Effect of Chapter
Santa Clara City Code § 18.42.020
in effectA. Content Neutrality. It is the City’s policy and intent to regulate both commercial and noncommercial signs from a viewpoint-neutral and content-neutral manner. The message of the sign shall not be read or evaluated, except to determine the type and category of the sign.
B. Message Substitution. Signs authorized by this Chapter are allowed to display noncommercial messages in lieu of any other commercial or noncommercial messages. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary within this Chapter. The purpose of this provision is to prevent an inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech or favoring of any specific noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message.
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