§ 18.02.050 — Relationship to General Plan

A. Zoning Code is the Primary Tool. This Zoning Code is the primary tool used by the City to implement the goals, policies, and actions of the General Plan and any applicable specific plan. 1. General Plan. The General Plan is a comprehensive, long-range, general policy statement for the entire community. The General Plan designates appropriate locations and densities for residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial, public, and open space uses. 2. Zoning Code. This Zoning Code is a specific statement of allowable uses of land and related development standards by zone designed to control the use, type, bulk, height, space, and location of structures and land. This Zoning Code is intended to be applied to the City based on land use designations established in the General Plan. B. General Plan Consistency. 1. Recognizing and honoring Santa Clara’s rights and authority as a charter city, the Council intends that this Zoning Code be consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan, and that any development, land use, or subdivision approved in compliance with this Zoning Code shall also be consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan. 2. In setting this goal, the City does not waive its charter city exemption to Government Code Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 3 under Government Code Section 65700. C. Where Inconsistencies Exist. Where inconsistencies are found to exist between the General Plan and this Zoning Code, the Zoning Code shall control the use and development of the land until the Council adopts an amendment to achieve consistency with the existing or current General Plan. In the case of inconsistencies between density ranges in the Zoning Code and General Plan, the greater density range prevails.