Allowed Temporary Uses

Santa Clara City Code § 18.122.050

in effect

The following temporary uses are allowed on private property, subject to the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit, and only when conducted in compliance with the specified time limits and Section 18.124.090 (Conditions of Approval), below. A Temporary Use Permit shall not be issued if another temporary use has occurred on the subject property within the previous 30 (whether by the same applicant or otherwise). A. Contractors’ Construction Sites – Off-Site. The temporary use of a site for an off-site contractor’s construction, staging, or storage area(s). The permit may be effective for up to 180 days and extended in 180-day increments, with Director approval, or the expiration of the companion Building Permit, authorizing the construction project, whichever first occurs. B. Special Events. 1. Amusement rides, arts and crafts exhibits, auctions, carnivals, circuses, concerts, fairs, festivals, flea markets, food markets/events, outdoor entertainment/festivals/sporting events, petting zoos, religious revivals, rodeos, rummage sales (not garage or yard sales), tent camps, and swap meets limited to six consecutive days or less within any 30-day period, or six two-day weekends, within a 12-month period. When an annual plan is submitted to and approved by the Director, the frequency and duration of these special events may be extended. 2. Outdoor display and sale events conducted by a retail business, including auto dealerships, holding a valid Business License, issued in compliance with SCCC Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations), may be allowed a maximum of six outdoor sale events (excluding City-sponsored activities). For purposes of this Subsection, an outdoor sale event shall be no longer than seven consecutive days in duration. When an annual plan is submitted to and approved by the Director, the frequency and duration of these special events may be extended. 3. Outdoor meetings and group activities/assemblies for two or less seven consecutive day events, within a 12-month period. 4. Seasonal sales (i.e., Halloween pumpkin sales and Christmas tree sale lots) in compliance with SCCC Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations) provided, the length of the activity may not exceed 45 days in any 365-day period. 5. Car washes, limited to one event each month for each site, not exceeding three days in length, and prohibited within the residential zones. Sponsorship shall be limited to charitable, educational, fraternal, religious, schools, or service organizations directly engaged in civic or charitable efforts, or to tax exempt organizations in compliance with 501(c) of the Federal Revenue and Taxation Code. C. Temporary Residential Real Estate Sales Offices. One temporary real estate office may be located in any approved residential subdivision located within any residential or mixed-use zone in the City. 1. The temporary real estate office shall be used only for the sale of residential or commercial property located within the subdivision in which the office is located. 2. The temporary real estate office shall be removed at the end of two years following the date of the recording of the final map of the subject subdivision in which the Office is located. 3. If any parcels within the subdivision have not been sold at the end of the original two-year period, the Director may approve extensions for the continuation of the real estate office on a month-to-month basis. D. Temporary Structures. A temporary classroom, office, or similar portable structure, including a manufactured or mobile unit, may be approved, for a maximum period of 12 months, as an accessory use or as the first phase of a development project, on sites located within the commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zones of the City. E. Temporary Work Trailers. A permit for temporary work trailer(s) may be approved by the Director for up to 12 months, as a temporary work site for employees of a business: 1. During construction or remodeling of a permanent commercial, industrial, or mixed-use structure, when a valid Building Permit is in force; or 2. Upon demonstration by the applicant that the temporary work site is a short-term necessity, while a permanent work site is being obtained. F. Other Similar Temporary Uses. Similar temporary uses that, in the opinion of the Director, are compatible with the subject zone and surrounding land uses. G. Temporary Uses Needing Additional Days to Operate. Applications for temporary uses (other than the uses specified in Subparagraph B., above that are proposed to last more than six days (but not more than 45 days) or those proposed for a period of more than 15 consecutive days shall require the approval by the Director of a Minor Use Permit in compliance with Chapter 18.114.

Source: City of Santa Clara Zoning Code (santaclaraca.gov PDF)URL: https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/zoningFetched: 10/24/2026