Appeal Subjects and Jurisdiction
Santa Clara City Code § 18.144.020
in effectA. Zoning Code Administration. The following determinations, and enforcement actions of the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission, which shall serve as the final Review Authority for Director appeals:
1. Determinations. Any determination that a permit application or information submitted with the application cannot be accepted or is incomplete, in compliance with Government Code Section 65943; or
2. Enforcement Actions. Any enforcement action filed in compliance with Chapter 18.152 (Enforcement Provisions).
B. Planning Permit Decisions.
1. Director’s Decisions. Any decision of the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission, which shall serve as the final Review Authority for appeals of the Director.
2. Planning Commission’s Decisions. With the exception of appeals of Director’s Decisions, any decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Council, which shall serve as the final Review Authority for appeals of the Planning Commission.
3. Appeals Regarding Architectural Reviews of Single-Family Residences.
a. The Planning Commission shall serve as the appeal body for all Director decisions on Architectural Reviews of single-family residences.
b. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, in the event that the Planning Commission decision is also appealed, the Council shall serve as the final Review Authority for all Planning Commission decisions on Architectural Reviews of single-family residences.
4. Appeals Regarding All Other Architectural Reviews. The Council shall serve as the final Review Authority for all Director decisions on all other Architectural Reviews.
5. No Further Appeals are Available. No further appeals ae available.
C. CEQA Decisions.
1. Any CEQA determination of the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission, which shall serve as the final Review Authority for appeals of the Director. Further appeals to the Council are not permitted.
2. Subject to Subparagraph 1., any CEQA determination of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Council, which shall serve as the final Review Authority for appeals of the Planning Commission.
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