Purpose and Applicability
Santa Clara City Code § 18.32.010
in effectA. Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to provide development standards for detached non-habitable residential accessory structures. The purpose of this Chapter is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by maintaining safe distances between structures, establishing architectural compatibility between primary and residential accessory structures, and minimizing potential impacts associated with lot coverage, privacy, and maintenance of light and air space.
B. Applicability. The provisions in this Chapter shall apply to detached non-habitable residential accessory structures on private property and shall be in addition to any other development standards contained elsewhere in the Zoning Code. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and any other provisions of this Title, the stricter regulation shall control. Generally, this Chapter regulates detached accessory structures that are larger than 120 square feet in size. For the purposes of this Zoning Code, residential accessory dwelling units (ADU’s) are governed by the requirements of Article 4 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) and are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter. Accessory structures shall not contain indoor cooking facilities (any combination of a sink, cooking apparatus, and refrigeration appliance) and shall not be designed for living or rental purposes.
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