Santa Clara City Code ch. 18.26, Downtown Form-Based Code ch. 10 — Architectural Projections | Santa Clara City Code (Title 18, Zoning, July 2025 edition; partial) — Santa Clara

Santa Clara City Code ch. 18.26, Downtown Form-Based Code § 10.1 Intent

Certain Architectural Projections may be combined with appropriate private frontage types—as regulated in Chapter 9—to form interesting, cohesive, and active ground-floor environments. These may project from the facade—which is set within the build-to range per Chapter 5—into the front setback per the standards of Table 10-1.

Santa Clara City Code ch. 18.26, Downtown Form-Based Code § 10.2 Applicability

Table 10-1 identifies where these Architectural Projections are allowed and how much they may project. The General Standards below (Section 10.3 apply to all types, while Section 10.4 provides additional standards by type.

Santa Clara City Code ch. 18.26, Downtown Form-Based Code § 10.3 General Standards

Where utilized, these elements are subject to the following: A. Materials, style, design, and associated landscaping and other features shall be consistent with the building's architecture and neighborhood character. B. Architectural projections of traditionally-styled buildings shall have visible supports in the form of projecting beams or braces/brackets. C. An Architectural Projection shall be contained within a single Massing Increment; it shall not overlap the division between Massing Increments. This is a requirement of all architectural elements per Section 7.3. TABLE 10-1 ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTIONS Location1 Gallery Required & Gallery Allowed Overlays | Arcade Required Overlay | Main Street South | Elsewhere in Downtown Projection beyond the facade Type of Projection | Stoop | Not Allowed | Up to 2’ min. from ROW or sidewalk Porch | Not Allowed | 8’ min and up to 2’ min. from ROW or sidewalk2 Terrace | Not Allowed Dooryard | Not Allowed | 6’ min and up to 2’ min. from ROW or sidewalk Bay Window | 3’ max. Balcony | 5' max. 3 Awning/Canopy | 10' max. Roof Eave/Cornice Assembly | 5' max. Vertical Theater Marquee | See Section 11.3.H

Arcade	Not Allowed	15' min; 20' max.	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
Gallery	12' min; 15' max.	Not Allowed	Not Allowed	12' min; 15' max.

Notes 1 See Figure 10-1 for locations of Overlays and Main St South. 2 As a result, a Porch or Terrace may only occur within setbacks of 10' or more. 3 For occupiable balconies, the clear depth of occupiable space, measured from the balcony doors to the inside of balcony railing shall be 4'–6" minimum. Balconies may project and/or be recessed into the facade to maintain this minimum depth. See Section 10.4.F for more. FIGURE 10-1 | ARCADE & GALLERY OVERLAYS (See Sections 10.4.H & I for more standards) LEGEND & STANDARDS Gallery Required. Galleries are required to line a minimum of 50% of the length of each block in the Gallery Required Overlay. Gallery Allowed. Galleries are allowed to wrap the corners of blocks and extend onto North-South streets at these locations, provided that the building setback on the North-South street is adequate to allow the minimum required gallery projection dimension listed in Table 10-1. Arcade Required. Arcades shall line Central Green and have a public access easement, allowing them to serve as a continuous covered sidewalk around Central Green. Arcade Allowed. Arcades are permitted on buildings along Lafayette St to extend the sidewalk environment and create a welcoming edge to Downtown. Galleries at Franklin Square. If Franklin Square is relocated to this block per Precise Plan Figure 3–2, Galleries lining Franklin Square are optional. Galleries near the Theater. Any Gallery lining block B shall stop at least 20' away from any Theatre Marquee. Theater Marquee Projecting Roof Eave Bay Windows

Santa Clara City Code ch. 18.26, Downtown Form-Based Code § 10.4 Standards &

Guidelines by Type Most of the architectural projections types carry additional standards and guidelines. These are the Stoop, Porch, Terrace, Dooryard, Balcony, Awning/Canopy, Arcade, and Gallery, which are detailed here and on the following pages. Standards for Vertical Theater Marquees and other signs are including in the following chapter (see Chapter 11). 10.4.A. STOOP A Stoop is a stairway and landing leading directly from the right of way to an elevated building entrance.

Design Standards	MIN	MAX
A	Stoop width 4‘	8‘
B	Stoop depth (not including stairs) 4‘	8‘
C	Stoop floor height3 1.5	4‘
D	Planter/fence height (including - height of vegetation)	3‘
E	Entry Recession depth 0.5' 6‘
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• The exterior stairway may be perpendicular or parallel to the adjacent sidewalk. When parallel to the sidewalk, landscape of 2 feet should be provided between the side of stair and the sidewalk. • Adjoining stoops should be limited to two entries. A stoop may also provide access to a common entry. • Gates are discouraged.

10.4.B. PORCH Porches are roofed, unenclosed rooms attached to the exterior of a building that provide access and comfortable semi-private outdoor social spaces that help activate the public realm. Design Standards | MIN | MAX

A	Porch depth (excluding stairs)1	8'	-
B	Porch width	10'	-
C	Porch column height2	8.5'	12'
D	Floor height3	1.5'	4'
E	Between porch and front PL	2'	-
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• Porches may be used to provide access to multiple front doors of ground-floor units. • Porches may also wrap around building corners. This is particularly appropriate on corner lots.

Notes 1 Between building facade and end of porch deck. 2 From porch floor to top of porch columns. 3 Measured from grade at right of way. 10.4.C. TERRACE A Terrace is an enclosed area outside of an elevated ground floor, usually enclosed by a low wall or fence.

Design Standards	MIN	MAX
A	Depth, clear 8' -
B	Finish level above sidewalk - 4'
	Length of terrace - 50'
C	Distance between stairways - 50'
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• Door and window design should be appropriate for street-fronting facades.

10.4.D. DOORYARD A Dooryard is an enclosed area outside of an at grade first floor, usually enclosed by a low wall or fence.

Design Standards	MIN	MAX
A	Depth, clear 8' -
B	Finish level above sidewalk - 4'
	Length of dooryard - 30'
C	Distance between entrances - 50'
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• Door and window design should be appropriate for street-fronting facades.

10.4.E. BAY WINDOW | A B C | |---| A Bay Window functions like an enclosed balcony. An alcove-like portion of an interior space projects out from the facade.

Design Standards	MIN	MAX
A	Projection beyond facade - 3'
B	Width 4' 8'
C	Clear height above ground in Shopfront and Retail-Ready 12' - Overlays
D	Clear height above ground N/A - elsewhere
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• Bay windows shall not comprise more than 20% of a facade's surface area.

10.4.F. BALCONY A Balcony is a space projecting from an upper floor which is enclosed by a railing and accessible from a door or doors. An occupiable balcony provides usable outdoor space, while an unoccupiable balcony (or "Juliette" balcony) simply provides a railing so that doors on the facade can be opened, making the interior room itself feel like a balcony space. Design Standards | Occupiable Balcony | Juliette Balcony

MIN	MAX	MIN
A	Clear depth of occupiable space, measured from the 4.5' - balcony door(s) to inside of railing	N/A N/A
B	Projection beyond facade - 5'	- 1.5'
C	Width 4.5' 161	3' 10'
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• Occupiable balconies shall either project (see upper left image), be recessed into the facade, or a combination of the two (see upper middle image) in order to maintain the clear depth of occupiable space. • Balconies shall be functional and not just decorative. Door(s) shall give access to the balcony, the floor of the balcony shall align with the bottom of the balcony door, and balconies shall safely support the weight of its potential occupants. Faux (false) balconies, such as railings attached to the facade below windows, are prohibited. • Building tenant/homeowners association rules shall prohibit the use of balconies for storage. • Balconies may be located on facades facing streets, open spaces, and internal courts; balconies shall not be located on side and rear facades which overlook other private property.

Notes 1 Exception: Occupiable balconies that are completely recessed into the facade (they do not project beyond the facade) may be as wide as the Massing Increment in which they are located. 10.4.G. AWNING/CANOPY An Awning/Canopy is an overhang which extends from the facade to provide shade, protection from the rain, and character.

Design Standards	MIN	MAX
A	Clear height from sidewalk to lowest element of roof overhang (not including 9' - support bracket)
B	Clear height from sidewalk to bottom of support bracket connection to wall 7' -
C	Projection beyond facade (for ground level awnings/canopies) - 10'
Projection beyond facade (for upper level awnings/canopies) - 5'
D	Massing Length along facade - Increment1
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• The placement and structure of the awning shall correspond to the building's pattern of bays and ground floor openings. • It is encouraged to echo the proportions, slope, and structure of the historic Santa Clara awnings, whether expressed in a traditional or modern way (see image to the right).

Notes 1 See Chapter 7 for more on massing increments. Awnings/canopies of historic Downtown Santa Clara Awnings/canopies can also have a modern expression. ARCADES & GALLERIES: INTRODUCTION Covered sidewalks are a part of the history of California as well as Santa Clara, which had sidewalks sheltered by deep shade structures going back as far as the 1880s. Returning galleries, (porch-like structures attached to the building facade) back to Santa Clara's streetscape would not only make the retail experience on Franklin Street more pleasant and welcoming, but would be a way to include Santa Clara's heritage in everyday life. Arcades (extensions of upper floors over the sidewalk and held up by vertical supports) are another way to provide protection from the elements. In order to create a comfortable experience for shoppers, especially during the heat of the summer or in rain, arcades and galleries are required/allowed per Figure 10-1, and shall follow the standards in Sections 10.4.H & I. Gallery in Old Town Sacramento Arcade in San Francisco. Arcades around the Central Square in Seaside, Florida. 10.4.H. ARCADE Arcades are extensions of upper floors over the front ground floor setback area, supported by vertical supports. Arcades provide shade, glare control, and weather protection.

Design Standards	MIN	MAX
A	Projection beyond the facade1 15' 20'
B	Clear dimension from facade to inside of column 12' -
C	Maximum of 3' or 1/5th the Column/support width in any direction distance between columns, whichever is less.
D	Clear width of opening between columns 8' 18' 2
E	Clear height of opening 12' 3 25'
F	Overall height - 4 stories4
G	Massing Length along facade - Increment5
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• The ground level walkway space within an arcade may span one or two floors. • The openings of the Arcade shall correlate to the bays of the facade. • Vertical supports may be piers, columns, or arches; all arches within the same Massing Increment shall be equal. • Hanging light fixtures and hanging signs are allowed within the space of the Arcade as long as a minimum height clearance of 9 feet is maintained. • Objects such as dining tables and chairs, sidewalk signs, and merchandising racks are allowed within the space of the Arcade, subject to Section 9.3.C.

Notes 1 Along Central Green: the face of the Arcade shall be set at the edge of the required dimension of the Central Green as mapped in Precise Plan Figure 3-2 (see Chapter 4 of this Code); therefore, the Arcade projection dimension shall match the building setback (see Table 5-2). Along Lafayette St: the face of any Arcade shall be set 6 feet from the property line; therefore, the Arcade projection dimension shall be 6 feet less than the building setback (see Table 5-2). 2 Column spacing shall be less than or equal to the clear height of the opening. 3 The clear height excludes decorative brackets, spandrels, and/or lower portions of arches. 4 Along Central Green: only floors 2, 3, and 4 may extend over the arcade. Any floor above the 4th floor shall be set back at least 15' from the Central Green (at least as far back as the ground floor facade). Along Lafayette St: all allowed upper floors may extend over the arcade. 5 Arcades shall line the entire perimeter of the Central Green. However, if there is a change in building or Massing Increment, the Arcade should change accordingly to match the design of its building/ increment. See Chapter 7 for more on Massing Increments. 10.4.I. GALLERY Galleries are appendages to building facades that extend over the front ground floor setback area, providing shade for pedestrians and often providing terrace space above.

Design Standards	MIN	MAX
A	Projection beyond the facade 12' 15'
B	Column width in any direction 4" 1'
C	Column spacing (on center) 8' 1 18' 2
D	Clear height of opening 12' 25'
E	Overall height from sidewalk to eave - 30'
F	Massing Length along facade - Increment3
Additional Standards & Guidelines
• Galleries may be single or double-story and shall correlate with building floors. • The openings of the gallery shall correlate in a logical way to the bays of the facade. • It is encouraged to echo the proportions and function of the historic Santa Clara Galleries, whether expressed in a traditional or modern way. • In California, most historic galleries are modest shed roof structures supported by wood piers. New galleries can present a similar aesthetic by using thinner structural members, including heavy timber or composite wood columns (often 6"x6" or 8"x8") or steel I-beam or tubular columns. • Fiberglass or plaster piers/columns are prohibited in galleries. • Unless the attached building is a neoclassical design, column designs from the classical orders are inappropriate for use on galleries and are prohibited for this context. • Hanging light fixtures and hanging signs are allowed within the space of the gallery as long as a minimum height clearance of 9 feet is maintained. • Objects such as dining tables and chairs, sidewalk signs, and merchandising racks are allowed within the space of the Gallery, subject to Section 9.3.C.

Notes 1 Coupled columns that are located within 3 feet of each other are exempt from the minimum spacing requirement. 2 Column spacing should typically be less than or equal to the clear height of the opening. Column spacing shall never exceed 1.4 times the height of the opening. 3 A gallery should typically span most/all of a Massing Increment. See Chapter 7 for more on massing increments. Historic galleries use slender posts. Galleries could be combined with parklets, awnings, and canopies. Galleries may be up to 2 stories in height and may have balconies above.