120.010 — Intent
  278. 18.120.020 — Architectural Review Process
  279. 18.120.030 — Minor Changes by Director
  280. 18.120.040 — Post-Decision Procedures
  281. 18.122.010 — Purpose
  282. 18.122.020 — Definition
  283. 18.122.030 — Applicability
  284. 18.122.040 — Exempt Temporary Uses
  285. 18.122.050 — Allowed Temporary Uses
  286. 18.122.060 — 18.122.060 Application Filing, Processing, and Review
  287. 18.122.070 — Director's Review
  288. 18.122.080 — Findings and Decision
  289. 18.122.090 — Conditions of Approval
  290. 18.122.100 — Condition of Site Following Temporary Use
  291. 18.122.110 — Post-Decision Procedures
  292. 18.124.010 — Purpose
  293. 18.124.020 — Applicability
  294. 18.124.030 — Application Filing and Processing
  295. 18.124.040 — Project Review, Notice, and Review
  296. 18.124.050 — Findings and Decision
  297. 18.124.060 — Denial of Minor Modification
  298. 18.124.070 — Precedence
  299. 18.124.080 — Conditions of Approval
  300. 18.124.090 — Post-Decision Procedures
  301. 18.126.010 — Purpose
  302. 18.126.020 — Applicability
  303. 18.126.030 — Review Procedures
  304. 18.126.040 — Post-Decision Procedures
  305. 18.128.010 — Purpose
  306. 18.128.020 — Conformance to Approved Plans
  307. 18.128.030 — Effective Dates of Permits
  308. 18.128.040 — Approvals Under the Permit Streamlining Act
  309. 18.128.050 — Performance Guarantees
  310. 18.128.060 — Expiration
  311. 18.128.070 — Time Extensions
  312. 18.128.080 — Changes to an Approved Project
  313. 18.128.090 — Resubmittals
  314. 18.128.100 — Condition Compliance Required
  315. 18.130.010 — Purpose
  316. 18.130.020 — Intent
  317. 18.130.030 — Identification of HRI Properties
  318. 18.130.040 — HRI Property Designation
  319. 18.130.050 — Property Alteration
  320. 18.130.060 — Demolition Permits
  321. 18.130.070 — HLC Referral for Projects Near HRI Properties
  322. 18.130.080 — Unsafe or Dangerous Conditions
  323. 18.140.010 — Purpose
  324. 18.140.020 — Planning Agency
  325. 18.140.030 — City Council
  326. 18.140.040 — Planning Commission
  327. 18.140.050 — Community Development Director
  328. 18.142.010 — Purpose
  329. 18.142.020 — Initiation of Amendment
  330. 18.142.030 — Project Review, Notice, and Hearing
  331. 18.142.040 — Planning Commission Action on Amendments
  332. 18.142.050 — Council Action on Amendments
  333. 18.142.060 — Effective Dates
  334. 18.144.010 — Purpose
  335. 18.144.020 — Appeal Subjects and Jurisdiction
  336. 18.144.030 — Filing and Processing of Appeals
  337. 18.144.040 — Calls for Review
  338. 18.146.010 — 18.146.010
  339. 18.146.020 — Notice of Hearing
  340. 18.146.030 — Hearing Procedure
  341. 18.146.040 — Recommendation by Planning Commission
  342. 18.146.050 — Decision and Notice
  343. 18.146.060 — Effective Date of Decision
  344. 18.148.010 — Purpose
  345. 18.148.020 — Intent
  346. 18.148.030 — Applicability
  347. 18.148.040 — Minimum Project Area
  348. 18.148.050 — Initiation of Specific Plan
  349. 18.148.060 — Project Review, Notice, and Hearing
  350. 18.148.070 — Adoption of Specific Plan
  351. 18.148.080 — Amendment of Specific Plans
  352. 18.150.010 — Purpose
  353. 18.150.020 — Modifications
  354. 18.150.030 — Revocations
  355. 18.150.040 — Findings to Modify or Revoke
  356. 18.150.050 — Hearing and Notice Required
  357. 18.152.010 — Purpose
  358. 18.152.020 — Permits and Approvals
  359. 18.152.030 — Enforcement Responsibility
  360. 18.152.040 — Inspections
  361. 18.152.050 — Initial Enforcement Action
  362. 18.152.060 — Recording Notice of Violation
  363. 18.152.070 — Violations
  364. 18.152.080 — Legal Remedies
  365. 18.152.090 — Remedies Are Cumulative
  366. 18.152.100 — Recovery of Costs
  367. 18.152.110 — 18.152.110 Additional Permit Fees
  368. 18.152.120 — Reinspection Fees
  369. 18.152.130 — Limitation of Actions Challenging Certain Decisions
  370. 18.152.140 — Conclusive Notice
  371. 18.160.010 — "A" Definitions
  372. 18.160.020 — "B" Definitions
  373. 18.160.030 — "C" Definitions
  374. 18.160.040 — "D" Definitions
  375. 18.160.050 — "E" Definitions
  376. 18.160.060 — "F" Definitions
  377. 18.160.070 — "G" Definitions
  378. 18.160.080 — "H" Definitions
  379. 18.160.090 — "I" Definitions
  380. 18.160.100 — "J" Definitions
  381. 18.160.110 — "K" Definitions
  382. 18.160.120 — "L" Definitions
  383. 18.160.130 — "M" Definitions
  384. 18.160.140 — "N" Definitions
  385. 18.160.150 — "O" Definitions
  386. 18.160.160 — "P" Definitions
  387. 18.160.170 — "Q" Definitions
  388. 18.160.180 — "R" Definitions
  389. 18.160.190 — "S" Definitions
  390. 18.160.200 — "T" Definitions
  391. 18.160.210 — "U" Definitions
  392. 18.160.220 — "V" Definitions
  393. 18.160.230 — "W" Definitions
  394. 18.160.240 — "X" Definitions
  395. 18.160.250 — "Y" Definitions
  396. 18.160.260 — "Z" Definitions